Sarah West I Certified ADHD Coach

24/11/2025

I met this lovely group of women in Exeter on Saturday!

I wanted to say a genuine thank you to Mel De Souza for inviting me to join a brilliant support group that she runs for women who have ADHD, it was such a privilege to spend time with these women and hear their stories.

We spoke about what it is actually like to live with ADHD during perimenopause, the long waits for assessment, the gap between what women know about themselves and what the system reflects back, and the quiet grief that comes with recognising how many years were shaped by something that was always there but not recognised.

We also touched on the ongoing invalidation many women still face, particularly when some healthcare professionals do not fully understand how ADHD presents in women or how perimenopause shows up in real life.

What stood out most was the honesty, kindness and support for each woman in that room, with women sharing experiences that have so often been dismissed or invalidated, recognising familiar patterns in one another’s stories and finding comfort and solidarity in feeling understood.

Thank you again to Mel and to everyone who came along. It reminded me, once again, why community matters so much and why these spaces are needed.

(Photo shared with consent)

19/11/2025

Why more research is urgently needed for women who have ADHD

So many women who I work with who are struggling with ADHD and the perimenopause also report having suffered from hormonal impacts during their lifetimes, such as PMDD and post natal depression.

Early studies suggest links between ADHD and PMDD, postnatal depression and anxiety, and increased difficulties during perimenopause and menopause.

Unfortunately, research in this area is still limited, with much of the current evidence being small scale, cross sectional, or based on self report.

There are several areas where we urgently need more high quality research, including:
• ADHD and postnatal depression, including whether women who experience this are more likely to be neurodivergent
• ADHD and PMDD, and why some women experience more severe premenstrual symptoms
• ADHD and the perimenopause or menopause, and why symptoms can intensify so dramatically
• Links between severe postpartum psychosis and ADHD or wider neurodivergence
• How hormonal changes affect emotional regulation, sleep, memory, and executive functioning
• How HRT may influence ADHD symptoms in midlife
• The experiences of women who suspect they have ADHD but remain undiagnosed during these transitions

These gaps raise an important question about whether women with ADHD or other forms of neurodivergence may be more predisposed to hormonal conditions.

Until we have clearer evidence, many women will continue to fall through the gaps, and stronger research is essential if we want to reduce misdiagnosis, improve clinical understanding, and build treatment pathways that lead to meaningful outcomes. We need evidence that reflects women’s real lived experiences rather than relying on outdated assumptions.

I would love to hear which research areas you feel are still missing and what you wish clinicians better understood about ADHD and hormones.

17/11/2025

I am so chuffed to share some exciting news!!

Last week I was named Start Up of the Year at the annual Devon Women in Business awards, with a highly commended recognition in the Customer Service Excellence category.

When I launched Sarah West ADHD Thrive Together, my aim was to create something meaningful for women navigating ADHD and perimenopause. I have put so much work into building a service that feels supportive, evidence based, authentic, and rooted in lived experience, so having this recognised means a great deal.

I started my business after one of the hardest periods of my life, when my ADHD and the perimenopause collided and everything fell apart. After starting HRT and getting the right ADHD support, things began to change, and I realised how many women were experiencing the same thing. Retraining as an ADHD coach became the natural next step, and my background as a senior nurse helped me create something grounded and genuine.

Since launching the business, I have met so many incredible people, collaborated with brilliant organisations, and built connections that mean a lot to me.

Thank you to every woman who has trusted me with their story and engaged with the work I am doing. You are the reason this business exists.

And thank you to Devon Women in Business for recognising the hard work and the future potential of what I am building.

Well done to all the finalists and winners. Devon has an amazing community of women doing important work, and it was a privilege to be there.

11/11/2025

Is the general understanding of dopamine and its effects on ADHD completely wrong?

Many people still believe ADHD is simply caused by “low dopamine.” But recent evidence points towards something more accurate and far more helpful.

Rather than a blanket shortage, research suggests that the dopamine system in ADHD is dysregulated (Badgaiyan et al., 2015, Sikström and Söderlund, 2022, MacDonald et al., 2024).

The baseline signal, known as tonic dopamine, can be lower, and the task-related bursts, known as phasic dopamine, can be more uneven or less well regulated (ADxS.org, n.d.).

A useful analogy is thinking of the brain’s dopamine system like a Wi-Fi connection. The signal is there, but it can be unstable, dropping in and out, or spiking at the wrong times. ADHD medication does not add dopamine, it helps the signal stay more consistent so the brain can use it more effectively (Badgaiyan et al., 2015).

This model feels more accurate and compassionate, especially for women in perimenopause and menopause, where fluctuating hormone levels create a double whammy, as not only is dopamine production affected, but also how it is used, taken up, and regulated in the brain (MacDonald et al., 2024).

Do you think this model makes more sense than the generalised “low dopamine” explanation that is often shared online? I would love to hear your thoughts.




