The Dr. Brighten Show

What happens when being the strong one becomes the reason your body starts breaking down? In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten explains how chronic stress, hypervigilance, nervous system dysregulation, and emotional over-functioning can contribute to burnout, hormone symptoms, autoimmune disease, and chronic illness. For additional resources and references, visit the show notes at
https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/being-the-strong-one/

Whether you're the woman everyone depends on, the caregiver, the fixer, or the one who never asks for help, this conversation will help you understand why your body may be asking you to finally put the weight down.

Pre-order ADHD and Women by Dr. Jolene Brighten and discover how hormones shape focus, motivation, executive function, and emotional regulation ⁠⁠http://drbrighten.com/adhdandwomen

In This Episode You'll Learn:

Why "being the strong one" isn't just emotional—it's biological

How chronic hypervigilance rewires your nervous system

Why capable women often become invisible when they need support most

The connection between stress, hormones, autoimmune disease, and burnout

Why your symptoms may be your body's way of protecting you—not betraying you

Three powerful mindset shifts that can begin your healing today

This Episode is Sponsored By

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Motherhood can expose ADHD and autism in ways many women never expect. In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten and Vanessa D’Souza discuss how postpartum hormones, burnout, masking, sensory overload, and relationship dynamics can leave neurodivergent women feeling like they’ve lost themselves—not because they’re failing, but because no one prepared them for what happens after birth. For the complete show notes, research, and resources, visit Dr. Brighten:

Vanessa D’Souza joins Dr. Brighten for an honest conversation about why pregnancy may feel easier than postpartum for women with ADHD and autism, how estrogen and progesterone influence executive function, why postpartum burnout is often mistaken for depression, and what partners, families, and healthcare providers need to understand to better support neurodivergent mothers.

✨ In This Episode

🧠 Why ADHD and autism often become much more noticeable after childbirth

🌸 The dramatic hormone shifts from pregnancy to postpartum

🎭 Why masking suddenly becomes impossible

💥 How postpartum burnout differs from postpartum depression

🍼 Breastfeeding, sensory overload, and nervous system regulation

💛 The invisible emotional labor carried by neurodivergent mothers

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Why relationships often become strained after a baby

🏥 How birth environments can affect autistic women

🧬 The role estrogen, progesterone, dopamine, testosterone, and cortisol play in executive function

🚩 Early warning signs of burnout before a complete crash

🛠 Practical ways to better prepare for the fourth trimester

📚 Resources Mentioned

📖 Is This Normal?:
https://drbrighten.com/is-this-normal/

📖 Beyond the Pill: https://drbrighten.com/beyond-the-pill

📖 ADHD & Women by Dr. Jolene Brighten: https://drbrighten.com/adhd-and-women/

🤝 Connect with Vanessa D’Souza

🌐 Website: https://vanessadsouza.co.uk/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.autistic.chef/?hl=en

💜 Connect with Dr. Jolene Brighten

🌐 Website: https://drbrighten.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJoleneBrighten

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjolenebrighten

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Your support helps us bring more evidence-based conversations about women’s health, hormones, ADHD, autism, and neuroscience to millions of people.

Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your healthcare plan.
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High-masking autism in women often goes unnoticed because success can hide disability. In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with MasterChef UK contestant Vanessa D'Souza to discuss autism, ADHD, sensory processing, masking, autistic burnout, and why so many women aren't diagnosed until adulthood. 📖 For show notes, resources, and links mentioned in this episode, visit: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/autism-and-adhd/

Pre-order your copy of ADHD and Women and unlock exclusive bonuses—including my PMDD Solution Workshop, bonus trainings, downloadable resources, and more before they're gone!

