ADHD, Imposter Syndrome, and Self-Doubt:
Why Your Brain is Gaslighting You (And How to Fight Back!)
Imposter Syndrome, ADHD, and Me: A Love Triangle I Never Asked For"
You ever feel like you’re one step away from getting exposed as a fraud? Like any second, some guy in a cheap suit is gonna bust into your office with a clipboard and go, “Alright, we know. Pack it up. You don’t belong here.” That’s imposter syndrome, and let me tell you, I got it so bad, even my imposter syndrome has imposter syndrome.
And with ADHD? Forget about it. My brain’s running five businesses at once, but none of them are profitable. It’s like a casino with no cashiers—lots of action, no payout. I sit down to work, and suddenly I’m researching 18th-century shipbuilding techniques instead of answering an email. Who’s running this operation? Not me, I can tell you that.
ADHD & Imposter Syndrome: A Match Made in… Eh, Who Knows?
ADHD and imposter syndrome go together like my Aunt Sylvia and Brisket—messy, overwhelming, and somehow, always there at family gatherings.
First of all, I forget everything. Not just little things. I forget big things. You ever have someone congratulate you on something great you did, and you’re like, “Wait, I did that? When?” I once won an award at work and spent the whole ceremony convinced they called the wrong name. I was one step away from handing it back, like, “I appreciate the honor, but let’s be real here. Who actually did this?”
Then there’s the Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria, or as my grandmother called it, “Why do you take everything so personal?!” Someone says, “Hey, you made a small mistake in that report,” and suddenly my brain is like, “Pack a bag. We’re moving to Argentina and changing our name.”
My ADHD Brain is a Terrible Lawyer
Imposter syndrome is like being on trial every day. But instead of a good lawyer, my ADHD brain shows up unprepared, late, and holding a sandwich.
Prosecutor: "Ladies and gentlemen, this man is a fraud!"
My Brain: "Objection! Also, I forgot what we were talking about."
Judge: "Sustained. …Wait, what were we talking about?"
Me: "Listen, can we just pretend none of this happened and go get some pastrami?"
How to Fight Back (or At Least Confuse the Enemy)
Gaslight Yourself—But in a Nice Way
When your brain says, “You’re not good enough,” just respond, “That’s crazy, I literally am.” Fake confidence until your own neurons get exhausted and give up.Keep a “Brag File”
Every time someone compliments you, write it down. This way, when imposter syndrome kicks in, you can be like, “Actually, Bob from accounting said I’m a genius, so take it up with him.”Talk to People Who Also Feel Like Frauds
Nothing makes you feel more normal than realizing everyone thinks they’re faking it. I once met a surgeon who said, “Some days, I can’t believe they let me hold a scalpel.” I said, “Buddy, you’re cutting people open and I can’t even commit to a Google Doc title.”Realize No One Knows What They’re Doing
The biggest scam in history is adults acting like they have it all figured out. The guy who made up tax laws? Had no idea what he was doing. The person who invented the microwave? Probably just wanted warm coffee. I once worked for a guy who ran a whole company—and guess what? He couldn’t work a stapler. A STAPLER.
Final Thought
At the end of the day, imposter syndrome is just your brain’s way of making sure you care. And ADHD? It’s just the brain’s way of making sure you never get bored caring. So maybe—just maybe—the trick isn’t to get rid of them, but to make them work for you.
And if all else fails? Listen, they still let me have a driver’s license, a job, and an Amazon account. Somebody thinks I belong here.
And if they don’t? Eh, I’ll just move to Argentina.
So how does your imposter syndrome show up for you and how can you deal with it. Leave a comment!