Free Health Updates
Skip to main content
Table of Contents
< All Topics
Print

Why do I feel like I’m always being judged with ADHD? 

Posted
Updated
ByMy Patient Advice
Author: Avery Lombardi, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Many people with ADHD describe a constant feeling of being judged, whether by colleagues, friends, or even themselves. According to NHS guidance on ADHD, this sensitivity often stems from emotional regulation differences, rejection sensitivity, and experiences of stigma or misunderstanding. 

Start your ADHD journey today

Rejection sensitivity and emotional triggers 

A key reason people with ADHD feel constantly judged is something called Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). This refers to an intense emotional response to perceived criticism or rejection. Even minor feedback can feel overwhelming or deeply personal. 

Research published in SAGE Journals (2024) found that rejection sensitivity and emotional dysregulation are closely linked in ADHD, often leading to anxiety about how others perceive you. 

Clinicians from The London Neurocognitive Clinic note that emotional regulation differences can make social experiences feel magnified. What might be a neutral comment to someone else may feel like disapproval or criticism to someone with ADHD. 

Stigma and misunderstanding 

Beyond biology, many people with ADHD carry the emotional weight of stigma or past invalidation. According to PubMed research on ADHD stigma, repeated experiences of being misunderstood or dismissed can lead to self-doubt and social withdrawal. 

The NHS England ADHD Taskforce also highlights how cultural misunderstanding around ADHD contributes to shame, low self-esteem, and reluctance to seek help. 

Assessment and post-diagnostic care through ADHD Certify can help individuals better understand these emotional patterns, improving self-awareness and access to tailored support. 

How to manage the feeling of being judged 

According to NICE guidance (NG87), psychological interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help challenge beliefs like “everyone is criticising me” and replace them with more balanced, self-compassionate thoughts. 

Mindfulness and compassion-based therapies, recommended in NICE social wellbeing guidance (NG223), can also help reduce reactivity to perceived judgment and support emotional regulation. 

A gentle takeaway 

If you often feel judged, remember this is not a flaw in your character. It is a reflection of how ADHD can shape emotional processing and self-perception. With understanding, therapy, and support, it is entirely possible to stop interpreting every glance or comment as criticism and start building a kinder, steadier sense of self-worth. 

Avery Lombardi, MSc
Author

Avery Lombardi is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She has professional experience in psychological assessment, evidence-based therapy, and research, working with both child and adult populations. Avery has provided clinical services in hospital, educational, and community settings, delivering interventions such as CBT, DBT, and tailored treatment plans for conditions including anxiety, depression, and developmental disorders. She has also contributed to research on self-stigma, self-esteem, and medication adherence in psychotic patients, and has created educational content on ADHD, treatment options, and daily coping strategies.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy. 

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS
Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy. 

Categories