SHE MD

What if the anxiety, emotional sensitivity, and overwhelm you've experienced for years are actually connected to ADHD? On this episode of SHE MD, Mary Alice sits down with board-certified psychiatrist and ADHD specialist Dr. Sasha Hamdani to unpack why ADHD is so often missed or misdiagnosed in women. They discuss the emotional side of ADHD, rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), hormones and ADHD symptoms, ADHD during perimenopause and postpartum, medication options, and why treating ADHD is about so much more than improving focus. Dr. Hamdani also shares the science behind her new book, Too Sensitive: Rejection, Resilience, and the Science of Feeling Deeply.
Subscribe to SHE MD Podcast for expert tips on PMOS, endometriosis, fertility, hormonal balance, mental health, and more. Share with friends and visit SHE MD website and Ovii for research-backed resources, holistic health strategies, and expert guidance on women’s health and well-being.

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What You’ll Learn
Why ADHD can look different in women than in men
Why women with ADHD are often diagnosed with anxiety or depression instead
How estrogen fluctuations can affect ADHD symptoms and dopamine regulation
What happens to ADHD symptoms during PMS, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause
The difference between stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications
How medication decisions can be personalized for women and children
What rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is and how it can affect relationships and daily life
Why emotional dysregulation is an important part of the ADHD conversation
Whether supplements can help with ADHD symptoms
Why you can't “give yourself” ADHD by spending too much time on your phone
Dr. Hamdani's favorite ADHD sleep hack

Key Timestamps
00:00 Welcome Dr. Sasha Hamdani
02:40 Sasha's ADHD Diagnosis & Her Journey Through Medical School
07:28 Why ADHD Looks Different In Women
09:07 Why So Many Women Are Misdiagnosed With Anxiety & Depression
10:20 How Hormones Can Make ADHD Symptoms Worse
16:43 Estrogen, Menopause & ADHD Symptoms
18:50 ADHD Medication vs. HRT: What's The Difference?
20:56 Finding The Right ADHD Medication
23:09 Stimulants Vs. Non-Stimulants & The 80/20 Approach
25:26 ADHD Medication For Children
31:44 Why ADHD Medication Can Stop Working During Perimenopause
32:49 The Long-Term Effects Of ADHD Medication
34:11 Are Medication Holidays Helpful?
36:40 Understanding Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)
40:59 How To Regulate Emotional Dysregulation
41:36 Inside "Too Sensitive" & The Science Of Feeling Deeply
44:52 Dating Advice For Women With RSD
47:16 Do Supplements Actually Help ADHD?
48:46 Can Your Phone Make ADHD Worse?
50:16 The Biggest Misconceptions About ADHD
51:05 Sasha's Favorite ADHD Hack For Better Sleep
52:28 Final Thoughts & Takeaways

Key Takeaways
ADHD is about much more than attention and focus. It can affect emotions, relationships, sleep, eating, executive function, and everyday life.
Women are frequently missed because they may present primarily with inattentive symptoms rather than the stereotypical hyperactive presentation.
Hormonal changes can worsen ADHD symptoms, particularly when estrogen drops during the menstrual cycle, postpartum period, and perimenopause.
Anxiety and depression can coexist with ADHD, but they can also be diagnoses that obscure underlying ADHD.
Rejection sensitive dysphoria describes an intense emotional or physical response to real or perceived rejection or criticism and can be particularly disruptive for people with ADHD.
Finding the right ADHD treatment is highly individualized. Medication can be one tool alongside behavioral strategies and other forms of support.
Dr. Hamdani emphasizes that the goal of ADHD medication isn't to make someone feel “perfect,” but to provide consistent support that allows them to function more like they do on a good day.
Emotional sensitivity isn't necessarily something that needs to be eliminated. The goal can be learning to better understand and regulate it.

Guest Bio: Dr. Sasha Hamdani
Dr. Sasha Hamdani is a board-certified psychiatrist and ADHD specialist who has both personal and professional experience with ADHD. After being diagnosed with ADHD as a child, she went on to become a physician and now specializes in treating ADHD and helping patients better understand the condition beyond traditional symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity. She is also the author of Too Sensitive: Rejection, Resilience, and the Science of Feeling Deeply, which explores the neuroscience of emotional sensitivity, rejection, hormones, and practical tools for managing intense emotions.
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A heartbreaking case making national headlines has reignited an important conversation about postpartum mental health. In this special bonus episode, Dr. Thais Aliabadi and Mary Alice Haney are joined by psychiatrist Dr. Stacy Cohen to break down the critical differences between postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis: a rare but life-threatening psychiatric emergency.
Together, they explain the warning signs every parent, partner, and loved one should know, discuss how these conditions are diagnosed and treated, and share why early intervention can save lives. They also explore the stigma surrounding maternal mental health, the safety of treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and the hope available for women and families navigating postpartum challenges.
Subscribe to SHE MD Podcast for expert tips on PMOS, endometriosis, fertility, hormonal balance, mental health, and more. Share with friends and visit SHE MD website and Ovii for research-backed resources, holistic health strategies, and expert guidance on women’s health and well-being.

