Natalie Imbruglia Says Perimenopause Made Her ADHD, OCD Symptoms ‘Worse’: ‘I Fell Off a Cliff’

Natalie Imbruglia, the iconic singer known for her hit song “Torn,” has candidly opened up about her experiences with ADHD, OCD, and the challenges of perimenopause. In a recent interview with The Times, the 51-year-old musician shared that both her neurodiversity and the hormonal changes associated with perimenopause have significantly impacted her daily life and mental well-being.

Imbruglia, who received her diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) later in life, described her neurodiversity as a “superpower.” However, she also acknowledged that it comes with its own set of challenges, particularly the anxiety and anger that arose during her perimenopause journey. “It felt like someone had taken some of my personality,” she revealed, highlighting the emotional toll these experiences have taken on her.

Perimenopause marks a transitional phase leading to menopause, during which women may experience a range of hormonal changes that can affect mood and behaviour. Imbruglia noted that she began experiencing symptoms of perimenopause around five years ago. “It was a grieving process,” she explained, expressing the frustration and anger she felt as she grappled with this new phase of her life. “I fell off a cliff,” she said, candidly revealing her struggle.

Emphasising the importance of discussing these topics openly, Imbruglia spoke about the stigma surrounding menopause. She expressed gratitude for public figures like Davina McCall, whose documentary on menopause inspired her to share her own experiences. “It’s really important that we speak up and stop going, ‘Oh, I just breezed through it.’ How is that helping anyone?” she stated.

Imbruglia conveyed the urgency for women to acknowledge their feelings during this transition. She admitted that it took her a year of feeling “not like myself” before she sought help. The singer attributed her recovery and improved mental health to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which she described as life-changing. “HRT worked, absolutely,” she said, stressing the need to break the silence surrounding menopause and its effects.

In a bid to address these themes, Imbruglia has written a new song titled “Who Dimmed the Lights,” which reflects her experiences during perimenopause. She revealed that the lyrics evoke feelings of “unraveling” and “crawling in the dark,” yet the song carries an uplifting tone. “I think it’s important for other women to hear this,” she remarked.

The singer expressed a newfound joy in her music, noting the positive shift in her songwriting. “I think it’s so nice to figure out a way of getting important messages across, but also have the music be uplifting,” she commented. Imbruglia believes that her openness about these challenges can encourage other women to share their experiences, thereby reducing the stigma associated with menopause.

As she navigates her neurodiversity alongside the complexities of perimenopause, Imbruglia aims to promote understanding and compassion towards the unique challenges faced by women. “I don’t want there to be any shame around it, and there shouldn’t be,” she concluded, highlighting that knowledge and awareness are vital as women undergo these natural changes.

Through her music and candid conversations, Imbruglia hopes to empower women to embrace their journeys — both the struggles and the triumphs — and to appreciate the strength found in sharing their stories.