When the 9–5 Breaks You: Burnout, Identity & Neurodivergence | Office Space [Ft. Dr. Han Ren]

Today, we’re honored to sit down with the brilliant Dr. Han Ren — licensed psychologist, educator, neurodivergent therapist, and upcoming author. In this raw, honest episode, we dive into the cult classic Office Space 🧠💼 to talk about what it really feels like to work in a world that wasn’t built for you — especially if you're autistic, ADHD, BIPOC, queer, or just tired of playing by corporate rules.

😵‍💫 Burnout vs. Moral Injury

We start with the day-to-day absurdity of office life: staring at your screen, counting down the hours, silently praying that no one bothers you. But it goes deeper. Dr. Han and Dr. Naz explore the concept of moral injury — when your job demands you betray your values to survive.

This isn’t just burnout. It’s the emotional damage of working for unethical companies, staying quiet about injustice, or selling parts of your identity just to make it through the day. For neurodivergent folks, masking and pushing through can leave lasting psychological wounds.

🏢 The Politics of Promotion & Pain

We get real about how neurodivergent people are often underemployed, overlooked, and misjudged. Why? Because we don’t play the game — we don’t do office politics, fake small talk, or kiss up to get ahead.

We talk about how people with privilege can "fail forward" while marginalized folks work twice as hard with half the recognition. And we break down how office “rewards” — pizza parties, fake bonuses, “casual Fridays” — are just bandaids over systemic issues.

💔 When Work Becomes Your Whole Identity

One of the most powerful moments in the film involves an employee who’s fired and then attempts suicide. We explore how, especially for men and older generations, job loss feels like identity loss. When your worth is wrapped up in your job title, losing it can feel like losing your entire sense of self.

But there’s hope. More people today are realizing they’re more than their degree, their job, or their LinkedIn bio. Inside Out-style, we’re all made up of multiple identities, and one loss doesn’t define us.

🧁 Milton, Autism & Workplace Neglect

We take a close look at Milton — a clearly autistic-coded character. His verbal tics, overstimulation, rigid routines, black-and-white thinking, and communication style paint a clear picture of someone who needs support, not ridicule. But instead, he’s teased, overlooked, and gaslit.

This is how subtle ableism shows up: taking someone’s cake, ignoring their requests, moving their desk without explanation — all because they’re “weird” or don’t fit the office mold. It’s comedy on the surface, but it reflects very real trauma for neurodivergent folks who’ve experienced a lifetime of exclusion and dismissal.

🎤 About Dr. Han Ren

Dr. Han is not only a therapist but a nationally known speaker and mental health advocate. They run a neurodivergent-affirming group practice offering therapy and assessments across the U.S. Their upcoming book in 2026.

🧁 Final Thoughts: You Deserve the Cake

To find our new guest:

https://www.instagram.com/dr.han.ren/

https://beacons.ai/drhanren

https://www.drhanren.com/

Thanks for checking out Different Spectrums! 🎙️ We're a podcast led by licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who explore emotions in movies and shows. Our mission is to normalize mental health challenges and promote understanding.

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