What You’ll Learn
The difference between postpartum blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis
Why postpartum psychosis is considered a psychiatric emergency
The symptoms families, partners, and physicians should recognize immediately
Risk factors associated with postpartum psychosis
How postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis are treated differently
The role of medications, psychotherapy, TMS, ketamine therapy, and newer treatment options
Why seeking help early can make a life-saving difference

Key Timestamps
00:00 The Case That Shocked The Nation: Postpartum Psychosis
01:10 Postpartum Psychosis vs Postpartum Depression Explained
03:22 Who Is At Risk And When It Becomes An Emergency
07:01 How Postpartum Psychosis And Depression Are Treated
09:18 What To Do If You Think Someone Has Postpartum Psychosis
11:12 Treatment Options For Postpartum Depression
15:19 You Are Not Alone: Resources And Final Words From Dr. Stacy Cohen

Key Takeaways
Postpartum psychosis affects approximately 1 in 1,000 women after childbirth and requires immediate emergency psychiatric care.
Unlike postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis can include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and a loss of contact with reality.
Postpartum depression is much more common and is often successfully treated with therapy, antidepressants, and strong support systems.
Families and loved ones play a vital role in recognizing warning signs and getting emergency help when necessary.
Mental health treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding is often safer than leaving depression untreated, and many effective options are available.

Guest Bio: Dr. Stacy Cohen
Dr. Stacy Cohen is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in women's mental health, perinatal psychiatry, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders. She works closely with patients during pregnancy and the postpartum period, helping families navigate conditions including postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. In this episode, she explains the science behind postpartum psychiatric illnesses, discusses evidence-based treatments, and shares practical guidance on recognizing when immediate medical intervention is needed.
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For decades, women have been told that hormone replacement therapy causes breast cancer, but where did that message come from, and is it the full story? In this episode, Mary Alice Haney is joined by former SheMD executive producer and award-winning storyteller, Ami Armstrong, to unpack the Women's Health Initiative, the landmark study that changed the course of menopause care for an entire generation. Together, they explore how one of the largest women's health studies ever conducted became one of the most misunderstood, and why many experts are working to correct the narrative today.
Mary Alice and Ami break down the difference between relative and absolute risk, discuss how media headlines fueled decades of fear around hormone therapy, and explain what today's research says about menopause treatment. They also examine why women have historically been left out of medical research, the importance of personalized healthcare, and how understanding your own risks can empower you to make informed decisions alongside your doctor.
Subscribe to SHE MD Podcast for expert tips on PCOS, endometriosis, fertility, hormonal balance, mental health, and more. Share with friends and visit SHE MD website and Ovii for research-backed resources, holistic health strategies, and expert guidance on women’s health and well-being.
Sponsors
K'chava: Treat yourself to a childhood favorite. Go to kachava.com and use code SheMD for 15% off your first order.
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Opill: Opill is birth control in your control. Check out Opill to see if it is right for you. You can find Opill at most major retailers in store and online at opill.com.
What You’ll Learn
Why the Women's Health Initiative became one of the most influential and controversial studies in women's health.
The difference between relative risk and absolute risk, and why that distinction matters.
How media coverage dramatically changed public perception of hormone replacement therapy.
Why today's menopause hormone therapy differs from what was studied in the original trial.
How women were historically excluded from clinical research and how that affected medical care.
What current evidence says about the timing of hormone therapy and menopause treatment.
Why understanding your personal health risks leads to better conversations with your doctor.
Key Timestamps
00:00 Welcome Ami Armstrong
02:57 Ami's own HRT journey & why she made this series
05:04 The idea behind "It's Not a Purse" (Magritte inspiration)
07:43 "Feminine Forever" and the history of estrogen marketing
09:02 Why Ami dug into the Women's Health Initiative
11:48 Getting women into clinical trials: the 1990s shift
18:43 Placebo, estrogen-only & estrogen+progestin arms
20:15 What hormones were actually used in the WHI
22:04 The timing hypothesis explained
23:14 Inside the July 2002 press conference decision
24:53 Breaking down the breast cancer numbers (absolute vs. relative risk)
27:06 Why the trial was stopped early & the estrogen-only results
32:07 HRT use plummets & what hot flashes really mean
35:42 The researchers who fought back
42:32 Individualized risk & questioning the headlines
Key Takeaways
The Women's Health Initiative began as an ambitious effort to better understand disease prevention in postmenopausal women but became defined by a controversial 2002 announcement that dramatically changed hormone therapy use.
Headlines focused on relative risk increases without explaining the much smaller absolute risk, creating lasting public fear around HRT.
The hormone formulations used in the original study are different from many of today's commonly prescribed bioidentical therapies.
Experts now recognize that the timing of hormone therapy initiation plays an important role in determining benefits and risks.
Women have historically been underrepresented in clinical research, leading to gaps in medical knowledge that continue to impact healthcare today.
Every woman's health decisions should be individualized, based on current evidence, personal risk factors, and informed conversations with qualified healthcare providers, not fear-driven headlines.

