Episode 181: The MOST Up-to-Date ADHD & Women's Health Research with Professor Sandra Kooij

This week's guest is the esteemed Professor Sandra Kooij, a pioneer in adult ADHD research and professor of psychiatry at the Dutch Expertise Center for Adult ADHD. Since 1995, Professor Kooij has been at the forefront of groundbreaking studies, particularly focusing on ADHD in adults and women.

Together, we delve into the evolving understanding of ADHD, particularly in women, and how hormonal changes throughout life stages—puberty, pregnancy, and menopause—impact ADHD symptoms. Professor Kooij shares insights on the connection between ADHD, hormone fluctuations, cardiovascular health, and immune function. Sandra also offers practical advice on managing ADHD through medication, lifestyle, and hormonal treatments, providing women with more tools to improve their well-being.

On today's ADHD Women's Wellbeing Podcast, Kate and Sandra speak about:

• Where her interest in adult ADHD came from

• Sandra's groundbreaking research

• ADHD and developing knowledge of the hormone connection

• The potential connection between COVID and ADHD

• Leading findings in adult ADHD research

• Perimenopause and ADHD

• Women with ADHD and their cardiovascular health

• Sandra's world-leading research on ADHD and dementia

Timestamps:

• [03:12] How ADHD in adults was first recognized in the 1990s

• [10:34] ADHD and the connection to hormone fluctuations in women

• [18:55] The role of estrogen and dopamine in ADHD symptom management

• [25:40] PMDD, postnatal depression, and early menopause in women with ADHD

• [32:15] Cardiovascular and immune health concerns for women with ADHD

• [40:48] The risk of dementia and cognitive decline in older adults with ADHD

• [48:30] The impact of long COVID on ADHD and immune function

Try Kate's new Apple podcast subscription, The Toolkit, here

You can find out more about all the work that Sandra does here.

Have a look at some of Kate's workshops and free resources here.