'I lost my job because of ADHD…': Viral layoff story exposes corporate struggle, expert explains why this is more common in workplaces than thought

In the high-stakes, “hustle-first” ecosystem of Indian tech, there is a currency more valuable than equity: Executive Function. But for a growing number of professionals, that currency is in permanent deficit. Last week, a post on a niche subreddit for Indian Product Managers (PMs) pulled back the curtain on a quiet epidemic. It wasn’t the usual chatter about roadmap priorities; it was a career obituary. “I lost my job because of my ADHD,” the user wrote. They described themselves as “creative AF” but ultimately paralyzed by a “monkey brain” that refused to see a single task to the finish line. The user wasn’t surprised by their layoff. They were just exhausted from years of “masking” – the brutal art of pretending to be neurotypical in a world designed for spreadsheets.

The “always busy” paradox

The Reddit post highlights a tragic irony: the very traits that make a visionary PM – the ability to connect dots others miss – are often the ones that lead to their downfall. Dr. Gourav Gupta, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and CEO of Tulasi Healthcare, Delhi, identifies this as a failure of regulation rather than a lack of effort. “Adults with ADHD frequently report they’re ‘always busy,’ which is due to an inability to regulate their attention and prioritize work,” says Dr. Gupta. “Instead of focusing on one important task, they switch between several things... creating the illusion of being productive, when in fact, the individual has not progressed toward achieving anything meaningful.”

Reddit post:

In the high-pressure corridors of Bengaluru and Gurugram, “flaws” in execution are rarely met with systemic support. Instead, they are met with Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) and, eventually, the exit door.

The exhausting art of “masking”

Why do these collapses happen so suddenly after years of success? Because high-achievers are masters of disguise. Dr. Gupta notes that creative individuals often “mask” their symptoms for years, using their intelligence to find creative ways to compensate. They survive by working unsustainable midnight hours to hide daytime distractions or relying on last-minute adrenaline to “sprint” through tasks. But this success is fragile. As Dr. Gupta warns, this creates a “burden of chronic stress and anxiety” that eventually leads to a crash. The Redditor’s story isn’t about a sudden failure; it’s about the moment the mask finally became too heavy to wear.

Vision vs. paperwork: Why creativity fails the metric test

The modern Indian workplace is a minefield for the ADHD brain. We demand “out of the box” thinking, but we measure it with rigid administrative machinery. Dr. Gupta identifies a specific neurological bottleneck: Task Paralysis. “Estimating how much time is needed and initiating a task – known as ‘task paralysis’ – creates major delays in completing critical responsibilities,” Dr. Gupta explains. “Emotional dysregulation and feelings of being overwhelmed further contribute to the inability to work efficiently.” For someone with ADHD, the brain doesn’t naturally rank a “boring” high-priority email above an “exciting” brainstorm. This isn’t a lack of discipline; it’s a neurological deficit in the brain’s “planning and execution” center.

The medication taboo: “Fraud” or “scaffold”?

Perhaps the most polarizing part of the viral post was the user’s resistance to help, dismissing medication as a “fraud industry” that would “numb” their creativity. It is a fear common among India’s creative elite: If I fix my brain, will I lose my edge? Dr. Gupta offers a sharp reality check. Without support, these individuals face periods of inconsistent performance that destroy self-confidence. “Many individuals will also experience feelings of impostorship due to their success being perceived as fragile or undeserving,” says Dr. Gupta. The clinical reality is that untreated ADHD often leads to debilitating depression and emotional exhaustion. Choosing “optimism” for the sake of the family – as the Redditor intends – is a noble sentiment, but as a long-term strategy, it ignores the biological reality of the condition.

The verdict: A structural failure

India’s tech culture celebrates the “hustle,” the 9-to-9 grind, and constant context-switching. But we are asking people to be “Creative AF” while simultaneously demanding they be “Administrative AF.” This Redditor isn’t an isolated case; they are the “canary in the coal mine” for a workforce that is brilliantly creative but neurologically overstretched. If we want the brilliance of neurodivergent minds in our “Digital India,” we have to stop firing them for the very traits that – if managed – make them our most valuable assets. Is the Indian corporate world ready to accommodate the “Monkey Brain,” or are we only interested in the output it produces until the engine explodes?Thumb image: Canva (for representative purposes only)

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