ADHD, Naturally: Smart Solutions for Holistic Women

ADHD in women has historically been underrepresented and misunderstood, leading to many women being undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Christine MacCarroll welcomes Sari Solden, a pioneer in the field of ADHD research for women, to discuss the unique challenges women face and the importance of recognizing their experiences. They delve into the significant impact of societal expectations and the internalized shame that often accompanies ADHD in women. Sari shares her journey of writing groundbreaking books and emphasizes the need for a supportive, humanistic approach in therapy and diagnosis. Together, they explore the evolving conversation around ADHD, highlighting the empowering connections women are forging through shared experiences and self-advocacy.

Takeaways:

• ADHD in girls often goes undetected, underscoring the need for increased teacher awareness.
• Sari Solden's pioneering work highlights the unique challenges women face with ADHD.
• Many women internalize shame regarding their ADHD symptoms, impacting their self-esteem and relationships.
• The importance of community and support groups for women self-identifying with ADHD cannot be overstated.
• Understanding one's own ADHD experience is crucial for effective self-advocacy and boundary-setting.

Books by Sari Soldin:

• Women with Attention Deficit Disorder
• Journeys Through ADDulthood
• A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD

Get FocusFlower! A brand new, all-natural supplement to support a feeling of focus and flow.

• yourfocusflower.com

Christine McCarroll reveals a significant personal journey in this episode as she discusses her struggles with focus and the development of a new supplement aimed at supporting a feeling a focus. After years of trial and error with various strategies and products, she has finally found a combination that works for her and her daughter, focusing on the amino acids theanine and tyrosine, as well as a unique botanical ingredient. Christine shares her experiences with the "focus graveyard," a metaphor for the many unsuccessful attempts she made to improve her concentration. Her insights shed light on the internal battles faced by many intelligent women dealing with focus issues, highlighting the disconnect between external accomplishments and internal struggles. Listeners can look forward to the official unveiling of her new product in the next episode.

Takeaways:

• Christine shares her personal journey with ADHD and the struggles of maintaining focus.
• She introduces the concept of the 'focus graveyard', representing failed attempts at enhancing concentration.
• The episode highlights the significance of amino acids, starting with theanine, in improving focus.
• The podcast discusses how external achievements often mask internal struggles with focus and anxiety.
• Listeners are encouraged to stay tuned for the official unveiling of the new product.

What if a natural supplement could enhance your mental clarity and focus almost instantly? Christine McCarroll explores the world of amino acids and their potential as powerful brain boosters in this enlightening episode. She shares her personal journey with amino acids, highlighting their role as both functional and bridge supports for mental health, especially for individuals with ADHD. Delving into the biochemistry of how amino acids serve as precursors to neurotransmitters, Christine emphasizes their immediate effects and the importance of targeted supplementation. With practical insights and historical context, she invites listeners to consider amino acids as a viable option for enhancing their cognitive function and emotional well-being.

Takeaways:

• Amino acids can serve as bridge supports, providing immediate benefits while working on foundational changes.
• Understanding neurotransmitters and their precursors is crucial for supporting mental clarity and focus.
• Christine shares her personal journey with amino acids and their impact on her mental health.
• This episode emphasizes the importance of amino acids as both functional and bridge supports in health.

Over half of Americans take a multivitamin every day, but vitamins and minerals are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to supporting your health, especially for women with ADHD. Christine McCarroll dives into the foundational role that micronutrients play in cellular health and overall wellness, emphasizing the necessity of high-quality food and supplements for optimal function. She discusses the importance of both macro and micronutrients, highlighting how deficiencies can lead to fatigue and impaired brain function. Christine introduces the concepts of functional supports and bridge supports, explaining how certain supplements can provide immediate relief while also enhancing long-term health. This episode is packed with insights into the significance of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, offering listeners practical advice to feel better naturally and effectively.

Takeaways:

• Over half of Americans take a multivitamin daily, but vitamins are just the start.
• Nutrition is crucial for our bodies to function properly, impacting cellular health significantly.
• High-quality food and micronutrients like vitamins and minerals are essential for overall health.
• Some supplements support foundational health, while others help symptoms more directly.

We live in a world abundant with food, yet many of us face the paradox of being overfed but undernourished. In this episode, we dive into the complexities of nutrition, emphasizing that relying solely on food may not always meet our dietary needs. Modern agricultural practices often lead to nutrient-depleted crops and animal products, leaving us with significant nutritional gaps. Add to this the rise of ultra-processed foods and changing lifestyles that increase our nutritional demands, and it becomes clear why supplementation plays a crucial role in achieving optimal health. Throughout the season, we’ll explore the importance of supplements alongside a food-first approach, sharing insights into how we can better support our bodies in today's challenging dietary landscape.

