ADHD and Women

“Dr. Jolene Brighten brings a timely, much-needed lens to women’s brain health. With clarity and warmth, she speaks to the real shifts in mood, focus, and mental clarity that can arise across hormonal transitions, and offers a supportive path forward for anyone seeking better answers.”—Lisa Mosconi, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of The XX Brain and The Menopause Brain

“Every day I hear from women with ADHD who spent years believing they were lazy, flaky, messy, or simply ‘not trying hard enough.’ The truth is, many of us go undiagnosed or misunderstood for decades, because ADHD often looks different in women than people expect. In this book, Dr. Jolene Brighten explores the science behind why that is, the role hormones can play, and practical strategies to help women with ADHD better understand and work with their brains, so they can build a life they love. This is the kind of resource I wish existed years ago.”—Jessica McCabe, New York Times bestselling author of How to ADHD

“ADHD and Women is timely and deeply needed. Dr. Brighten bridges the gap between brain and body, drawing on her clinical and functional work to show the interconnectedness of hormones and health across significant hormonal transitions. This book will help women advocate for themselves, help practitioners improve prescribing and treatment, and lay important groundwork for a brighter future of women’s health.”—Dr. Samantha Hiew, founder of ADHD Girls

“Integrating neuroscience, nutrition, and hormonal health, this book sheds light on why ADHD in women is so often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Dr. Brighten offers clear, actionable guidance to help readers support both their brain and hormonal balance through targeted lifestyle and dietary strategies, empowering them to improve focus, mood, and long-term cognitive health.”—Uma Naidoo, MD, nutritional psychiatrist, chef, nutritionist, and bestselling author of Calm Your Mind with Food

“Blending rigorous science with real-world insight, Dr. Brighten offers women something they’ve long been denied: a framework that makes sense of their experiences and an actionable path forward to gain greater stability, clarity, and control of their symptoms.”—Sarah E. Hill, PhD, author of This Is Your Brain on Birth Control and The Period Brain

“As a pediatric psychologist and parent coach, I have seen how often girls and women with ADHD are missed, misunderstood, or expected to cope without the support they need. Dr. Jolene Brighten beautifully highlights how hormonal transitions shape a woman’s daily functioning, emotional life, and experience of motherhood. This is the resource I need for my clients! ADHD and Women gives readers something rare: a practical guide for supporting ADHD girls well and for helping ADHD mothers stop carrying so much of this alone.”—Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, Board Certified Pediatric Psychologist

“If you love understanding the ‘why’ behind ADHD, you’ll love this book. Dr. Brighten connects hormones, neuroscience, and women’s lived experiences in a way that’s fascinating, practical, and incredibly validating. ADHD and Women fills a gap that’s been missing for far too long.”—Rox and Rich Pink, founders of ADHD Love

“Validating and empowering—if ADHD is impacting your life and you need guidance, this book is for you.”—Dr. Helen Wall, BBC Breakfast resident doctor and author of Menopause and ADHD