References
Badgaiyan, R.D., Sinha, S., Sajjad, M. and Wack, D.S. (2015) ‘Attenuated tonic and enhanced phasic release of dopamine in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder’, PLoS ONE, 10(3), e0117530. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4589406/

MacDonald, H.J., Kleppe, R. and Szigetvari, P.D. (2024) ‘The dopamine hypothesis for ADHD: An evaluation of evidence accumulated from human studies and animal models’, Neuroscience and Biobehavioural Reviews, 156, pp. 318–330. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11604610/

Sikström, S. and Söderlund, G. (2022) ‘Stimulus dependent dopamine release in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder’, Psychological Review. Available at:https://www.gu.se/sites/default/files/2022-11/GS%20Psych%20Rev.pdf

10/11/2025

Is burnout more common in those who are neurodivergent?

A couple of years ago I hit a level of burnout that stopped me completely.

I had been holding too much for too long while working as a senior nurse, supporting my two neurodivergent children, running a home, and clearing the house of a close relative who had recently passed away. From the outside I looked organised. Inside everything was collapsing. Eventually my GP signed me off work and it took me months to recover.

Burnout is now recognised as a major issue and research shows neurodivergent adults experience it more frequently and more intensely than neurotypical adults.

One UK survey found that half of neurodivergent employees reported burnout compared with 38 percent of neurotypical workers (WTW, 2023). Another study found that more than 40 percent of neurodivergent workers were already experiencing burnout (Our Community, 2024).

Autistic burnout is increasingly understood as severe, long lasting, and linked to chronic stress and a mismatch between demands and available resources (Raymaker et al., 2020, National Autistic Society, 2023).

For women with ADHD the story is more complex. Masking, emotional load, late diagnosis, and hormonal changes all appear to increase burnout risk, though large scale studies focusing specifically on women are still missing (Hull et al., 2020, Nadeau, 2020, NICE, 2024).

Recovery can take months or even years for neurodivergent adults (Raymaker et al., 2020). The lack of large scale data makes it difficult to quantify exact timelines but the lived experience shows that it is not a quick fix.

Does any of this resonate with your experience? Have you lived through burnout yourself or seen it in someone close to you?
What helped your recovery or what support do you wish you had at the time?



References

Hull, L., Petrides, K. V. and Mandy, W. (2020) ‘The female autism phenotype and camouflaging’, Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 7(4), pp. 306–317.

Nadeau, K. (2020) Understanding Women with ADHD. Washington DC: American Psychological Association.

National Autistic Society (2023) Autistic Burnout Guidance. Available at: https://www.autism.org.uk

NICE (2024) Menopause: diagnosis and management (NG23). London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Our Community (2024) Burnout Risk for Neurodivergent Workers Report. Available at: https://www.communitydirectors.com.au

Raymaker, D. M. et al. (2020) ‘Having a hard time is not unique to autistic people but the cause is: a qualitative analysis of autistic burnout’, Autism in Adulthood, 2(2), pp. 132–143.

WTW (2023) Global Benefits Attitude Survey. Available at: https://www.wtwco.com

05/11/2025

I’m really chuffed to have been asked back again by ADHD UK to continue running my monthly webinars on ADHD and the perimenopause throughout next year.

It’s such a privilege to collaborate with an organisation that’s doing so much to raise awareness and support people living with ADHD. I’m genuinely grateful to know that the sessions I provide are making a positive difference to people’s lives and that my work is appreciated.

If you’d like to join either my future webinars or any others provided by ADHD UK, you can find the details in the comments section below

30/10/2025

Reflecting on ADHD awareness month and World Menopause Day

With ADHD awareness month and World Menopause Day both in October, I’ve been reflecting on how much more awareness is still needed on how closely ADHD and perimenopause overlap.

For me personally, finally understanding what had been behind so many of my lifelong challenges, and realising how much perimenopause amplified my ADHD, helped me make sense of myself, find the right support, and realise that these weren’t personal failings, but biology and brain wiring I simply hadn’t known about or understood before then.

It’s encouraging to see growing awareness and understanding in this area, with so many brilliant advocates leading the way in education and change.

Yet, for me, it also feels bittersweet. I can’t help but think of the countless women who have been misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and let down for decades, and sadly, how for some, this continues to this day. Understanding can’t change the past, but it can shape what happens next.

I’m grateful to now have the knowledge to better understand myself and to support others on the same journey. Awareness of both neurodivergence and it's interactions with hormones is growing, and that gives me hope. I’m also encouraged by the many other practitioners who share my passion for raising awareness, offering support, and empowering others to self-advocate and access the help they not only need but have always deserved.

27/10/2025

Perimenopause, neurodivergence, and the risk no one talks about

We often hear about hot flushes and night sweats, yet rarely about the emotional and cognitive impact of perimenopause.

For neurodivergent women, especially those with ADHD or autism, this can be a time of deep vulnerability.

Hormonal changes can amplify challenges with mood, focus, and emotional regulation, leaving many women feeling as though they’re losing themselves. As writer Bridgette Hampstead puts it, “Perimenopause feels like dementia in an AuDHD brain, and no one warns you.”

Research shows that rates of depression and suicidality rise during perimenopause, particularly when symptoms are misunderstood or dismissed (Hendriks et al., 2025; Martin-Key et al., 2024). Which I know only too well as when my own perimenopause and AuDHD collided a few years ago, I came dangerously close to becoming one of those statistics.