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Most of us think we're hydrated because we're drinking plenty of water, but wellness expert Kristen Coffield says that's only part of the story. In this episode of SHE MD, Kristen shares why hydration is the foundation for nearly every aspect of your health, from better sleep and more energy to reduced inflammation, improved metabolism, and healthier aging. After navigating thyroid cancer while caring for both of her aging parents, Kristen rebuilt her health one simple habit at a time and now helps women do the same through her Resilient Wellness approach.
Kristen and Mary Alice dive into practical, science backed strategies you can start today, including how to hydrate properly with electrolytes, why water alone isn't always enough, the foods that support long term wellness, and how to build sustainable habits instead of chasing diets. They also discuss strength training, sleep, inflammation, active aging, and why it's never too late to invest in your health. Whether you're in your 30s, navigating midlife, or planning for healthy aging, this conversation is full of simple, actionable takeaways that can help you feel your best for years to come.
Subscribe to SHE MD Podcast for expert tips on PMOS, endometriosis, fertility, hormonal balance, mental health, and more. Share with friends and visit SHE MD website and Ovii for research-backed resources, holistic health strategies, and expert guidance on women’s health and well-being.

Sponsors
Prolon: Visit ProlonLife.com/SheMD to claim your 15% discount and your bonus gift.
OLLY: You can find OLLY Precise Probiotics with skin, stress, or metabolism support at a Walmart near you.
Alaya: Visit www.alaynaturals.com/shemd and enter code SheMD at checkout for 20% off your order.
Blueland: If you're looking to make a small change in your routine, you can get fifteen percent off your first order at blueland.com/shemd.

What You’ll Learn
Why drinking more water doesn't always mean you're hydrated
How electrolytes help your body absorb water properly
A simple morning hydration routine that supports energy and focus
The connection between hydration, inflammation, sleep, and brain fog
Why small daily habits create lasting health changes
How to eat for better energy instead of dieting
The importance of fiber, protein, and healthy fats as you age
How to build strength and mobility for healthy aging and active grandparenting

Key Timestamps
00:00 Why Water Is The Most Powerful Supplement You're Ignoring
00:55 Meet Kristen Coffield, Wellness Expert And Hydration Advocate
02:04 How A Personal Tsunami Led To A Health Transformation
03:32 Why Hydration Is The Foundation Of Every Wellness Goal
05:31 How To Actually Hydrate The Right Way
07:09 Why You're Drinking Water But Still Feel Thirsty
08:55 The Best Electrolytes And How To Use Them
09:51 The Morning Lemon Water Ritual That Changes Everything
10:23 Why You Should Wait 90 Minutes Before Your First Coffee
11:36 How Much Water You Actually Need Every Day
16:14 How Kristen Coffield Rebuilt Her Health After Thyroid Cancer
21:45 How Hydration Helps You Fight Inflammation
24:00 Why Food Has Changed More In 60 Years Than All Of Human History
27:18 The Easiest Way To Add More Fiber To Your Diet
28:29 Five Simple Things To Do In Your Kitchen For Better Health
33:04 How To Eat For Energy Throughout The Day
34:09 The Sleep Habits And Supplements That Actually Work
37:03 Why Active Grandparenting Will Change How You Age
40:55 The Functional Movements Every Woman Needs To Start Now
48:54 How Hydration And Hormones Are More Connected Than You Think

Key Takeaways
Hydration is the foundation of nearly every health goal, including better sleep, muscle function, energy, and food choices.
Water alone isn't always enough. Electrolytes help move water into your cells where it's needed most.
Consistency matters more than drinking huge amounts of water all at once. Small amounts throughout the day are more effective.
Chronic stress and inflammation can quietly undermine your health, making simple daily wellness practices even more important.
Rather than following restrictive diets, focus on eating a wider variety of whole foods rich in fiber, healthy fats, and protein.
Creating supportive environments, like stocking your kitchen with nutritious foods, makes healthy choices easier.
Strength training, mobility work, and functional movement become increasingly important beginning in your 30s and help preserve independence as you age.
Healthy aging starts long before retirement by building sustainable habits one step at a time.

