Yes, sometimes burnouts may be more frequent in those who have undiagnosed ADHD.
Without understanding that difficulties with concentration, inattentiveness, and adapting to complex job requirements are related to ADHD, they may experience ongoing frustration and stress.
This can lead to a cycle of burnout and job changes without addressing the underlying issues, making ADHD burnout a common occurrence.
How can undiagnosed ADHD cause burnout?
Here’s how undiagnosed ADHD specifically increases burnout risk compared to diagnosed ADHD:
Lack of Understanding and Self-Awareness
Without a diagnosis, individuals may misattribute their ADHD symptoms to personal failings rather than a neurological condition.
While someone with diagnosed ADHD might recognize that their difficulty focusing stems from their neurodiversity and can seek appropriate accommodations, an undiagnosed person often blames themselves for being “lazy” or “incompetent.”
This self-blame creates additional psychological stress that compounds burnout risk.
Ineffective Compensatory Strategies
Those unaware of their ADHD typically develop maladaptive coping mechanisms that increase burnout risk.
They may force themselves to work longer hours or take on excessive workloads to compensate for their challenges, whereas diagnosed individuals can implement evidence-based ADHD management strategies and set realistic expectations for their capabilities.
Hidden Executive Function Struggles
Without understanding their executive function differences, undiagnosed individuals often lack the tools to effectively manage their limitations.
While diagnosed individuals can implement specific strategies for time management and organization, those without a diagnosis continue struggling with these skills without knowing why or how to improve, leading to chronic stress and overwhelm.
Unsustainable Masking
Undiagnosed individuals typically spend significant energy hiding their ADHD traits to appear “normal,” unaware that this masking dramatically increases burnout risk.
In contrast, those who know they have ADHD can choose when masking is necessary and when they can work in ways that align with their natural cognitive style.
Dr Floriana Reinikis, a Clinical Psychologist specializing in neurodivergence, and an ADHDer herself explains that people with ADHD “tend to find ways to mask them, compensate for them and therefore will take on more work, will accept to do more things…”
Delayed Support and Management
Without a diagnosis, individuals miss out on beneficial management options and accommodations that could prevent burnout.
These might include medication, therapy, workplace accommodations, or assistive technologies that diagnosed individuals can access to better manage their symptoms and energy levels.
What are the consequences of burnouts in undiagnosed ADHD?
Below are some of the possible consequences of burnouts in undiagnosed ADHDers:
Not addressing the issue
Without understanding ADHD as the root cause, healthcare providers may treat only the surface-level symptoms of burnout, such as depression or anxiety.
This incomplete treatment approach can result in temporary relief but fails to address the underlying ADHD, leading to recurring burnout cycles that become increasingly difficult to recover from.
“I’ve always had anxiety and have hit walls in the past and had to stop, rest and recover. It has only been recently that I have understood that all of the symptoms of overload that I was experiencing were produced by ADHD.”
“Kalynn”
Career instability
Undiagnosed individuals often develop a pattern of frequent job changes or career shifts, believing each new position will solve their struggles.
This creates a fragmented work history that can limit future opportunities, whereas diagnosed individuals might instead seek accommodations within their chosen field.
Low self-esteem
Years of unexplained difficulties can lead to a deeply ingrained negative self-image that persists even after an eventual diagnosis.
This internalized sense of failure often requires extensive therapeutic intervention to address, unlike those diagnosed earlier who can develop a more balanced self-understanding.
“Often when I work with people, they have struggled with these things (burnout) throughout their life. And as a result of that had very negative feedback…people can internalize this criticism and it becomes self-criticism.”
Dr. Reinikis
Weakened relationships
The recurring pattern of unreliability and emotional withdrawal during burnout periods can gradually erode personal and professional relationships.
While diagnosed individuals might be able to explain their challenges and maintain support networks, undiagnosed individuals often face progressive social isolation as others misinterpret their struggles.
What should I do if I suspect I am having ADHD burnout?
If you suspect you are experiencing ADHD burnout but are undiagnosed, Dr. Floriana Reinikis offers valuable advice:
Self-Awareness is Key
Dr. Reinikis suggests asking yourself, “What is different?” and “Is there an intensification of my usual challenges?“
Consider whether your attention, focus, memory, organization, hyperfocus, emotional regulation, and feelings, are more or less the way they have always been.
If there is an intensification of these traits or changes in your typical patterns, this could mean it is ADHD burnout.
Look for changes in your daily activities. Some examples of these can include:
At Home:
- Finding basic household tasks overwhelming – even loading the dishwasher feels impossibly complex
- Spending hours scrolling on your phone despite having important tasks to complete
- Being unable to follow your usual morning routine, leading to frequently being late
At Work:
- Reading the same email multiple times but still not processing its content
- Finding it impossible to start tasks you normally handle well
- Making unusual mistakes in familiar processes
In Social Life:
- Canceling plans last minute because social interaction feels too overwhelming
- Finding it harder to follow conversations or remember what others just said
- Feeling physically exhausted after social interactions that normally energize you
Physical and Emotional Signs:
- Feeling physically exhausted despite getting enough sleep
- Experiencing more intense emotional reactions to minor setbacks
- Feeling physically restless but mentally frozen
Recognize the Burnout Cycle
Dr. Reinikis expresses that many individuals with ADHD and ADHD tendencies “have at least at some point in our lives found ourselves going through this ADHD burnout cycle…”.
Be aware that, for some, this cycle can be continuous, with short breaks before going right back into burnout again.
Recognizing there is a cycle can be useful for knowing when to put things in place to prevent a full burnout from happening.
Consider an ADHD Diagnosis
If your self-reflection reveals significant changes, consider that you might have ADHD.
Dr. Reinikis emphasizes that a diagnosis isn’t just about labels, but about gaining an understanding of yourself, ending self-critical thinking, and discovering effective strategies. She says:
“I think a diagnosis can be helpful in many ways… having a diagnosis will mean hopefully that you feel comfortable to discuss this with your manager or your employer.”
It is acknowledged that a diagnosis is not accessible to everyone so even just being aware that you may have ADHD can be enough to manage your burnouts.
Seek Workplace Adjustments and Know your Limits
If work is a stressor, consider discussing adjustments with your manager.
As Dr. Reinikis notes, “A flexible environment would increase productivity, would increase loyalty, would increase the sense of ‘I like my job’.”
Try to be aware of your limits and avoid overcommitting, saying no to protect your energy. Consider looking into other self-help methods for reducing and recovering from ADHD burnout.
References
Tenev, V. (2024). Undiagnosed ADHD and Burnout Syndrome–is Untreated ADHD A Risk Factor for Burnout Syndrome. Inf J Neuropsy Beh Sci, 5(1), 1-2. https://skeenapublishers.com/journal/ijnbs/IJNBS-05-00050.pdf
