If you’ve ever felt like your brain is moving through molasses, your to-do list is shouting at you, and no amount of caffeine can bring you back to life—this episode is for you. In this raw and real conversation, Dr. Jolene Brighten breaks down the science, the lived experience, and the hormonal chaos behind ADHD burnout. Especially for women in perimenopause, burnout hits harder, lasts longer, and is often misunderstood by everyone—including your doctors. This isn’t just about feeling tired. It’s about the slow, invisible unraveling of your executive function, emotional regulation, and ability to feel joy. And it's made worse by fluctuating estrogen, relentless life stress, and decades of masking in a neurotypical world. You’ll learn how to recognize ADHD burnout symptoms before they take over, what the 5 stages of burnout actually look like in real life, and the most effective tools for ADHD burnout recovery—without toxic positivity, shame, or one-size-fits-all advice. 🎙️ SPONSORSHIP LINKS Dr. Brighten Essentials: https://drbrightenessentials.com  use code POD15 for 15% off  LMNT Electrolytes: http://drinklmnt.com/Brighten receive your exclusive gift with purchase – Helping you support your child’s development with science-backed products. Sunlighten Saunas: https://get.sunlighten.com/drbrighten use the code drbrighten to save up to $1,400 on your sauna purchase. Pulsetto  Support our sponsors and help keep this show free and packed with amazing guests! 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:  Free 5-Day Mini Course: ADHD Hormone + Brain Sync by Dr. Brighten https://drbrighten.com/sync/  Podcast Episode on Sleep + ADHD https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/adhd-sleep-hormones/ Podcast Episode on GABA and Anxiety https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/struggling-with-sleep-amp-anxiety/ Podcast Episode on Vagus Nerve Stimulation https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/why-you-need-to-stimulate-vagus-nerve/ Research: ADHD and Co-occurring Autism (70% statistic) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8918663/ 🔥 CONNECT WITH DR. JOLENE BRIGHTEN 💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com 📸  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten 🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten 🌟 Grab my free perimenopause hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/plan/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices