Issue 6

What You're About to Discover

  • Unlocking the Success Advantage of High Achievers
  • Navigating the Social Maze
  • The Collision of Perimenopause and ADHD
  • ​High Level Athletes and ADHD: Is There a Link?​

Professional

UNLOCKING THE SUCCESS ADVANTAGE OF HIGH ACHIEVERS

ADHD is often seen negatively, but many successful people consider it a source of unique strengths.

Qualities like hyperfocus, passion, determination, risk-taking, optimism, and imagination can contribute to notable achievements across various fields.

Well-known individuals such as entrepreneurs Richard Branson and Bill Gates, entertainers like Adam Levine, athletes including Michael Phelps, and chefs such as Jamie Oliver, all have or are speculated to have ADHD.

These traits can sometimes give people with ADHD an edge, allowing them to excel and innovate in their respective domains. Recognizing and valuing the positive aspects of ADHD is important, as diverse cognitive styles greatly enrich society.

Successful People with ADHD

Personal

NAVIGATING THE SOCIAL MAZE

Neurodivergence can complicate friendships due to impulsivity and inattention, yet it also brings unique qualities that enhance relationships.


The Challenges:

Disorganization and forgetfulness can make keeping appointments and commitments tough.

Impulsivity may lead to oversharing, which can be off-putting.

Listening challenges can strain conversations and lead to misunderstandings.

Time management issues can result in last-minute cancellations, appearing unreliable.


The Upsides:

ADHD can offer novel and creative perspectives in friendships.

Hyperfocus on shared interests can deepen bonds.

A natural sense of humor and spontaneity can add fun to any friendship.

High levels of empathy among those with ADHD can foster strong emotional connections.

It's about finding balance and understanding. Embracing the strengths while acknowledging and working on the challenges can lead to lasting and rewarding friendships.

ADHD Friendships

Physical

THE COLLISION OF PERIMENOPAUSE AND ADHD

Perimenopause & ADHD: A Personal Perspective

Before the world paused in early 2020, I found myself struggling with an unfamiliar rage. This escalation of emotion, along with other symptoms like severe brain fog and sleep issues, pointed to a storm brewing within me: perimenopause.

This phase, while a natural part of aging, can come with a cocktail of symptoms that range from mild to severe, including depression and anxiety. For me, these were compounded by what I suspected was undiagnosed ADHD—a condition I may have unknowingly managed through a highly active lifestyle. The hormonal turbulence of perimenopause threw this delicate balance into disarray, amplifying my ADHD symptoms.

As I dove into research, I was struck by the scarcity of resources despite the vast number of women affected. It led me to question why these conversations aren't more common.

Sharing this journey is vital. Here's what I learned:

Estrogen Fluctuations Affect Cognitive Function: The ebb and flow of estrogen during perimenopause can mimic and intensify ADHD symptoms, from forgetfulness to poor focus.

Symptom Overlap Can Confuse Diagnosis: Mood swings, irritability, and sleep disturbances are common to both, making it harder to identify the root cause.

Perimenopause Can Exacerbate ADHD: The hormonal shifts can worsen impulsiveness and inattention, affecting work and relationships.

Strategies for Management: Combining hormone therapy, ADHD medications, organizational techniques, and support systems can help manage symptoms.

My journey through perimenopause and grappling with ADHD symptoms has been complex, but it's a narrative shared by many. By openly discussing our experiences and sharing resources, we can empower ourselves and others to navigate this challenging time with grace and knowledge.

How Does Perimenopause Impact ADHD Symptoms

Playful

HIGH LEVEL ATHLETES AND ADHD: IS THERE A LINK?

Sports are often recommended for managing ADHD symptoms, and recent research suggests a higher prevalence of ADHD among athletes. This condition may even provide an edge in sports due to traits like hyperfocus.


Key Points:

Regular exercise can improve focus and reduce impulsivity in those with ADHD.

Studies suggest 4-8% of high school athletes and 7% of college athletes have ADHD, higher than in the general population.

ADHD traits like quick decision-making could benefit fast-paced sports.

Olympians Simone Biles and Michael Phelps have ADHD and attribute part of their success to sports helping manage their symptoms.

This emerging research challenges us to rethink how ADHD intersects with athletic performance and its management within sports.

That one athlete who never pays attention while you’re explaining the workout

Book Club

The ADHD Guide to Career Success

Just as the classroom poses the greatest challenges for children and teens with ADHD, the workplace is the arena where Adult ADHD poses the greatest threat.

And while adults with ADHD are likely to face professional challenges, it is possible to cultivate a work environment that enables them to thrive and uses the strengths of this unique condition to their advantage.

Featuring a large open format with summaries at the beginning of each chapter and designed with the ADHD reader in mind, this newly revised and updated edition offers an easy-to-follow progression of useful information interwoven with practical strategies for career success.

I'm excited about all the ideas I have for this newsletter...and I can't wait to share them with all of YOU! Thank-you all so much for joining me on this journey.

With Love,

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