Rachael Reid
She is now part of a campaign called Staring Back At Me, which was created to combat ADHD stigma, particularly around women and non-binary people.
“I thought it was normal for people to feel as constantly stressed as I did,” said Ana, describing her work life before diagnosis.
Staring Back at Me is a disease awareness campaign, aiming to help people recognise the symptoms of ADHD, while highlighting the stigma that women may face in the workplace.
The first phase of the project, which focused on signs and symptoms of ADHD, was launched in 2022, while the second phase, focusing on ADHD in the workplace, was launched in October.
As part of the campaign, Ana designed illustrations for the linings of suit jackets that represent the invisible nature of ADHD in the workplace.
The illustrations featured inside the linings of the suit jackets, which were worn by two ambassadors in the campaign’s movie.
“I hope other women with ADHD do not fear being seen,” said Jenny Mclaughlin, Staring Back at Me campaign ambassador.
“I hope this campaign and my story shows the strengths someone with ADHD can bring to the workplace. All we need is the right environment and support to thrive.”
Before the increase in ADHD awareness, Ana said she felt she had to “mask” her condition while at work, which only exacerbated her symptoms.
“Eventually you start to slip and you start to wobble and fall apart. The longer that you’ve been doing that, the more severe the collapse of that is going to be.”
“You’re pretending to be something that you’re not and that imposter syndrome turns into self-esteem issues and it can manifest itself as anxiety and depression.”
Although there is now an increase in awareness of ADHD, approximately 50-75% of women remain undiagnosed and there is still a lack of understanding of the condition, said Professor Amanda Kirby, chair of the ADHD Foundation.
“This is especially true in the workplace,” she added.
Adults with ADHD may find they have problems with:
- Organisation and time management
- Following instructions
- Focusing and completing tasks
- Coping with stress
- Feeling restless or impatient
- Impulsiveness and risk taking
Some adults may also have issues with relationships or social interaction.
Ana first noticed her symptoms at school when she found that she was overly distracted and impulsive.
She dropped out of her A-Levels because she felt she could not keep up as she struggled with anxiety and depression.
Finally receiving her ADHD diagnosis at 27, Ana felt she was finally able to understand herself.
“There’s a relief, but it quickly turns into thinking, ‘Oh, my life could have been a lot easier’ if I’d known sooner.
“I remember crying a lot. It was quite strange to have someone affirm everything that I had struggled with and it wasn’t because I was rubbish at life. There’s a lot of grief that comes with it. From speaking to other people that have had a diagnosis it’s quite a common feeling.”
Since her diagnosis, Ana has found that prioritising sleep, daily exercise and spending time outdoors have helped with her ADHD.
She said she now feels better equipped to understand her mind and communicate her needs.
“In the workplace I do still have to push myself forward a bit more to act a certain way. But then everyone does,” she said.
“The clients I have spoken to [about my diagnosis] have been really great and really accommodating. I’ve only had positive experiences when I have spoken about it.”
The article discusses the experience of Ana Jaks, an illustrator from Bristol, who was diagnosed with ADHD and is actively advocating for increased awareness of the condition, particularly in the workplace. Ana has been involved in a campaign titled “Staring Back At Me,” which aims to combat the stigma surrounding ADHD, especially for women and non-binary individuals.
Key points from the article include:
- Burnout before Diagnosis: Ana felt overwhelmed and on the “edge of burnout” due to the demands of her work before she received her diagnosis. She believed the constant stress was a normal part of working life.
- Campaign Details: The “Staring Back At Me” campaign works to raise awareness of ADHD symptoms and the challenges faced by individuals, particularly women, in professional environments. The first phase began in 2022, focusing on recognizing ADHD symptoms, while the second phase, launched in October, emphasizes the condition’s impact in the workplace.
- Campaign Art: As a part of the campaign, Ana created illustrations that were incorporated into the linings of suit jackets, symbolizing the often invisible struggles of living with ADHD in professional settings.
- Impacts of ADHD: Jenny Mclaughlin, a campaign ambassador, spoke about her hope that sharing their stories would highlight the strengths individuals with ADHD bring to their jobs when provided the right support.
- Challenges Faced: Before understanding her condition, Ana felt pressured to “mask” her symptoms at work, which worsened her feelings of anxiety and depression. This struggle with imposter syndrome and self-esteem was exacerbated by the need to conform to a non-authentic persona.
- Need for Improved Awareness: Despite increased recognition of ADHD, many women remain undiagnosed, reflecting a significant gap in understanding the condition, especially in professional circles. Professor Amanda Kirby noted that a large percentage of women go undiagnosed and emphasized the particular difficulties faced in workplace settings.
- Symptoms of ADHD: The article lists common challenges that adults with ADHD may encounter, including issues with organization, following instructions, focusing, managing stress, and impulsiveness. There are also implications for social interactions and relationships.
the article sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with ADHD and the importance of awareness and support in the workplace to foster an inclusive environment.