Why do I feel like I’m always in trouble with ADHD?

PostedDecember 2, 2025

UpdatedDecember 29, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Avery Lombardi, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Many adults with ADHD describe a constant sense of being “in trouble” as if they’re always letting someone down. According to NHS guidance, this feeling isn’t about character or effort, but about how ADHD affects emotional processing, attention, and daily organisation.

Emotional sensitivity and rejection

People with ADHD often experience stronger emotional responses than neurotypical peers. This heightened sensitivity sometimes called rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) can make criticism, or even the perception of disapproval, feel overwhelming. As NHS explains, repeated negative feedback throughout life can condition the brain to expect rejection, even when none is intended (NHS, 2025).

Impulsivity and misunderstanding

NICE guidance (NG87) notes that impulsivity speaking out of turn, interrupting, or acting without forethought is a core symptom of ADHD. While unintentional, these behaviours can be misread as rudeness or carelessness, leading to frequent reprimands or strained relationships. Over time, the social cost of being “misunderstood” can be exhausting.

Executive dysfunction and everyday mistakes

Forgetfulness, lateness, and disorganisation are hallmark signs of ADHD-related executive dysfunction. According to Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust’s adult ADHD guide, these traits are often mistaken for laziness or lack of effort, which can create chronic feelings of shame and inadequacy. The cycle of “trying hard but still getting it wrong” fuels the belief that you’re always in trouble.

Impact on confidence and self-esteem

The Royal College of Psychiatrists notes that repeated negative experiences from school detentions to workplace criticism can gradually erode self-esteem. Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD internalise blame for behaviours driven by their condition, leading to anxiety, self-doubt, and burnout.

Getting the right support

According to NICE NG87 recommendations, structured psychoeducation and emotional regulation support can significantly improve wellbeing and relationships. For diagnostic clarity and treatment planning, private services such as ADHD Certify provide ADHD assessments and medication reviews with qualified clinicians, following NICE and NHS standards.

The takeaway

Feeling “always in trouble” isn’t a personal failing it’s a common emotional consequence of living with ADHD in environments that don’t always understand it. With proper recognition, support, and tailored strategies, it’s possible to rebuild confidence and break that lifelong pattern of self-blame.

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.