Feeling like your brain has left the chat? In this episode, we explore the messy intersection of burnout, executive dysfunction, and perimenopausal brain fog in neurodivergent women. We’re calling out the dangerous “adult-onset ADHD” myth, unpacking the hormonal crash behind your midlife identity crisis, and offering practical, punk-fueled validation.

💥 What You’ll Learn:

• The real reason ADHD often gets diagnosed in midlife

• How menopause-related hormone shifts disrupt your neurodivergent brain

• Why executive dysfunction isn’t laziness or lack of motivation

• How to differentiate burnout from neurological shutdown

• Why rest isn’t always enough—and what else to try

🔍 Topics We Cover:

• Estrogen-dopamine interplay and brain fog

• Executive dysfunction vs. physical fatigue

• Capitalist productivity traps and the myth of bounce-back

• Diagnosis denial, medical gaslighting, and wellness misinformation

• Reclaiming self-awareness, neurodivergence, and your time

💊 Meds & Support Mentioned:

• Wellbutrin

• ADHD stimulants (contextually discussed)

• Restorative practices (non-productivity-based)

📚 Resources + Shoutouts:

• Unmasking Autism by Dr. Devon Price

• Burnout: The Podcast by Emily & Amelia Nagoski

• Ramsay & Rostain (2016). Clinical Psychology Review

• Louise Newson, British Menopause Society

📱 Follow + Connect:
→ DM us your ragey brain fog stories @adhdperipunks on IG and TikTok
→ Share this episode with a friend who's questioning everything
→ Rate = comment + review to help us smash stigma and reach more ND midlifers

Summary

Midlife exhaustion hits different when you’re neurodivergent—and in this episode of ADHD PeriPunks, we break down the tangled mess of burnout, executive dysfunction, and menopause brain fog. Sarah and Chrissy dive into what happens when ADHD or autism collides with perimenopause, and why the collapse of your coping strategies isn’t a failure—it’s biology.

We dismantle the myth of “adult-onset ADHD” (nope, not a thing), explore how hormonal changes disrupt neurotransmitter function—especially dopamine and estrogen—and explain why so many women finally reach diagnosis in midlife. We also cover the subtle but important differences between physical fatigue and neurological shutdown, and why rest alone won’t fix what’s actually executive dysfunction.

This episode validates the hell out of ND women who are feeling broken, exhausted, or confused—and arms you with the science, language, and community you need to make sense of it all. Plus, we rant (lovingly) about misinformation in the wellness world, the pressure to be “productive,” and how capitalism gaslights women into ignoring our very real neurological needs.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I burned out, or is my brain just not braining?”—this one’s for you.

Keywords:ADHD executive dysfunction vs burnout, menopause brain fog ADHD, perimenopause fatigue neurodivergence, late ADHD diagnosis women, estrogen dopamine and ADHD, neurodivergent women midlife, adult ADHD myths, mental health perimenopause, cognitive overload ADHD, hormonal changes and brain function

If you’ve ever had to leave a room because the lights were too bright, someone’s perfume felt like a personal attack, or the sound of chewing made you want to crawl out of your skin—this one’s for you. In this episode of ADHD PeriPunks, Sarah and Chrissy unpack the chaotic reality of sensory overload in neurodivergent women during perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.

We explore how lifelong sensory sensitivities linked to ADHD and autism often intensify during midlife, thanks to plummeting estrogen levels and disrupted dopamine regulation. From clothes that suddenly feel like torture devices to crowded restaurants that trigger full-body shutdowns, we break down how hormonal shifts magnify sensory processing issues—and why it’s not “just aging.”

We also dive into the science of sensory gating, midlife hormone chaos, and how masking and chronic stress contribute to sensory burnout. Most importantly, we talk about how to advocate for your sensory needs without shame. Whether it’s ditching your bra, investing in noise-canceling headphones, or saying “hell no” to overstimulating social plans—this episode is your permission slip to stop tolerating sensory misery.

Expect rants, real talk, research-backed insight, and punk-fueled validation.

Keywords:
ADHD sensory overload, menopause and sensory sensitivity, autism perimenopause, estrogen dopamine ADHD, neurodivergent women and hormones, sensory processing issues midlife, overstimulation in perimenopause, hormone-related sensory changes, ADHD menopause strategies, sensory regulation women's health

📚 Shoutouts & Resources:

• Book: Divergent Mind by Jenara Nerenberg

• Podcast: The Sensory Project Show

• Research: Mather, M., & Goldstein, J. M. (2015). “Effects of Hormone Therapy on Sensory and Cognitive Function.” Journal of Neuroscience.

In this episode, Chrissy and Sarah throw down about how ADHD time blindness and peri/menopause brain fog join forces to create what we’re calling time dysmorphia. And here’s the thing: it’s not just inconvenient—it can absolutely fuck with your ability to hold onto who you are. We discuss the challenges of navigating time perception, memory loss, and identity and let you in on three things: 1) Time perception can be significantly altered during perimenopause. 2) Hormonal fluctuations can impact memory and cognitive function. and 3) Grief can exacerbate feelings of identity loss and memory issues. SO, if you are feeling like time is slipping away from you and/or are experiencing memory blips and cognitive fog, get in there now! This one's for you.