For thousands of women, timely recognition and appropriate support are not luxuries, they are lifelines.

Does this resonate with you? Have you noticed changes in your ADHD and/or autism during perimenopause? I’d love to hear your experiences or thoughts in the comments.



References
Hendriks, O., McIntyre, J.C., Rose, A.K., Crockett, C., Newson, L. and Saini, P. (2025) The mental health challenges, especially suicidality, experienced by women during perimenopause and menopause: A qualitative study, Women’s Health (London), 21, p. 17455057251338941. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40626330
Martin-Key, N.A., Funnell, E.L., Barker, E.J. and Bahn, S. (2024) Examining suicidality in relation to the menopause: A systematic review, PLOS Mental Health, 1(6), p. e0000161. Available at: https://journals.plos.org/mentalhealth/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pmen.0000161
Hampstead, B. (2024) Perimenopause feels like dementia in an AuDHD brain, and no one warns you, LinkedIn, 15 September. Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/perimenopause-feels-like-dementia-audhd-brain-one-you-hamstead-ms-59hfc

There is a moment, often around age 38 or 42 or 45, when a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD (AuDHD) woman finds herself unable to think. Not just the usual difficulty focusing, not just a rough week or a bad sensory day, but something else.

09/10/2025

Feeling very proud today!

I’ve just found out I’m a finalist in three categories at this year’s Devon Women in Business Awards! The winners will be announced in November at Sandy Park Stadium in Exeter.

When I started my business less than two years ago, my goal was simple — to make a real difference for women navigating ADHD and the perimenopause. It’s been a steep learning curve, but one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever done.

Leaving my career as a nurse to follow my passion wasn’t easy, but failure was never an option. I’ve worked hard to overcome self-doubt, and I’m proud to show my daughters that anything is possible with determination, hard work and belief in yourself.

Running a business isn’t always linear, but my drive to support women with a late ADHD diagnosis and in the perimenopause has kept me moving forward, even on really hard days. And I’m so grateful for the supportive, inspiring people I’ve met along the way.

I may not win on the night, but to even be recognised for the work I care so deeply about means a great deal.

Devon Women in Business Networking Group 💖

07/10/2025

What does support look like when you have ADHD?

How supportive are the people around you?

Do family members, friends, or colleagues truly understand what it means to live with ADHD, or do they sometimes dismiss it or play it down?

Finally having an explanation for a lifetime of struggles feels like a huge relief, but that relief can quickly turn into frustration or sadness if others don’t recognise or accept it.

I count myself as one of the lucky ones. My husband is incredibly supportive, he reads around the topic, listens to things on the radio, and often comes to me with new ideas or research he’s heard about. We have conversations about ADHD, neurodivergence, and the way our minds work.

I also have close family members and friends who have been understanding and kind, and I know not everyone has that.

But, even with supportive people around you, there will still be those moments, whether in conversation with others, or comments online, when you’re met with disbelief or misunderstanding. And that can feel really tough. It can leave you unsure how to explain things without feeling exposed or lost.

When support is missing, it can feel invalidating and lonely. When it’s present, it can be life-changing.

These are the conversations we need to keep having, in families, workplaces, friendships, and communities, because understanding and validation can make all the difference.

06/10/2025

Sharing knowledge and understanding of ADHD with GP's

Last week, I was thrilled to be invited by Nuffield Health to present to around 40 GP's in Exeter as part of one of their study days, speaking about understanding ADHD.

We explored how ADHD can present in both adults and children, how it can affect daily life, and the many ways people can be better supported, both within healthcare settings and in daily life.

As someone who has worked within the NHS for many years and now supports adults with ADHD through coaching, it felt particularly meaningful to share knowledge and experience with healthcare professionals who are supporting neurodivergent patients every day.

These conversations matter. Awareness and understanding at all levels of healthcare can make such a difference in recognising and supporting ADHD earlier, reducing stigma, and helping people access the right kind of support.

I’m looking forward to more opportunities like this in the future, and to working collaboratively with organisations such as Nuffield Health to continue building knowledge and awareness around ADHD.

02/10/2025

October is ADHD Awareness Month!

ADHD affects people of all ages and genders, yet it continues to be widely misunderstood. For many, the difficulties associated with ADHD have been present throughout life, and challenges with focus, organisation, time, or emotional regulation can feel relentless.

Without understanding or recognition, these difficulties can lead to shame, low confidence, and exhaustion.

Awareness matters because:
-ADHD is not a weakness or a character flaw, it is a neurodevelopmental condition that is highly treatable

-It can present differently in different people, which means it is often overlooked or misdiagnosed

-Hormonal changes, stress, and life transitions can amplify symptoms and create new challenges

-Late diagnosis is still common, leaving many people unsupported for years

Yet ADHD is not only about struggles. With the right recognition and support, the very traits that once caused difficulty — creativity, curiosity, energy, hyperfocus, problem-solving — can become powerful drivers for change and achievement.

This month is about visibility, understanding, and compassion, while also recognising the potential that comes when people with ADHD are truly seen and supported.