Postpartum ADHD–Is It a Thing?
For ADHD moms, the postpartum experience can be a little extra. That’s because the drop in estrogen after birth can decrease dopamine levels in your brain, which can lead to an increase in ADHD symptoms. So if motherhood feels harder for you than it seems for everyone else, it’s not your fault.
So What Is Postpartum ADHD?
There isn’t a formal diagnosis for “postpartum ADHD,” (postpartum anxiety doesn’t have a formal diagnosis, either) but many moms experience either brand new ADHD-like symptoms after giving birth or increased symptoms if they were already diagnosed or suspect.
Signs of Postpartum ADHD:
Increased forgetfulness
Difficulty focusing or “brain fog”
Disorganization or feeling overwhelmed
Impulsive decision-making
Emotional sensitivity or “postpartum rage”
There’s a lot of talk on social media about postpartum rage and postpartum anxiety appearing in connection with ADHD, but there’s not enough talk about it in professional fields, so we’re all out here just suffering and blaming ourselves.
ADHD Symptoms in Moms
You may notice symptoms such as:
Worsened inattention and focus: With newborn care, sleep deprivation, new responsibilities, and often financial stress on top of it (because NO PAID PARENTAL LEAVE) ADHD traits can be exacerbated.
Higher emotional sensitivity: Hormonal fluctuations can make emotional regulation feel impossible, which can lead to irritability, frustration, and even rage.
Impulsive behaviors: On a normal day, ADHDers tend not to think things through all the way, but postpartum? Impulsive behaviors can increase and lead to decisions that cause us more stress.
Fatigue-related challenges: ADHD fatigue combined with the excruciating exhaustion of life as a new mom can make the most basic tasks feel impossible.
ADHD, Postpartum Depression, and Anxiety
For some moms, ADHD symptoms and mood disorders like postpartum depression or anxiety overlap. PMADs (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders) can mimic ADHD symptoms. Some ADHD symptoms may get worse, while mood swings and depressive episodes can make ADHD harder to manage.
If you suspect you’re dealing with both a PMAD and ADHD, check out Postpartum Support, International’s guide to recognizing PMADs here.
Can You Develop ADHD After Pregnancy?
Pregnancy won’t “give you” ADHD, and neither will motherhood, but symptoms may appear or intensify because of well, you know, motherhood (hormones, lack of sleep, endless responsibilities, increased sensory input, all the things.)
For many women, motherhood might be the first time ADHD symptoms become noticeable. This is often because we’ve spent years masking our symptoms so we blend in with neurotypicals. As a result, many of us go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed until the demands of motherhood become too much for us to handle.
It's estimated that around 50% - 75% of women with ADHD are unaware they’re ADHD (including me until just last year) because our symptoms tend to present differently than the stereotypical "hyperactive boy" version everyone has in their heads.
Studies show that the average age of diagnosis for women is between 30 and 40 years old, right when most of us are having babies, and much later than the typical childhood diagnosis for men. This delayed recognition means many women are navigating motherhood without the proper support or understanding of how ADHD impacts their lives. And even when symptoms of ADHD appear postpartum, many mothers are misdiagnosed with Postpartum Anxiety.
ADHD Medications and Breastfeeding: What’s Safe?
One of the first questions for medicated moms with ADHD is, “Can I take my Adderall/ADHD medication while breastfeeding?” The safety of ADHD medication during breastfeeding varies depending on the type and dosage.
It’s important to be fully informed!
Find a provider who is certified as a Perinatal Mental Health Specialist through Postpartum Support, International. They are fully trained and informed to know which medications are safe for which stages of the perinatal journey. Click here for the PSI Provider Directory
Check Hale’s Medication’s and Mother’s Milk. This is the gold standard for all things medication and breastfeeding. They let you search 20 medications with the free account, so it’s an incredible resource for all breastfeeding moms. Medications & Mother’s Milk
How Postpartum ADHD Symptoms Affect Daily Life
Adjusting to life with postpartum ADHD symptoms can be completely overwhelming. You’ve got a new baby, the whole mental load, and a brain that’s struggling to keep up. But there is hope, Mama: you need to find the tools, strategies, and systems that will help YOU manage motherhood YOUR way.
Strategies to Manage Postpartum ADHD
Managing ADHD is never a one-size-fits-all type of thing. But to get you thinking, here are some tips to help you manage ADHD symptoms during this overwhelming season of life:
Use Organizational Tools: Planners, apps, and reminders can help you manage the constant “stuff” of motherhood and help make sure that nothing (or at least only a few things) slips through the cracks. Find what works for you and then commit to using it.
Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: Big tasks can feel impossible when your ADHD is in fifth gear. Split them into smaller, more manageable chunks. Ex: spend 20 minutes cleaning up each morning instead of trying to attack it all at once.
Get Support: Reach out ADHD moms who get it. If you don’t know any in real life, find a group online, or find a support group that’s specifically for new moms with ADHD (like the one I offer! It’s free – you should come.) Community is so important for getting through the loneliness and isolation that can come with motherhood.
Consider Therapy: A therapist experienced with ADHD and postpartum anxiety and rage can help you work through the effects of living with ADHD. I know, I know, finding someone like this is like finding a unicorn, especially when you factor in accessibility factors like cost, insurance plans, location, and scheduling. They are out there, though. (reach out if you can’t find anyone and I’ll see if I can help.)
Does Breastfeeding Prevent ADHD?
Breastfeeding doesn’t reduce the risk of ADHD. ADHD is largely genetic, and while breastfeeding has other health benefits, it won’t impact whether or not your child develops ADHD.
Personally, as a mom of two ADHD kiddos, I’m grateful that we all have similar brains! It makes life fun. And it’s easier for us to understand each other’s needs and challenges, and recognize our awesome and unique ADHD traits.
Conclusion
Becoming a mom and dealing with postpartum ADHD symptoms can be a serious challenge. Whether you’re managing existing ADHD symptoms or noticing them for the first time, taking care of your mental health has to be a priority. By working closely with informed care providers, building a community, and finding routines that work for you, you can do the mom thing in a way that meets and respects your neurodivergent needs. Remember, postpartum ADHD might not be widely recognized, but you’re not alone in dealing with it. There’s a whole world of us out here.
