ADHD coach Jaye Lin shares her journey of battling burnout and seeking an ADHD diagnosis. She discusses navigating stress, managing high academic expectations in an Asian household, and building supportive communities for women and Asians with ADHD.
Advocating for ADHD diagnosis resulted in increased productivity and well-being at work.
Managing ADHD and anxiety together can lead to transformative impacts on mental health and daily functioning.
Deep dives
Discovering the Impact of ADHD on Productivity and Well-Being
Being diagnosed with ADHD in 2019 after a challenging period at Google, Jay realized the toll it had taken on his productivity and well-being. Initially dismissed and wrongly diagnosed, Jay's journey to a specialist-led assessment turned his life around. Communicating his needs and embracing treatment led to a significant productivity boost.
The Role of Anxiety and ADHD in Executive Function Challenges
Jay's experience with anxiety and ADHD showcased the intricate link between executive function challenges and mental health. Transitioning from high anxiety levels and panic attacks to a calm demeanor with ADHD medication proved transformative, highlighting the profound impact of managing both conditions.
Navigating Burnout and Overcoming Performance Struggles
Jay's struggles with burnout reflected common challenges faced by individuals with ADHD. The pressure to excel in high-performance environments, coupled with executive function difficulties, often leads to feelings of low performance and tunnel vision. Overcoming burnout through diagnosis, treatment, and self-care propelled Jay towards exceeding expectations at work.
Empowering Communities and Addressing Mental Health Stigma
Driven by personal experiences, Jay founded supportive communities for women with ADHD at Google and later initiated the first virtual Asian ADHD peer support group. By creating inclusive spaces where individuals can share without fear of judgment, Jay aims to break stigmas surrounding mental health, particularly in Asian communities, fostering understanding and support.
ADHD coach Jaye Lin is no stranger to ADHD burnout. As an Asian American former gifted kid with undiagnosed ADHD, her parents thought she was just being lazy and not applying herself. This pressure and shame followed until her 30s, when her anxiety peaked while she was working at a high-pressure job.
Jaye’s therapist thought she was drug-seeking when she wanted to be screened for ADHD. Now, Jaye builds communities and helps others prioritize what’s important when tunnel vision takes over our lives.
Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give
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