Are Your Hormones Making Focus Harder (Menopause & ADHD Meds)

Oct 24, 2025

Explore the fascinating intersection of menopause and mental health, including its impact on mood and ADHD medication effectiveness. Learn strategies to combat nail biting and perfectionism, as well as the effects of identity shifts in diagnosis. Discover insights on improving communication with partners and the unique challenges women face when diagnosed with ADHD later in life. This episode offers real-world advice and thought-provoking discussions on mental well-being.

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INSIGHT

Picking Behaviors Follow An OCD Cycle

Nail biting and excoriation often stem from anxiety and follow an obsessive-compulsive cycle of obsession → compulsion → relief.
Delaying the compulsion shows anxiety will peak and fall without performing the behavior, retraining the brain.

ADVICE

Beat Comparison With Mastery And Fact-Checking

Challenge negative self-talk and argue back using evidence when you compare yourself to others.
Build confidence via mastery: compare today's work only to yesterday's and track incremental improvements.

ADVICE

Menopause Can Worsen Depression Risk

Recognize menopause can increase depression risk via fluctuating estrogen that affects serotonin and dopamine.
Consider therapy, antidepressants, and discuss hormone replacement therapy with your doctor to stabilize mood and sleep.

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Today's questions are very interesting! Everything from breaking the habit of nail biting and skin picking, to navigating comparison, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome. We’ll also talk about menopause, how it can affect mood, depression, and even how ADHD medications work plus what happens when your diagnosis suddenly changes and you’re left wondering who to believe. And finally, we’ll explore what it’s like to be diagnosed with ADHD later in life, after years of being told it was something else entirely. So whether you’re here to better understand your own mental health, or you just love learning more about how our brains and emotions work, this episode is full of real questions, honest conversations, and practical takeaways you can actually use.

My new book is available for pre-order: Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ If you’ve ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I’d be so grateful for your support. Audience questions:

(01:03) How do I stop biting my nails? (Compulsion to pick at skin/nails)

(09:54) I keep comparing myself to other people, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome.

(20:01) Thoughts about menopause and how it affects depression.

(25:21) Is it true that menopause hinders ADHD meds from working?

(30:26) What are some things I can do to improve my communication skills with my partner?

(41:00) Identity shift with a change in diagnosis (ADHD/ASD vs. OCPD) and who to believe.

(51:43) Women being diagnosed with ADHD later in life (55+) and misdiagnosis with bipolar disorder.

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Ask Kati Anything ep. 285 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT

My original YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/@Katimorton #podcast #therapist #katimorton MY BOOKS Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship.

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