How does ADHD impact the ability to recognise achievements?
People with ADHD often report that their successes don’t “register” in the same way as their mistakes. This isn’t due to lack of awareness or modesty; it reflects how ADHD affects attention, memory, reward processing, and self-belief. According to NHS and NICE guidance, difficulties with self-esteem, working memory, and emotional regulation all influence how achievements are processed and valued (NICE NG87; NHS).
Why achievements are harder to notice or remember
Working memory challenges mean positive outcomes may not be encoded or recalled clearly. People with ADHD often remember where things went wrong, but can’t easily bring to mind what went well. As the Royal College of Psychiatrists notes, executive dysfunction affects self-monitoring and makes performance harder to evaluate accurately (RCPsych).
Selective attention also plays a part. ADHD brains tend to prioritise the most emotionally intense or problematic moments; typically mistakes or setbacks. Achievements, especially small ones, may feel fleeting or insignificant in comparison.
Emotional patterns that overshadow success
Emotional dysregulation means feelings connected to stress, frustration, or embarrassment last longer and feel more powerful than the brief satisfaction of a positive moment. This imbalance reinforces a long-term bias toward focusing on shortcomings rather than strengths.
Rejection sensitivity can also make praise uncomfortable or hard to believe. If positive feedback clashes with a negative self-schema, it may be dismissed as luck or kindness rather than a reflection of genuine achievement.
Differences in reward processing
ADHD involves differences in dopamine activity, which affects how rewarding success feels. Research shows that individuals with ADHD experience a weaker internal reward response and need faster, clearer reinforcement to feel motivated (PubMed). As a result, achievements may not trigger the same emotional “reward signal” that helps cement confidence and self-recognition in others.
This blunted reward response contributes to the sense that progress doesn’t count or is quickly overshadowed by what still feels unfinished.
The role of upbringing, school experiences, and masking
Many children with ADHD grow up hearing more correction than praise. Over time, this shapes a belief system where mistakes are emphasised and successes are minimised. Comparing themselves with neurotypical peers; who may appear more consistent or organised can deepen the sense of underachievement, regardless of actual accomplishments.
Masking and perfectionism also make achievements harder to acknowledge. If success comes through disproportionate effort or compensation, it may feel undeserved or “not real.”
A takeaway
Struggling to recognise achievements is a widely reported and clinically understood aspect of ADHD. It’s not a personal failing; it’s a reflection of how ADHD affects memory, emotion, and motivation. With support that emphasises strengths, celebrates progress, and offers consistent feedback, many people learn to see their achievements more clearly and value them more confidently.
