Karee Dunn, LIMHP Presents: They're Not Glitching - Their Brain Is Just in a Group Chat with PTSD, ADHD, and Menopause
(Pre-Recorded, Available All Month Long!)
This presentation will discuss the sometimes troublesome trio of ADHD, PTSD, and perimenopause/menopause, how to better spot these challenges, and what to do next. Emerging research and clinical observation highlight an under recognized intersection in women’s mental health: ADHD is frequently under diagnosed in women, particularly those with trauma histories, and symptoms often intensify during the hormonal transitions of perimenopause and menopause. ADHD in females commonly presents with internalized symptoms such as inattention, emotional dysregulation, executive functioning challenges, and chronic overwhelm—features that often overlap with trauma-related and mood disorder presentations, contributing to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis.
Hormonal changes associated with perimenopause and menopause may further complicate this clinical picture. Fluctuations in estrogen can influence dopamine regulation, stress response systems, sleep, and emotional processing, often amplifying both ADHD and PTSD symptoms in midlife women. When these factors converge, symptoms may interact and intensify, leading to increased distress and functional impairment.
Understanding and accurately diagnosing these overlapping presentations is essential for developing evidence-based treatment plans, avoiding pathologizing normal neurobiological responses, and making appropriate referrals for integrative care, including medical, psychiatric, and holistic supports that address the full scope of women’s mental health needs.
This is a pre-recorded presentation, which you will receive access to once you have registered. Information will be sent via your registration email, including the video link, quiz link, and handouts. Please complete the quiz included in your registration email by no later than 5pm on March 31st, 2026 to receive your CE certificate. CE certificates will be sent automatically when you complete and pass the quiz (8/10 correct). You may take the quiz as many times is necessary to pass.
Interested in presenting? Contact us at nca@necounseling.org or complete this form: https://forms.gle/dWXMYAdQJHZaV3Y68
Photo courtesy of A. Hixon Photography
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