ADHD Archives - Dr. Mariza Snyder

746: Why ADHD Feels Worse in Midlife and What Actually Helps To Feel More Regulated with Jenna Free

May 14, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

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Episode Summary

“Is your nervous system stuck in overdrive?”

In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Jenna Free, a counselor specializing in ADHD and nervous system regulation, to discuss why so many women in midlife feel overwhelmed, scattered, and exhausted despite their best efforts to stay organized.

Together, they explore how the nervous system gets stuck in a chronic fight-or-flight state, the role of dysregulation in ADHD symptoms, and why traditional productivity hacks simply don’t work when your nervous system is running on empty.

Jenna breaks down her approach to resetting the nervous system and explains how small, consistent changes can lead to massive improvements in mental clarity, energy, and overall well-being.

This conversation offers new insights on how to break free from the cycle of rushing, crashing, and feeling burned out—and provides tangible steps to reclaim control over your brain and nervous system.

Jenna Free

Jenna Free is a counselor specializing in ADHD, nervous system regulation, and mindfulness practices. She is passionate about helping women overcome the chaos of constant overwhelm and hypervigilance by teaching them how to regulate their nervous systems and achieve sustainable productivity. Jenna is the author of The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation and offers support to those struggling with ADHD and chronic stress

IN THIS EPISODE

How a dysregulated nervous system contributes to ADHD-like symptoms in midlife
The link between survival mode (fight or flight) and chronic overwhelm
Why traditional productivity hacks fail when your nervous system is stuck
Practical tips to help interrupt dysregulation and shift into a more balanced state
The importance of slowing down and creating space for mindful action
How to reframe beliefs and thoughts to support nervous system regulation
Why a regulated nervous system leads to more sustainable energy and better overall functioning

QUOTES

“Being in survival mode is a primal mechanism, but it’s not meant to be how we live in 2026.”

“If you believe that being frantic and rushed is the way to be successful, you will never change.”

“Regulation work isn’t about feeling nice—it’s about functioning better.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Use code ENERGIZED and get 10% off on your MitoQ Order

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Order The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation

Jenna Free Website

Jenna Free Instagram

Jenna Free Youtube

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674: Invisible ADHD: The Real Reason So Many Smart Women Are Misdiagnosed And How to Finally Get Answers with Shanna Pearson

August 26, 2025 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

What if you’ve been misdiagnosed or mismedicated for your symptoms, and it took until reaching midlife to figure it out?

That’s exactly what happened with today’s podcast guest, ADHD expert Shanna Pearson, so she’s here to shed light on the real reasons so many women are misdiagnosed for so much of their lives.

We dive into how ADHD symptoms can mimic other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, making it even harder for women to get the right diagnosis and support.

Together, we explore why we as women don’t always “fit the mold” of ADHD and how cultural expectations have kept our symptoms invisible for too long. Plus, you’ll get top tips for managing symptoms of overwhelm and hyperactivity at any stage of life.

Tune in to make the most of your midlife, and to ensure you’re getting the care and support you need to thrive!

Shanna Pearson

Shanna Pearson is Founder and Director of Expert ADHD Coaching, the world’s largest one-on-one ADHD coaching company, which has administered successful coaching sessions for tens of thousands of clients. Shanna struggled with her own ADHD without realizing it for most of her life, so she now helps others navigate their ADHD diagnoses with ease and confidence. Her new book, Invisible ADHD, offers over 100 proven tools uniquely tailored for the ADHD brain that have transformed thousands of lives over 20+ years.

IN THIS EPISODE

Helping women prioritize taking care of their mental health
Addressing the lack of research on women with ADHD
Gaining agency over your symptoms and tips on advocating to your doctor to get what you deserve
Telltale signs you may have ADHD and have been misdiagnosed
Setting boundaries and staying in alignment with your values
Why so many women realize they have ADHD in midlife
Recommendations for navigating a new ADHD diagnosis
Top tools that help make your life easier when dealing with overwhelm, hyperactivity, or other common symptoms of ADHD

QUOTES

“A lot of women with ADHD and other challenges, even if it’s just major hormonal shifts, are being diagnosed or misdiagnosed with depression and anxiety, and then they’re being mismedicated.”

“They’re doing different things for women–a lot of that is internal. So they could be sitting there staring right at you and thinking about something completely different than what you’re talking about. It’s more about an internal hyperactivity versus an external hyperactivity.”

“Now we’re going through a phase of our life where there’s even less dopamine in an already dopamine-deficient brain. So whatever you’ve been able to manage is now basically feeling like it’s falling apart. And it happens quickly.”