Recovering perfectionist, no longer a martyr (Kim Tran’s story) | ADHD Aha!

Kim Tran spent years chasing perfection: a high achiever who believed struggle wasn’t an option. As an Asian American woman raised with the pressures of the model minority myth, asking for help felt like failure. But after being encouraged three separate times to get evaluated for ADHD, Kim finally said yes — after becoming a mom and realizing she wanted something different for her child. In this conversation, Kim talks about perfectionism, cultural expectations, and why martyrdom isn’t a badge of honor. She shares how learning to ask for help reshaped her life, and how she’s modeling a healthier path for the next generation. For more on this topic ADHD and perfectionism https://www.understood.org/en/articles/adhd-and-perfectionism ADHD and model minority mask (Emily’s story) https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/adhd-aha/adhd-masking-model-minority For a transcript and more resources, visit ADHD Aha! on Understood.org. https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/adhd-aha/recovering-perfectionist-model-minority You can also email us at [email protected]. Questions about learning and thinking differences? Get answers and expert-vetted resources by asking the AI-powered Understood Assistant: https://www.understood.org/en/assistant?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=assistant-agn-prod&utm_content=video 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 https://www.understood.org/en/donate?sc=AHA0725YTO&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=fundraising-agn-vid-adhdaha&utm_content=video For more resources, support, and excellent memes, subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/understoodorg/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Understood/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@understood.org Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/understoodorg/