Why do individuals with ADHD doubt their accomplishments despite positive feedback?
Many adults with ADHD describe a persistent sense of self-doubt, even when they receive praise or achieve strong results. According to NHS guidance, ADHD is often linked with long-term difficulties in organisation, focus and follow-through, and these experiences can shape beliefs about competence and potential. Over time, this can make success feel accidental rather than earned.
Why self-doubt is common in ADHD
NHS Talking Therapies, including the HPFT low-self-esteem webinar, note that adults with ADHD often minimise positive feedback and focus more on mistakes or struggles. The Royal College of Psychiatrists also highlights that many adults experience chronic underachievement relative to their potential, creating a long-standing sense of “not doing well enough”.
Executive-function challenges such as planning, time management and working memory mean success may come with extra effort, last-minute working or periods of hyperfocus followed by difficulty sustaining routine tasks. This inconsistency can make achievements feel less legitimate; as though they were luck or crisis-driven rather than skill-based.
Emotional patterns that reinforce doubt
ADHD is strongly associated with anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, as shown in a 2024 umbrella review. These conditions can bias self-appraisal, leading people to mistrust praise or assume they are “getting away with it”.
Rejection sensitivity; a heightened reaction to criticism, may also play a role. Adults who expect negative feedback may discount positive comments because they conflict with long-standing beliefs about themselves.
Late diagnosis, stigma, and years of misunderstanding can further shape self-doubt. Qualitative UK research shows that many adults internalise labels such as “lazy” or “inconsistent”, particularly before diagnosis, and struggle to recognise achievements as evidence of ability.
Workplace and academic influences
Many adults with ADHD have histories of not meeting expectations at school or work. Studies show higher work impairment and inconsistent performance, meaning people often compare their achievements against an ideal of consistent productivity. Even when praised for specific successes, they may feel they “should have done it more easily” or “others would have done it better”.
NHS workplace materials, such as Berkshire Healthcare’s ADHD at work guide, note that adults may work longer hours or rely on last-minute bursts to compensate; making success feel fragile rather than secure.
Strategies that can help
NHS CBT tools such as Every Mind Matters self-help techniques can help challenge self-critical thoughts and develop more balanced interpretations of achievement. Techniques include identifying automatic doubts (“I only did well by luck”) and replacing them with evidence-based alternatives.
NICE recommends psychological interventions for functional impairment, and these often include skills to support organisation, emotional regulation and confidence, key components of reducing self-doubt. Strengths-based approaches, supported by research such as the BMJ Open ‘Silver linings of ADHD’ study, encourage individuals to recognise creativity, resilience and problem-solving as legitimate abilities.
Workplace adjustments such as clear expectations, prioritised task lists and regular check-ins recommended in ACAS neurodiversity guidance can make performance more stable and help individuals see achievements as consistent and repeatable.
Private pathways like ADHD Certify can also support adults seeking structured assessment and medication reviews aligned with UK clinical standards.
Takeaway
Doubting accomplishments is a common and understandable experience in ADHD. It often stems from years of misunderstood challenges, fluctuating performance, emotional difficulties, and internalised negative beliefs, not a lack of ability. With evidence-informed strategies, psychological support, and appropriate adjustments, individuals can build a more accurate sense of their strengths and trust positive feedback more fully.
