How can ADHD-related thought patterns contribute to imposter syndrome?
Imposter syndrome; the persistent belief that your achievements are accidental or undeserved is particularly common in people with ADHD. NHS and NICE guidance show that ADHD affects attention, emotional regulation, memory, and self-evaluation, all of which contribute to chronic self-doubt and the fear of being “found out” despite clear evidence of competence (NICE NG87).
How ADHD thought patterns shape feelings of fraudulence
Many of the cognitive tendencies seen in ADHD make it harder to internalise success. Working memory limitations mean positive feedback or achievements may not be stored as clearly as mistakes. As a result, someone may remember every misstep vividly but feel unsure how they reached their successes. The Royal College of Psychiatrists notes that poor self-monitoring and fluctuating performance intensify uncertainty about ability (RCPsych).
Rumination and catastrophising are also common. Individuals may repeatedly replay moments where they struggled, while discounting real achievements as “luck” or “other people helping.”
Negative filtering; focusing on what went wrong rather than what went well, reinforces the belief that success is not legitimate.
Emotional patterns that reinforce imposter syndrome
Emotional dysregulation makes negative feelings more intense and long-lasting. Even small mistakes can trigger shame or embarrassment, which then overshadows positive experiences. According to Oxford Health NHS, strong emotional responses can skew how people with ADHD interpret events and lead to harsh self-judgment (Oxford Health NHS).
Rejection sensitivity also plays a major role. Fear of criticism, scrutiny, or disappointing others makes success feel fragile, as if one mistake could expose a supposed lack of ability.
Masking; working extra hard to hide difficulties can further disconnect people from their achievements, because accomplishments feel tied to effortful compensation rather than genuine capability.
How inconsistent performance fuels self-doubt
Inconsistent performance is a hallmark of ADHD. NICE explains that “good days and bad days” can undermine confidence, because success doesn’t always feel repeatable or predictable (NICE NG87). When someone excels one day and struggles the next, achievements may feel accidental rather than earned.
This variability can feed the belief that others have overestimated your abilities; a core feature of imposter syndrome.
When anxiety and depression amplify imposter beliefs
Comorbid anxiety and depression increase negative self-talk and make it harder to internalise success. The Mayo Clinic notes that these conditions intensify worry about performance, reinforce perfectionism, and heighten fears of being judged or exposed (Mayo Clinic).
These overlapping mental health challenges create a cycle where people work harder to “prove” themselves but still feel undeserving of achievements.
A takeaway
ADHD-related thought patterns; from working memory difficulties to negative filtering and emotional sensitivity; make imposter syndrome far more likely. These experiences do not reflect a lack of ability or potential. They reflect the cognitive and emotional realities of ADHD. With the right support, many people learn to recognise their strengths, internalise success more confidently, and break the cycle of self-doubt.
