What cognitive distortions contribute to imposter syndrome in ADHD? 

Many adults with ADHD describe a persistent sense of “not being good enough”, “fooling people”, or feeling undeserving of their achievements. Although research hasn’t yet directly measured ADHD-specific imposter syndrome, high-quality evidence shows that adults with ADHD experience patterns of thinking and self-evaluation that closely mirror it. A 2025 daily-diary study found that adults with ADHD had consistently lower momentary self-esteem and more self-doubt than non-ADHD peers, especially during procrastination or periods alone (daily-diary study). 

Below are the cognitive distortions most linked to imposter-like experiences in ADHD; supported by evidence from CBT studies, metacognition research, qualitative work and NICE guidance. 

All-or-nothing thinking (“If I’m not perfect, I’m failing”) 

Adults with ADHD often judge themselves in extremes; a known cognitive distortion. Review-level evidence shows that negative global beliefs such as “I always fail” or “I’m unreliable” are common and directly undermine self-esteem and motivation (CBT review). These rigid patterns can make any small difficulty feel like proof of incompetence. 

Discounting positives (“It was just luck”) 

A 2020 CBT-oriented study found that greater ADHD symptom severity predicted more frequent cognitive distortions, including minimising achievements and attributing success to chance (cognitive distortions study). This distortion is a core feature of imposter syndrome and is widely reported in qualitative ADHD studies where adults say they “overcompensate” or “mask” to appear competent. 

Overgeneralisation (“I got one thing wrong, so I’m useless”) 

Longitudinal work shows that ADHD symptoms in adolescence predict lower self-esteem later on, contributing to broad negative self-judgements across situations (developmental study). These global self-evaluations amplify everyday mistakes into sweeping conclusions about ability or worth. 

Catastrophising (“If people see the real me, everything will fall apart”) 

Emotional dysregulation; common in adults with ADHD, can intensify negative appraisals. A 2025 review highlights that shame and rapidly escalating emotions can lead people to catastrophise outcomes and interpret difficulties as personal flaws (emotional dysregulation review). This makes imposter fears feel high-stakes and urgent. 

Mind-reading (“They think I’m incompetent”) 

Qualitative research on masking describes adults feeling constantly evaluated and assuming others view them negatively, even without evidence (masking qualitative work). These assumptions are common cognitive distortions in anxiety and strongly overlap with imposter experiences. 

“Should” statements (“I should be as organised as everyone else”) 

Because ADHD affects executive functioning, many adults compare themselves to peers without considering these differences. NICE NG87 highlights that structured psychological interventions should address unrealistic expectations, thought patterns and coping strategies in ADHD (NICE NG87). “Should” statements contribute to feelings of failure when ADHD-related challenges make certain tasks harder. 

Emotional reasoning (“I feel overwhelmed, so I must be incompetent”) 

Meta­cognitive research shows adults with ADHD may misjudge their performance due to discrepancies between subjective perception and objective results (metacognition study). When emotional dysregulation is high, negative feelings can be mistaken for evidence of inadequacy. 

Fear-based predictions (“If I slow down or ask for help, I’ll be exposed”) 

CBT literature emphasises that untested predictions maintain anxiety and avoidance. In ADHD, qualitative studies report fear of being “found out”, often leading to perfectionism, overpreparing or avoiding supportive conversations altogether (late-diagnosis qualitative research). 

Why these distortions are so common in ADHD 

• Low self-esteem is well-documented in adults with ADHD and mediates distress, depression and anxiety (systematic review). 

• Masking and overcompensation are common coping strategies, often reinforcing feelings of inauthenticity. 

• Emotional dysregulation intensifies negative thinking, making distortions feel true and urgent. 

• Metacognitive discrepancies mean people may not accurately judge their performance, further fuelling doubt. 

• Social comparison can be harsher when difficulties with organisation, planning, or focus are misunderstood as personal failings. 

Takeaway 

Imposter syndrome isn’t formally defined within ADHD research, but many adults experience cognitive distortions that mirror it closely; from discounting achievements to assuming others will “discover” their weaknesses. Understanding these patterns is the first step in challenging them. If these thoughts feel persistent or overwhelming, psychological support such as CBT, recommended by NICE for adults with ADHD, can help individuals develop more balanced and self-compassionate thinking. This article is for general information only for personalised advice, speak to a GP or a qualified mental health professional.