ADHD

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Relevant Lemmy communities:

Neurodivergent Life Hacks

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How does one find a career that won't cause them burnout? (self.adhd)

submitted 1 year ago by WatTyler to c/[email protected]

23 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I've experienced burnout throughout work and education since I was sixteen. Usually around once every 12-18 months. I've accrued a lot of associated trauma.

For context, burnout for me is extreme depression and executive dysfunction lasting for months at a time to the extent I stop all work and social activities.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

I feel driven to respond after reading your response to BugleFingers (whose response I agree with). It really sucks you are feeling shame about your difficulties with working. I believe a lot (not all) of the difficulties that neurodivergent people have with work isn't anything to do with them, but about the pressures of living under the tyranny of late-stage capitalism.

I don't think you not being able to work without burning out is evidence there's something wrong with you, I think it shows that most people don't get any kind of support in finding sustainable work. I hope you can find a way to forgive yourself for whatever you feel are your failings around employment because you've done nothing wrong.

Apart from what BugleFingers wrote (especially doing work you are interested in), I found self-employment/freelance work to be life changing. I like being my own boss because I can choose when I work and when I don't (with restrictions, obviously) and have found a way to make it work for me and my family.

It feels important to say it took me time to get to a point where this was financially practical, though. I went through a lot of jobs where I went through a cycle very similar to yours (don't listen to the person trying to diagnose you with more disorders; you getting depressed from work doesn't equal another diagnosis). I found my profession by doing jobs that seemed interesting and honing down what I actually liked. I think it's about balancing out what is important to you (e.g., making money, having nice things, having free time, ext.) with what is necessary (e.g., housing, food, bills, etc.).

I hope you can find a job that works for you, OP. Good luck.