Ying Deng, founder of ADHD Asian Girl and your Mindful ADHD Guide, discusses the myth of being an adult with ADHD, challenges with masking, and making mindfulness accessible in the ADHD community. They explore the struggles of career disillusionment, navigating Chinese and American cultures, and creative strategies for managing ADHD. Refocused, Together is a collection of 31 stories told throughout October, ADHD Awareness Month.
Ying Deng emphasizes the importance of accepting and working with natural energy fluctuations and highlights the challenges of multitasking and unrealistic expectations placed on adults.
Ying Deng highlights the importance of being proactive in finding healthcare professionals who understand and can provide suitable support for adult women with ADHD.
Deep dives
The Myth of Being an Adult and the Struggle of Natural Energy Ups and Downs
Ying Dang discusses the myth of being an adult and the struggle with natural energy ups and downs. She highlights the challenges of multitasking and the unrealistic expectations placed on adults. Ying emphasizes that there's no such thing as an ideal adulthood and that it's important to accept and work with the natural energy fluctuations. She shares her personal experience of feeling bored in a dream job and how that led her to seek a diagnosis for ADHD. Ying also discusses the impact of cultural background on ADHD experiences and the importance of mindfulness and self-acceptance in managing ADHD challenges.
Ying Dang's Journey to ADHD Diagnosis and Self-Reflection
Ying Dang shares her journey to ADHD diagnosis, starting with watching YouTube videos and listening to podcasts that resonated with her experiences. She highlights the importance of self-reflection and realizing the connection between her own experiences and those of others with ADHD. Ying describes seeking a formal diagnosis from a psychiatric nurse who had experience diagnosing adult women. She emphasizes the importance of being proactive in finding healthcare professionals who understand and can provide suitable support for adult women with ADHD.
The Impact of ADHD on Mental Health and Discovering Connections with Eating Disorders
Ying Dang discusses the impact of ADHD on mental health, particularly the connections between ADHD and eating disorders. She shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with binge eating disorder, depression, and anxiety before her ADHD diagnosis. Ying highlights the need for greater awareness of the link between ADHD and eating disorders, especially for those with Asian cultural backgrounds. She reflects on missed opportunities in receiving appropriate support and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the internal struggles that may not be visible externally.
Overcoming the Myth of Ideal Adulthood and Embracing Unique ADHD Strategies
Ying Dang shares her biggest struggle with living with ADHD, which is the myth of ideal adulthood. She discusses the challenges of managing multiple aspects of life simultaneously and the natural energy ups and downs experienced by individuals with ADHD. Ying emphasizes the importance of accepting that there's no perfect adult and finding strategies that work for individual needs. She shares her personal strategies, such as having different routines based on energy levels and exploring mindfulness and meditation practices. Ying also highlights the importance of reframing routines and embracing different ways of approaching tasks.
Meet Ying Deng, the founder of ADHD Asian Girl and your Mindful ADHD Guide. In our first interview for Refocused, Together 2023, Ying helps us explore the myth of being an adult and shares the relief she felt, following her diagnosis, when she realized she didn’t have to give into that pressure anymore.
Listen in as Ying discusses her experience as an immigrant with ADHD, her challenges with masking, and her mission to make mindfulness more accessible to the ADHD community.
Refocused, Together is a collection of 31 stories told throughout the 31 days of October, a part of our commitment to ADHD Awareness Month. Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss a single story this month!