\[ **keywords:** #ADHD #ADHD_and_the_menstrual_cycle #Estrogen #Women_with_ADHD] --- > [!cite] Citation > Roggli, Linda. ‘ADHD at the Center: A Whole-Life, Whole-Person Condition’. *ADDitude Magazine*, updated 12 December 2023, https://www.additudemag.com/areas-of-life-health-relationships-career-adhd/. > [!abstract] > In the circle of your life, ADHD sits at the center. Its symptoms affect all areas of functioning — perhaps more than you realize. Here, gain life-changing insights how ADHD impacts your health, relationships, careers, friendships, and self-esteem. --- ‘ADHD is more than the sum of its symptoms’ [[Roggli, ‘ADHD at the Center’, 2023|(Roggli 2023, n.p.)]]. ^2a239f ‘Women and girls with ADHD tend to be people-pleasers. We try really hard to mask our symptoms and perceived flaws. We blame ourselves entirely for our mistakes — often leading to a lifetime of shame, self-hate, and self-recrimination. That’s why early diagnosis and treatment are so important’ [[Roggli, ‘ADHD at the Center’, 2023|(Roggli 2023, n.p.)]]. ^2de470 ‘Estrogen levels rise and fall during the monthly cycle. We focus best when estrogen levels are at their highest. When estrogen levels bottom out, all hell breaks loose. We’re unable to focus and our ADHD symptoms become more severe’ [[Roggli, ‘ADHD at the Center’, 2023|(Roggli 2023, n.p.)]]. ^513cfa ‘… premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and its more serious form, premenstrual dysmorphic disorder (PMDD), are more common and more severe in women with ADHD’ [[Roggli, ‘ADHD at the Center’, 2023|(Roggli 2023, n.p.)]]. ^f61af6