Waking Up at 30: How ADHD and Hormones Shaped My Life

Fifth Grade, a Hallway Phone, and My ADHD Origin Story

I was just telling my therapist this last session about fifth grade—honestly, a core memory at this point. Our class was at the end of the hall, and right before the exit, there was this phone on the wall. It was the coolest thing ever because if you needed to call home, you didn’t have to trek all the way to the office. The little victories, right?

So, there I was, on that phone, probably calling my mom because I forgot something (as per usual), when she said, “You need to go see your doctor.” I knew what she meant… kind of? But also, not really. At the time, it just felt like another “me thing,” you know? Like, of course, I needed to go to the doctor for some mysterious reason. Spoiler: neither of us knew what we were getting

into.

From that moment on, though, things got harder. School felt like a constant battle. My brain never worked the way I needed it to, and honestly, I don’t think anyone around me understood it either. Homework became this impossible task—I’d sit there, trying so hard to focus, but the smallest distraction would completely derail me. Teachers thought I wasn’t trying and thought I was lazy. And eventually, I started believing them, too.

I don’t even know how to explain how difficult those years were. It wasn’t just about struggling to keep up in class—it was about how everyone seemed to have decided I wasn’t enough. I never felt like people, especially adults, were trying to meet me where I was. Instead, I was always “too much.” Too loud, too distracted, too… everything.

If I could go back and talk to that version of me, I’d tell her: “You’re not too much. You’re just you, and that’s enough.” Because she really needed to hear it. She didn’t deserve to feel like the problem.

ADHD: A Brain That Doesn’t Follow the Rules

ADHD is like living with a brain that has its own rulebook—one that no one gave me a copy of. My whole life, I’ve heard words like “lazy” or “unmotivated,” or I’ve been asked if I’m even listening. Spoiler: I am listening, but it feels like the words bounce off my brain instead of sinking in.

My brain doesn’t do “simple.” Sometimes, I’ll hyperfocus so hard on one thing that I lose hours, while everything else falls apart around me. Other times, I’ll look at a task, and my brain just flat-out refuses to cooperate. It’s not because I don’t care—it’s like there’s a wall between what I want to do and actually doing it.

Time management? Might as well be a foreign language. I either think I have way more time than I do or completely lose track of it altogether.

Then there’s perfectionism. I’ve spent years trying to overcompensate, thinking if I could just be “good enough,” no one would notice the chaos in my head. So, I’d take on too much, burn myself out, and then feel guilty because I couldn’t keep up. Add in sensory overload—like noise, lights, or too much happening at once—and my brain is basically waving a white flag.

For the longest time, I just masked it all. I stayed quiet, hid the hyperactivity, and tried to blend in because I didn’t want anyone to see how hard I was struggling. But that’s exhausting, and honestly, it doesn’t help in the long run.

Now, I’m finally medicating and learning what ADHD actually is, and it’s like someone turned the lights on. ADHD isn’t about being lazy or not trying—it’s about a brain that processes the world differently. Medication isn’t fixing everything, but it’s giving me clarity. I’m learning to work with my brain instead of constantly fighting against it. I’m not broken; I just needed to understand myself better.

Estrogen Dominance and Me: A Plot Twist I Saw Coming

Hormones, hormones, hormones—let’s dive in. First things first: ladies, advocate for yourselves. Speak up, push for answers, and if you’re not sure how, that’s okay because I’ve got plenty to say on the subject. Nobody knows your body like you do, and that’s a fact.

Now, let me catch you up. Night sweats started creeping in about two years ago, and naturally, I thought, “This has to be hormone-related.” I brought it up to my gynecologist during my annual check-up, but they were confident it wasn’t a hormonal issue. Still, we ran the tests. Everything came back “normal.” Next stop: my PCP to check my thyroid. Same story—normal.

But let’s be real: waking up drenched every night doesn’t feel “normal.” Fast forward to August, and I started having two cycles a month. More tests, more ultrasounds, another round of “everything looks fine.” Frustrated but determined, we decided on a D&C to reset things and gather more information. Without getting into too much detail (because, honestly, it’s still a sore spot), I realized it was time for a fresh approach. I found a female gynecologist and decided to take matters into my own hands while waiting for my appointment.

Enter: cycle syncing.

I began tracking everything—symptoms, night sweats, basal body temperature, energy levels, and moods. Let me tell you, this opened up a rabbit hole of research about how hormones fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle and how everything in your body is interconnected. The more I learned, the more amazed (and slightly overwhelmed) I became.

This month, I finally got to test my hormone levels at the start and end of my cycle. On day three, my estrogen looked normal, but by day 21, my estrogen-to-progesterone ratio revealed the truth: estrogen dominance. My ratio? A lovely 51.8—far below the healthy range of 100 to 500. Symptoms of estrogen dominance? Night sweats, mood swings, irritability, fatigue, and worsening PMS. Combine that with PMDD, and it’s a hormonal cocktail I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

Here’s the kicker: I was right. I knew something was off, and while part of me is bummed to confirm it, the other part is relieved to have some answers. This journey is far from over, but

learning about my hormones and listening to my body has already been a game changer.

Needles, Validation, and a Plan: My Naturopathic Journey

I had my consultation with a local naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist, and it went so well. She asked tons of questions, and I gave her so much information. Honestly, the intake form I filled out two months ago when I scheduled the appointment was super detailed, so I wasn’t surprised by how in-depth everything was.

Of course, the night before, I made the connection that my estrogen is likely high, or I’m estrogen-dominant. So during the appointment, I explained when I did my bloodwork, what day of my cycle I was on, and all the details she needed. She looked at me and said, “You’re right.” In that moment, I was overwhelmed—not in a bad way, but because I’ve spent years trying to connect these dots on my own. To have someone not only listen but also agree was incredibly affirming.

After lots of questions and details, she gave me tons of information and things to look into. We really clicked on connecting the dots—like how PMDD and histamine are related or how ADHD ties in with hypermobility. The research I am about to dive into.

Then came my acupuncture session, which was my first time ever. It wasn’t bad at all! She placed needles on my face, neck, and legs, and then I just got to lay there and relax for about 20 minutes (although it felt longer). It was so calming. Now, I’m just watching how I feel over the next 24 to 48 hours since everyone responds differently. Right now, I feel a little tired and have a headache, but I’m also in my luteal phase. So, as expected.

She’ll upload my plan of care soon, and I’m so excited about everything we discussed and the direction we’re going to take. I’m really looking forward to incorporating cycle syncing into my diet, exercise, and lifestyle. It feels like everything is finally coming together!

Final Thoughts: My Journey to Understanding

I’m sharing this journey because I want to watch it grow, and if it helps even just ONE person along the way, that will mean everything to me. Please, ladies, if you have any questions or stories to share, let us know—we want to hear your voice. Honestly, the moment I posted in a MOM ONLY Facebook group (if you know, you know), the suggestions I got pushed me in this direction. Your experiences matter, and I’m so grateful for the support. Remember, your voice is strong and beautiful—you’ve got this!