Do you constantly feel like you’re not measuring up? If you have ADHD, you’ve probably felt the sting of low self-esteem – that persistent sense that something is fundamentally wrong with you. But what if low self-esteem isn’t part of your personality? What if it’s just a story you’ve been told about yourself, and that story has been wrong your whole life?
In this episode, we explore the deep connection between ADHD and self-esteem, why adults with ADHD consistently report lower confidence than the general population, and most importantly – what you can actually do about it.
What you’ll learn:
- The research behind ADHD and low self-esteem
- Why being undiagnosed can hurt more than being diagnosed
- How your diagnosis is actually the key to rebuilding confidence
- The difference between guilt and shame (and why it matters)
- The “shame cycle” that keeps ADHD adults stuck
- Why perfectionism is really about fear, not excellence
- The incredible strengths that come with ADHD
Practical Tools & Techniques:
- Cognitive reframing: “Or I could be thinking…” (works in under 60 seconds)
- Identity shifting: “I’m learning to become a person who…”
- Self-compassion practices that increase your energy
- Radical acceptance techniques
- Action-based confidence building
- Daily gratitude ties to existing habits
Personal Stories:
- My journey carrying shame about my education until my ADHD diagnosis at 42
- Real client breakthroughs showing how reframing self-worth changes everything
- The relief and regret that comes with late diagnosis
Your Action Menu:
- Try one reframe today: “Or I could be thinking…” and finish the sentence
- Use self-compassion when you make mistakes: “I’m learning to become a person who…”
- Tie gratitude to a daily habit like brushing teeth or making coffee
The Big Takeaway: You don’t have to fix your ADHD before you can feel good about yourself. It works the other way around. The more compassion you give yourself, the more energy and clarity you have to manage your ADHD symptoms.
Resources Mentioned:
- Brené Brown’s work on perfectionism and shame
- Louise Hay’s insights on limiting beliefs
- Research on ADHD and self-esteem
Connect & Share:
Leave a voice message with your questions, challenges, or wins at speakpipe.com/learntothrivewithADHD. Your message might be featured in a future episode!
Free Resources:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/learntothrivewithadhd/
Visual Goal Board Canva templates + Trello board template: www.learntothrivewithadhd.com/closingtheloop
Learn more about private coaching: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/services/
Free ADHD Resources: https://learntothrivewithadhd.com/freeresources/
Website: https://www.learntothrivewithadhd.com/
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/learntothrivewithadhd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learntothrivewithadhd/
Remember: You’re not broken. You’re just telling yourself the wrong story. What’s another story that’s also true, but better?