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ADHD Symptoms Intensified by Early Menopause Post-Cancer
3 Jul
Summary
- ADHD diagnosis at 43 followed early menopause from cancer treatment.
- Menopause symptoms amplified ADHD, impacting a successful career.
- Support group ADHDAF+ helps women navigate ADHD and menopause challenges.
A woman diagnosed with ADHD at 43 attributes her late diagnosis to early menopause, a result of her breast cancer treatment. Gill Charlton, now 46, found that her ADHD symptoms became significantly more pronounced while undergoing treatment and managing her mental health. Previously having had a successful career, she experienced a decline in functioning.
Dr. Helen Wall, a GP, is advocating for increased awareness and training to support women diagnosed with ADHD as they enter menopause. She explains that while menopause is inherently challenging, it can feel particularly destabilizing for individuals with ADHD. Gill herself experienced this, with her ADHD symptoms becoming prominent only after commencing medication that induced early clinical menopause.
Gill now leads ADHDAF+ in Manchester, a support group that provides vital community for those affected. The charity operates 13 groups nationwide, with four in northwest England. She emphasizes the profound impact of community support, citing an example of a businesswoman whose career collapsed due to undiagnosed ADHD exacerbated by perimenopause, highlighting the crucial need for such support systems.