👉 Pre-Order Here: http://drbrighten.com/adhdandwomen

You'll Learn

Why MasterChef became the perfect storm for autistic burnout

Why autism in women is still so frequently overlooked

The hidden cost of high masking and why success doesn't mean someone isn't struggling

How sensory processing affects food, cooking, and everyday life

Why so many women don't receive an autism diagnosis until adulthood

What autistic burnout actually feels like—and why recovery can take months

The accommodations that can make an enormous difference for autistic adults

Why asking for support isn't weakness—it's self-understanding

How MasterChef unexpectedly became a platform for autism advocacy

Why uncertainty can be more overwhelming than failure for many autistic people

How understanding sensory needs can improve quality of life for both children and adults

What every healthcare provider, parent, and partner should know about autism in women

This Episode Is Brought to You By

Dr. Brighten Essentials Radiant Mind 

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Follow Vanessa D'Souza

Vanessa D'Souza’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.autistic.chef/

Vanessa D’Souza’s Website: https://vanessadsouza.co.uk/

MasterChef UK’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterchefuk/

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: ⁠https://www.drbrighten.com⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten⁠

🎥 TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten⁠

🧵Threads: ⁠https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten⁠

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! ⁠https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/⁠

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten⁠

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨
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Pre-order ADHD and Women by Dr. Jolene Brighten and discover how hormones shape focus, motivation, executive function, and emotional regulation ⁠http://drbrighten.com/adhdandwomen

In early 2020, my life completely changed when I contracted COVID-19. As a doctor, I thought I knew what to expect—but my symptoms didn't look like anything on the news. Instead of a cough or high fever, I experienced a subtle, terrifying decline in my ability to breathe. When I finally went to the ER, a physician stood across the parking lot and told me to get my affairs in order.

But that was just the beginning. What followed was a debilitating, multi-system shutdown known as Long COVID—bringing crushing fatigue, brain fog, POTS, and nerve pain.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my personal health journey and the exact cellular framework I used to rebuild my body from the ground up. I break down the emerging science behind viral mitochondrial damage and the four-part protocol (focusing on oxidative stress and ATP production) that helped me reclaim my life.

If you are currently fighting Long COVID or feeling dismissed by medicine, please know you are not alone. Let's talk in the comments below.

Links & Resources:

Persistent Suppression of Oxidative Phosphorylation & Mitochondrial Changes in Post-COVID Conditions (Frontiers in Immunology): https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1776555/full

Mitochondrial metabolic rescue in post-COVID-19 syndrome: MR spectroscopy insights and precision nutritional therapeutics: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1597370/full

NIH RECOVER Initiative Findings on Post-Exertional Malaise: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-launches-long-covid-clinical-trials-through-recover-initiative-opening-enrollment

👩🏻‍⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:

💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten

🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/

🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten

👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨

Disclaimer: I am a board-certified doctor, but I am not your doctor. The information provided in this video is for educational, informational, and personal storytelling purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard in this video.

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Pre-order ADHD and Women by Dr. Jolene Brighten and discover how hormones shape focus, motivation, executive function, and emotional regulation http://drbrighten.com/adhdandwomen

Endometriosis and Endometriomas are often misunderstood, leaving many women without answers for years. In this episode, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with endometriosis surgeon Dr. Amanda Chu, MD, to discuss how endometriomas may signal more advanced disease, why they're frequently dismissed, and what every woman should know about diagnosis and treatment. For the complete research, resources, and show notes, visit https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/endometriomas-and-endometriosis/

If you've been told it's "just a cyst," have been sent home from the ER without answers, or wonder whether surgery is the right next step, this conversation will help you better understand your options and how to advocate for yourself.

👩‍⚕️ About Today's Experts

Dr. Jolene Brighten, NMD, FABNE is a board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist, Certified Menopause Specialist through The Menopause Society, bestselling author, and internationally recognized leader in women's hormone health.

Dr. Amanda Chu, MD is a fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon specializing exclusively in endometriosis excision surgery. She is recognized for her expertise in complex endometriosis, fertility preservation, and advanced pelvic surgery.

Thank You to Our Sponsor

Endo Global supports women in finding answers sooner.

If you're wondering whether your symptoms could be endometriosis, schedule a FREE consultation to better understand:

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Endo Global: https://jolene.endoglobalgroup.com/

👩‍⚕️ FOLLOW DR. JOLENE BRIGHTEN

🌐 Website: https://drbrighten.com

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/drjolenebrighten

🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten

📰 Newsletter: https://drbrighten.com

📚 Dr. Brighten's Books: https://drbrighten.com/books

👩‍⚕️ FOLLOW DR. AMANDA CHU

🌐 ESSE Care: https://esse.care/dr-amanda-chu-md/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchu_endodoc/

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