11 Hidden Struggles of High Achievers with ADHD:
What does Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, & Michael Jordan all have in common?
They all have ADHD and are High Achievers….
High Achievers with ADHD can face specific challenges that impact their performance and wellbeing…
11 Hidden Struggles of High Achievers with ADHD:
1. Never Satisfied: Despite accomplishments, high achieving ADHDers may feel a persistent sense of underachievement and may never truly feel satisfied, regardless of their results and or accolades.
2. Inaccurate Self View: ADHDers can have a poor self view due to high expectations. It’s not uncommon for them to see themselves as less effective or not as powerful compared to how other people perceive them to be.
3. Work-to-Burnout Cycle: People with ADHD have an uncanny ability to hyper-fixate on a task or interest of choice (once they get started of course!). That said, it is very common for ADHDers to become fully absorbed by their work and or passion project. They may even work on the task at hand past the point of feeling emotionally and physically drained which can result is frequent periods of burnout.
4. Inconsistent Performance: The performance of people with ADHD may vary significantly, with periods of exceptional output followed by periods of lower productivity due to fluctuating energy and focus levels. 5. Neglecting Self-Care: An ADHDers intense focus on achieving their goals can result in neglecting basic self care and or personal wellbeing; most commonly… a lack of sleep, exercise, and poor nutrition to name a few.
6. Endless Anxiety: Underneath all the results, there can be an undercurrent of anxiety and worry for high achieving ADHDers. Due to the constant splitting of attention and focus into many competing tasks and priorities, one stabilizing feeling ADHDers can cling to for better or worse is that of worry. Worry kept us safe and on our toes from the sabertooth tiger 10,000 years ago, but these days, worry just keeps us chronically overwhelmed and up late at night worrying until the wee hours of the morning.
7. Lack of Security: Regardless of their actual stability, many ADHDers note feeling insecure and fear everything they worked so hard to gain collapsing all around them in any given moment.
8. Depressed After Success: When disengaged from stimulating pursuits, it’s common for ADHDers to have a change in mood. This mood change often occurs after completing important projects or achievements.
9. Rebellion Without Reason: ADHDers have trouble following structured methods and procedures. It’s less a rebellion of authority and more about one’s own boredom, frustration, and impatience with the process. Novel and new approaches are more interesting to ADHDers, so they may come up with a “ better” way regardless if it’s helpful or hurtful to their end result.
10. High Risk & Impulsive Behavior: Individuals with ADHD may engage in high-risk and impulsive behaviors, such as risky spending, impulsive actions, or pursuing challenging careers. Their restlessness and drive for new thrills can lead to a high-stimulation lifestyle that may endanger their health, stability, and overall well-being.
11. Increased Risk of Addiction: Individuals with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing substance use disorder. The impulsivity and need for stimulation associated with ADHD can lead some to seek out drugs, supplements, alcohol, or even energy drinks for emotional and cognitive relief or excitement.
Were any of these 11 struggles surprisingly accurate for you? Email me back how many were accurate for you…
In support of your growth and greatness,
Devin J. Weafer - MBA, BCC
"Live For What Matters"
Executive Coach & Business Consultant
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