The Diagnosis That Finally Made Everything Make Sense: ADHD, Anxiety, and an Eating Disorder with Jay Salazar
About this episode
Jay Salazar discusses his experiences with ADHD, anxiety, and eating disorders, highlighting the impact of a late diagnosis and the importance of vulnerability in mental health.
Middle school teacher and content creator Jay Salazar joins for a candid conversation about living with ADHD, anxiety, and eating disorders — and what changed after receiving a late ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. Jay opens up about growing up with rigid, all-or-nothing thinking, relying on spite as motivation, and struggling silently with disordered eating, body image, and overstimulation. Together, they explore the connection between ADHD and emotional regulation, how therapy became a turning point in his recovery, and why vulnerability matters — especially for men and Latino communities where mental health stigma can run deep. Jay also shares practical strategies for working with a neurodivergent brain, creating supportive classroom culture, and embracing the idea that growth is never linear. Links: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejaysalazar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejaysalazar_ Mental Note Podcast www.mentalnotepodcast.com Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center: www.pathlightbh.com Eating Recovery Center: www.eatingrecoverycenter.com Free Group Support: https://www.pathlightbh.com/support-groups Free Evaluation with a Trained Therapist: (877) 850-7199
People in this episode
Host: Mental Note
Guest: Jay Salazar
Topics covered
- ADHD
- anxiety
- eating disorders
- mental health
- vulnerability
- neurodivergent strategies
Keywords
- ADHD
- anxiety
- eating disorders
- mental health stigma
- neurodivergent
- emotional regulation
- therapy
- body image
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center, Eating Recovery Center, Mental Note Podcast
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