Guest Bio: Kristen Coffield
Kristen Coffield is a wellness expert, former chef, author of How Healthy People Eat, and founder of The Culinary Cure. After navigating thyroid cancer while caring for both of her aging parents, she developed her Resilient Wellness framework to help women rebuild their health through simple, sustainable daily habits. She is also the creator of the Active Grandparenting Movement, inspiring people to build the strength, mobility, and vitality needed to thrive through every stage of life.
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Award winning journalist, Amy Robach, joins SHE MD to share the powerful story behind her breast cancer diagnosis, from discovering her cancer during a routine mammogram on live television to navigating the emotional and physical challenges that followed. Amy opens up about the shock of hearing the words “you have cancer,” the decisions she faced throughout treatment, and how her experience transformed the way she approaches her health and advocacy.
Together, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi and Mary Alice Haney dive into the importance of understanding your personal breast cancer risk, why family history is only one part of the equation, and how advancements in screening and prevention can help women take a more proactive role in their health. Amy shares why she believes early detection saved her life and why every woman should feel empowered to ask questions, know their body, and advocate for the care they deserve.
In this episode, Amy, Dr. Aliabadi, and Mary Alice discuss breast cancer awareness, mammogram recommendations, genetic risk factors, the emotional journey of diagnosis, and the importance of becoming your own strongest health advocate.
Subscribe to SHE MD Podcast for expert tips on PMOS, endometriosis, fertility, hormonal balance, mental health, and more. Share with friends and visit SHE MD website and Ovii for research-backed resources, holistic health strategies, and expert guidance on women’s health and well-being.

Sponsors
Novartis: For more information, visit BreastCancerUnscripted.com

What You’ll Learn
How Amy Robach's live TV mammogram led to an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis
Why most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history
The importance of understanding your personal lifetime breast cancer risk
How breast density influences screening recommendations
When women may need screening earlier than age 40
The role of genetic testing in identifying inherited cancer risk
How early detection can improve treatment options and outcomes
The emotional and mental health challenges that continue long after diagnosis

Key Timestamps
00:00 How A Live TV Mammogram Saved Amy Robach's Life
01:45 Amy Robach Opens Up About Her Breast Cancer Diagnosis
02:01 Why Amy Never Thought Cancer Could Happen To Her
03:54 What Robin Roberts Said That Changed Everything
05:47 The Moment Amy Found Out Her Results Were Suspicious
07:44 Why Amy Waited 30 Days To Go Back For More Imaging
08:47 The Lump She Never Felt And The Biopsy That Followed
09:01 Hearing The Words Your Cancer Is Malignant
12:13 The Second Tumor Nobody Expected To Find
15:01 How Breast Cancer Affected Her Plans To Have Children
16:10 Why Early Detection Is The Most Powerful Tool Women Have
17:03 The Biggest Misconceptions Women Have About Breast Cancer
18:06 How A Cancer Diagnosis Changes You Forever
20:37 Why Women Feel Alone After A Breast Cancer Diagnosis
23:06 Understanding Your Oncotype Score And Risk Of Recurrence
25:42 Why Sharing Your Story Can Save Someone Else's Life
28:34 Life After A Double Mastectomy, The New Normal
29:15 How Breast Cancer Made Amy A Stronger Version Of Herself

Key Takeaways
Breast cancer can affect women with no family history or known genetic mutation.
Knowing your personal risk is just as important as following age based screening guidelines.
Dense breast tissue can increase breast cancer risk and may require additional imaging.
Early detection offers more treatment options and can improve outcomes.
Genetic testing may be appropriate for women with a family history of breast, ovarian, or pancreatic cancer.
Sharing personal stories can empower more women to prioritize screening and advocate for their health.

Guest Bio: Amy Robach
Amy Robach is an Emmy Award winning journalist, bestselling author, and longtime television anchor known for her work on Good Morning America, 20/20, and the Today Show. In 2013, while undergoing a mammogram on live television to encourage women to get screened, she was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. Since then, Amy has become a passionate advocate for breast cancer awareness, early detection, and patient education. Through her storytelling and advocacy, including her work with the Breast Cancer Unscripted campaign, she continues to empower women to understand their risk, prioritize screening, and find strength through community.
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