AuDHD and Perimenopause by Carol Seddon MCIEEM

On

Late Diagnosis: Discovering I Am AuDHD

In celebration of ADHD awareness month in October and the newly founded Menopause Support Network at CIEEM, I want to share my experience of being diagnosed with both ADHD and Autism in my 40s and being perimenopausal.  

At the age of 44 I was diagnosed with both ADHD and Autism. This combination is often referred to as AuDHD. It is estimated that 15-20% of the population are neurodivergent (Doyle, 2024), and no two people with ADHD and / or autism are the same. A 2022 study found that 70% of neurodivergent employees experienced mental health issues, and 50% reported burnout (People Management, 2022). 

The Strengths and Challenges of Being AuDHD

Being AuDHD has positive impacts on my work, but it also presents many challenges. I find it interesting that Autism and ADHD often conflict, with a constant battle daily for spontaneity (ADHD) but also needing set plans and organisation (Autism). As well as sensory seeking (ADHD) and sensory avoidance (Autism). 

I’m a loyal, creative, and deeply knowledgeable person with strong interests in animals like beavers, bats, and otters. I’m honest, empathetic, observant, and capable of intense focus—especially when working toward deadlines. 

However, I struggle with emotional regulation and often come across as abrupt, blurting things out that can be taken the wrong way. I take things literally, miss jokes, and feel incompetent as a result. Masking my neurodivergence to fit in is exhausting and leads to anxiety, burnout, and difficulty in noisy or social environments. I tend to overshare and stim through repetitive movements, phrases, or sounds, which can seem odd or inappropriate. I have a strong sense of justice, I speak up when I see unfairness, even if it causes friction or gets me in trouble. 

Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (manifesting as being devastated, shamed and embarrassed by real or perceived criticism or failure) is the most painful part of being neurodiverse—it feels physically distressing. Feedback can trigger meltdowns, shutdowns, or panic about losing my job. I battle perfectionism, people-pleasing, and constant rumination. My confidence swings wildly and this is still something I am learning to deal with. 

I find it frustrating that when I have shared my diagnoses, several have responded with ‘we are all on the spectrum’. This is not only inaccurate but also belittling to those who are actually neurodivergent (NeuroBridge, 2024). If you have always felt like you have had to put a huge amount of effort into life and work, and recognise your own strengths and challenges, know that you are not alone.  

When Perimenopause Meets ADHD and Autism

Perimenopause can worsen ADHD symptoms as declining estrogen levels negatively impact dopamine, a neurotransmitter crucial for attention and executive function (Chapman et al. 2025). ADHD and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) are linked, with a higher prevalence of PMDD among women with ADHD, particularly those with co-occurring depression or anxiety (Broughton et al. 2025).  

The Importance of Workplace Support

Employers have a duty of care, with ADHD, autism, and debilitating symptoms of perimenopause being listed as disability under the Equality Act 2010 (Kloss, 2023). They require the provision of reasonable adjustments in the workplace and, most recently, a menopause action plan (Acas, 2026).  

I am lucky to have a supportive employer, and these are some of the things that I have found particularly helpful to support me: 

  • Support networks: including the Menopause group (which is part of the Gender Equality network) and the Autism and ADHD network 
  • Occupational health assessment including a neurodiversity occupational one to suggest several reasonable adjustments such as hybrid working, decompression breaks, loop ear buds, noise cancelling headphones, and taking disability leave to attend counselling sessions 
  • Neurodiversity coaching to recognise and build on neurodiverse strengths and strategies. Such strategies include to improve organisation and email management to reduce overwhelm. For example, breaking large tasks into smaller chunks with timed focus sessions and set breaks.  
  • Employee passport to identify my triggers and challenges as well as my reasonable adjustments and how to communicate with me or see the signs of when I am becoming unwell. This is especially helpful when my line manager changes.  
  • Assigned a Buddy which I have found really helpful. We implement tools I have learnt in coaching and discuss how I am doing and can speak to my manager when I am struggling.  

Creating a More Inclusive Profession

I want to raise awareness of autism and ADHD especially as it is typical to have a love of animals and plants (Callander, 2021). Therefore, it may be likely CIEEM has a number of members that are neurodivergent. Coaching can be funded through access to work (GOV.UK, 2026).   

It is important that both staff and employers have more of an understanding of neurodiversity, including the intersectionality of perimenopause with AuDHD. The more awareness and support strategies implemented, the less pressure it will feel for neurodivergent women during menopause.

About the author

Carol Seddon is a Biodiversity Officer with over twenty years experience at the Environment Agency. She provides ecological advice to internal and external customers. Undertaking ecological surveys is her favourite part of the job. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 sons and German Shepherd Drax.

Carol is smiling and holding up a crayfish. She has dark hair, sunglasses and is wearing a red buoyancy aid.

References 

Acas. (2026). Adjustments for neurodiversity. [Online]. Acas. Last Updated: 2026. Available at: https://www.acas.org.uk/reasonable-adjustments/adjustments-for-neurodiversity [Accessed 4 May 2026]. 

Broughton T, Lambert E, Wertz J, Agnew-Blais J. Increased risk of provisional premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) among females with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): cross-sectional survey study. Br J Psychiatry. 2025 Jun;226(6):410-417. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2025.104. Epub 2025 Jun 18. PMID: 40528384; PMCID: PMC7617793. 

Callander, Katrine. (2021). Naturally Connected Neurodiversity -A Sense of Perspective Late-identification autistic female sensory interactions with natural environments as refuge from societal expectations. 

Chapman L, Gupta K, Hunter MS, Dommett EJ. Examining the Link Between ADHD Symptoms and Menopausal Experiences. J Atten Disord. 2025 Dec;29(14):1263-1277. doi: 10.1177/10870547251355006. Epub 2025 Jul 30. PMID: 40738484; PMCID: PMC12569137. 

Debora Gottardello, Belinda Steffan, Fundamental intersectionality of menopause and neurodivergence experiences at work, Maturitas,Volume 189, 2024,108107, ISSN 0378-5122, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2024.108107. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378512224002020) 

Doyle, N. (2024). Defining Neurodiversity and Identifying Neurominorities. In: Patton, E., Santuzzi, A.M. (eds) Neurodiversity and Work. Palgrave Studies in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenization in Business. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-55072-0_2 

Genius within. (2026). Coaching. [Online]. Genius within. Last Updated: 2026. Available at: https://geniuswithin.org/our-services/coaching/ [Accessed 4 May 2026]. 

GOV.UK. (2026). Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition. [Online]. GOV.UK. Last Updated: 2026. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/eligibility [Accessed 4 May 2026]. 

Kloss, D. (2023). Menopause, neurodiversity and the law. [Online]. nhs health at work. Last Updated: 2023. Available at: https://www.nhshealthatwork.co.uk/images/library/files/2023%20Conference/0945_KLOSS_DIANA_.pdf [Accessed 4 May 2026]. 

NeuroBridge. (2024). Aren’t We All on the Neurodiversity Spectrum?. [Online]. Neurobridge. Last Updated: 13 August 2024. Available at: https://neurobridge.co.uk/blog/arent-we-all-on-the-neurodiversity-spectrum/ [Accessed 4 May 2026]. 

People Management. (2022). Majority of neurodivergent employees experiencing mental health issues, study finds. [Online]. People Management. Last Updated: 6 September 2022. Available at: https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1798074/majority-neurodivergent-employees-experiencing-me [Accessed 4 May 2026].