The Resiliency of Me: Battling Imposter Syndrome with ADHD

For most of my corporate journey, I wore an invisible mask—a facade of confidence and competence that hid a torrent of fears and insecurities brewing within. Living with undiagnosed ADHD, I navigated each day in a chronic state of hyper vigilance, fearing missteps, rejection, or worse, revealing my true self. I excelled outwardly, yet inwardly, I was drowning in the incessant fear of not being enough.

Imposter syndrome became my constant companion—an insidious force driving catastrophic thoughts, infecting my executive functioning, especially emotion regulation. Feedback, criticism, or diverse perspectives triggered an immediate response—fight, flight, or freeze. This hypervigilance fractured relationships, impaired my reputation, and kept me shackled in a relentless pursuit of an elusive perfection.

It wasn't until I received an ADHD diagnosis that I glimpsed the root of my lifelong turmoil. Understanding this condition unearthed the hidden layers of fear and anxiety, allowing me to unmask, slow down, and embrace self-acceptance. This newfound knowledge became a catalyst for change, a revelation that went beyond personal introspection.

As I embarked on a quest to support my neurodivergent child, diving into late diagnoses in women with ADHD, I stumbled upon the term "pathological demand avoidance" (PDA)—a profile shared by both my son and me. This revelation wasn't just about our shared experiences; it was a key to unlocking a new way of living and working.

Knowledge is empowering. Learning about PDA has been a transformative journey, altering the fabric of my professional life. Armed with insights, education, and guidance from a skilled psychologist, I've begun to recalibrate how I navigate the corporate landscape.

Understanding the PDA profile has become a pivotal tool—a compass guiding my interactions, decision-making, and prioritization. It's reshaping not only my day-to-day routine but also my leadership approach. Embracing the strengths within my team, I've learned to leverage our collective capabilities to regulate our collective minds and bodies proactively.

My journey isn't just about self-discovery; it's about paving a path forward—a clarion call to workplaces to foster inclusivity and accommodate diverse neurotypes. It's about encouraging women to seek understanding and embrace their unique wiring, to challenge the norm, and transform perceived weaknesses into superpowers.

Imposter syndrome often lurks in the shadows of neurodiversity, but unveiling it leads to self-awareness, acceptance, and empowerment. My hope is for a workplace that embraces differences, fostering environments where diverse minds thrive—a workplace where being neurodivergent is not a hindrance but a catalyst for innovation.

#ADHDinWomen #ImposterSyndrome #NeurodiversityAtWork

The views and opinions expressed in this article are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of friends, colleagues, organizations, and corporations I am associated with.