Takeaways:

• The modern food environment leads to being overfed but undernourished, impacting our health.
• Crops today lack essential nutrients due to poor agricultural practices and monocropping.
• Even if we eat whole foods, the nutrients may not be present in our food.
• Supplementation can fill the nutrient gaps caused by modern diets and lifestyles.
• Changing your diet takes time; it may take years to fully replenish nutrient deficiencies.
• Generational dietary changes have led to a gradual decline in health over time.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pottenger's Cats on YouTube

ADHD symptoms in women can be significantly influenced by hormonal fluctuations, particularly during stages such as perimenopause and menopause. It's crucial for women to understand the connection between their hormones and brain function. Recognize how estrogen and progesterone interact with neurotransmitters like dopamine, which plays a key role in focus and motivation. By understanding these dynamics, women can better navigate their ADHD challenges and explore natural strategies for support.

Takeaways:

• ADHD has historically been mischaracterized as a disorder predominantly affecting boys and men.
• Women's hormonal fluctuations significantly influence ADHD symptoms, particularly during the menstrual cycle.
• Late diagnoses of ADHD in women often coincide with hormonal changes related to perimenopause.
• Estrogen plays a crucial role in enhancing dopamine function, which is vital for focus.
• Insulin resistance and thyroid health are critical factors that can exacerbate ADHD symptoms in women.
• Identifying hormonal imbalances can help women better manage their ADHD and overall brain health.

Links referenced in this episode:

• getabossbrain.com
• Grab labs to check out hormone health

Your gut health plays a crucial role in managing ADHD symptoms, particularly during perimenopause and menopause. Let's look at the fascinating connection between the gut, hormones, and brain function, including how neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine are largely produced in the digestive system. Many practitioners overlook the impact of gut health on mental health, which can lead to exacerbated ADHD symptoms. By understanding and addressing these connections, you can take control of your gut health and enhance your overall brain function.

Takeaways:

• The gut-brain connection is crucial for understanding ADHD symptoms and overall brain health.
• During menopause, hormonal changes can disrupt gut health, impacting ADHD symptoms significantly.
• Chewing food thoroughly aids digestion and nutrient absorption, benefiting gut function and mental clarity.
• Probiotic foods like yogurt and sauerkraut can enhance gut bacteria balance
• Women with ADHD often experience more digestive issues, highlighting the need for gut health attention.
• Functional lab assessments can uncover hidden gut issues affecting mental health and hormone processing.

Links referenced in this episode:

• getabossbrain.com
• Grab labs for checking into your own gut function

Persistent toxins in our environment can quietly accumulate in our bodies, leading to increased struggles for women with ADHD, including more mental fog and reduced focus. This episode delves into the critical importance of detoxification and how it can help women manage their ADHD symptoms more effectively. Throughout the episode, listeners will learn about practical strategies for reducing toxic exposure, including food choices and environmental adjustments, as well as the significance of active and passive detoxification methods. By understanding these concepts, women can take actionable steps to support their health and well-being, ultimately aiming for a clearer, more focused mind.

Links referenced in this episode:

Get a Boss Brain

Test Your Body

Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen – Check out the Environmental Working Group's annual list that highlights the most pesticide-laden produce and the cleanest options: EWG’s 2024 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce​

Skin Deep Database – This tool from EWG allows you to search and assess the safety of cosmetics and personal care products: EWG Skin Deep Database​

Think Dirty App – Think Dirty is an app that scans and rates cosmetic products for potentially harmful ingredients. You can download it for Android or iOS to check product ratings on the go: Think Dirty on iOS and Android.

Up to 50% of women with ADHD struggle with sleep, and this issue can become even more pronounced during perimenopause and post-menopause. This episode delves into the intersection of ADHD and sleep challenges, highlighting how hormonal fluctuations can exacerbate existing sleep dysregulation. Sleep deprivation can significantly worsen ADHD symptoms, including focus, emotional regulation, and overall brain function.

Strategies for improving sleep hygiene are discussed, such as establishing a bedtime routine, minimizing blue light exposure, and recognizing the importance of morning sunlight. Ultimately, prioritizing sleep is presented not as a luxury, but as a necessity for better cognitive function and emotional well-being.

Navigating the dual challenges of ADHD and sleep disturbances is a crucial topic for many women experiencing the hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause.

ADHD and insomnia create a “perfect storm,” leading to compounded issues such as distraction, fatigue, and brain fog. Effective sleep management strategies are a foundational aspect of addressing ADHD symptoms.

Genetic and hormonal factors influence sleep. Gain valuable insights into the biological mechanisms that underlie sleep issues and get a framework for understanding how sleep directly impacts cognitive processes like focus and emotional regulation.

Takeaways:

• Up to 50% of women with ADHD face significant challenges with sleep, especially during perimenopause.
• The drop in progesterone during perimenopause can severely disrupt sleep patterns for many women.
• Sleep deprivation exacerbates ADHD symptoms, leading to increased brain fog and emotional dysregulation.
• Creating a structured bedtime routine is essential for improving sleep quality and overall brain function.
• Women often experience 'revenge bedtime procrastination,' where they delay sleep to enjoy personal time.
• Getting natural sunlight exposure in the morning can help regulate sleep-wake cycles effectively.

Links:

Whoop strap (affiliate)

Get a Boss Brain