Illustrator Advocates for Greater ADHD Awareness in Women

A Bristol-based illustrator, who experienced feeling on the “edge of burnout” prior to her ADHD diagnosis, is advocating for greater understanding of the condition within professional environments. Ana Jaks, residing in Stokes Croft, received her diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 2020 when she was 27 years old. Currently, she participates in the Staring Back At Me campaign, an initiative established to address the stigma associated with ADHD, especially concerning women and non-binary individuals. “I thought it was normal for people to feel as constantly stressed as I did,” Ana stated, reflecting on her professional experiences before her diagnosis. The Staring Back at Me campaign serves as an awareness initiative, designed to assist individuals in identifying ADHD symptoms and to underscore the stigma women can encounter in their professional settings. The initial stage of the project, concentrating on the indicators and manifestations of ADHD, commenced in 2022, whereas its subsequent phase, addressing ADHD within the workplace, began in October. For the campaign, Ana created illustrations for the inner lining of suit jackets, symbolizing the often-unseen presence of ADHD in professional environments. These illustrations, placed within the suit jacket linings, were donned by two ambassadors appearing in the campaign’s film. “I hope other women with ADHD do not fear being seen,” stated Jenny Mclaughlin, an ambassador for the Staring Back at Me campaign. She added, “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.” Prior to the heightened recognition of ADHD, Ana recounted feeling compelled to “mask” her condition in her professional life, a practice that intensified 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,” she explained. She further elaborated, “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.” Despite a current rise in ADHD awareness, an estimated 50-75% of women continue to be undiagnosed, and comprehension of the condition remains insufficient, according to Professor Amanda Kirby, who chairs the ADHD Foundation. “This is especially true in the workplace,” Professor Kirby appended. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition capable of influencing variations in how individuals think, learn, process information, and act. A study carried out in 2018 indicated that as many as 75% of women in the UK living with ADHD currently lack a diagnosis. Studies reveal that women are routinely under-diagnosed during childhood. The National Library of Medicine reports that ADHD symptoms manifest distinctly in girls compared to boys, with girls frequently displaying more “internalised” symptoms like distraction, disorganization, and forgetfulness. Adults affected by ADHD might experience difficulties concerning: Additionally, some adults could encounter challenges with relationships or social interactions. Ana initially observed her symptoms during her school years, recognizing that she was excessively distracted and impulsive. She discontinued her A-Levels, feeling unable to cope due to her struggles with anxiety and depression. Ana received her diagnosis in 2020, shortly after graduating from university and while employed as a freelancer in a studio environment. “I wasn’t functioning in the same way as everybody else and I couldn’t quite understand what it was. And I remember saying to myself – ‘I just want to grow out of this’ – but I didn’t know what ‘this’ was,” she recalled. Upon finally receiving her ADHD diagnosis at the age of 27, Ana experienced a sense of being able to comprehend 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,” she shared. She continued, “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 receiving her diagnosis, Ana has discovered that prioritizing sleep, engaging in daily exercise, and spending time outdoors have been beneficial for managing her ADHD. She stated that she now feels more capable of understanding her own mind and articulating her requirements. “In the workplace I do still have to push myself forward a bit more to act a certain way. But then everyone does,” she remarked. She added, “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.” Readers can follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas may be submitted via email or by contacting 0800 313 4630 on WhatsApp. This content is copyrighted by BBC, 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external websites. 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