Many successful people with ADHD are burning out. Career burnout with ADHD doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t come from underperforming. In fact, it often comes from overcompensating, trying to mask your every move with things like overthinking or avoiding risk. Like you, many adults with ADHD realize that staying stuck in cycles of burnout is not sustainable. Let’s explore some ways out.
The Link Between ADHD and Career Burnout
The Overcompensation Trap
Do you ever feel like doing more is the key to success? Or do you feel like you need to do more because you made a mistake earlier? Thoughts like these are common in adults with ADHD. The reason that pops up is that many adults with ADHD are chronic overworkers, perfectionists, and high achievers.
Fear, not a sustainable time management strategy, often fuels energy like this.
When ADHD Masking is a Full-time job
Does it ever feel draining trying to hide ADHD from others? You know, checking every email for typos, trying not to interrupt others, or rehearsing conversations repeatedly. While we all want to show up as our best selves at work, adults with ADHD sometimes spend more energy than they have to give trying to hide.
Masking rarely prevents burnout — it speeds it up.
The Dopamine Career Cycle
Does getting bored or burnt out at work prompt you to job-hop? There may be a reason. Adults with ADHD get pulled in different directions. Many, many directions. Sometimes, boredom leads us to seek something new and shiny. On the other hand, overcommitting and overextending can lead to burnout and depression, motivating another shift.
Build a Career That Fits Your Brain
The Career You “should want”
A common problem with adult ADHD is finding careers out of shame. For example, an artist looking to work as an accountant. This works if the artist loves accounting, but sometimes the artist makes this move to “fit” somewhere in the world rather than finding a career that plays to their strengths and passions.
Boundaries Are Burnout Prevention
It may feel counterintuitive, but pause for a moment and consider how often you say no at work. If you’re like many adults with ADHD, the answer is probably rarely. Sensitivity to rejection can make it difficult to decline requests, leading to chronic overcommitment. Untangling a career from burnout is nearly impossible when you’ve built it on saying yes to too much.
Learn Your Burnout Warning Signs
Everyone shows signs of burnout, sort of like “poker tells.” It might look like decision fatigue, procrastination, feeling numb, or being checked out. The point is, you have signs too. Being aware of the signs can prompt early intervention. Do you need time to rest? Say no more? Over-commit less? There are many possibilities, but knowing the signs first helps.
Redefine Success
Many adults with ADHD attempt to prove their worth at work. They find they never feel good enough. Instead, a sustainable career comes from work defined by autonomy, energy, and authenticity. Finding these qualities at work and in your career helps ensure that work fills your life rather than consumes it.
Begin Adult ADHD Treatment in Columbus, Ohio
Looking for more individualized support? You don’t have to live a life feeling burnt out. ADHD-focused therapy can help you find a career path or a way to manage your current situation that works better for your brain. Our counseling practice in Columbus, Ohio, has caring therapists who specialize in ADHD testing and treatment. To start your counseling journey with Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, follow these simple steps:
- Fill out the contact form to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.
- Meet with one of our caring therapists.
- Stop feeling burnt out. Start feeling energized.
Other ADHD Services Offered at Focused Mind ADHD Counseling
Adult ADHD treatment is not the only service we offer at our Columbus, OH counseling practice. At Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, we offer a variety of mental health services, including ADHD testing. As an adult with ADHD, you may also benefit from ADHD testing, anxiety treatment for ADHD, counseling for men with ADHD, counseling for women with ADHD, couples therapy for ADHD, or depression counseling for ADHD. You can also view our blog for more resources and helpful info.
About the Author
Billy Roberts, LISW-S, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist and ADHD expert in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in ADD/ADHD in adults. He has been seen in TimeMagazine, CNN, HuffPost, and Forbes discussing his unique approach to ADHD-focused therapy. See Full Bio.
