ADHD Experts Podcast 593- Stop People Pleasing! Halting the Cycle of ADHD Self-Doubt, Perfectionism and Procrastination
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Feb 3, 2026 Alan P. Brown, ADHD coach and author of ADD Crusher and Zen and the Art of Productivity, describes how ADHD fuels self-doubt, perfectionism, and chronic procrastination. He outlines why negative self-stories form, shares handwriting-based writing exercises to reauthor those stories, and offers practical cues and scheduling tips to make new habits stick.
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ADHD Creates A Double Whammy For Self-Esteem
- Adults with ADHD often carry deep self-doubt formed by repeated negative feedback across childhood and adulthood.
- This low self-esteem drives perfectionism, people-pleasing, procrastination, and poor boundaries.
Genes Plus Environment Amplify Low Self-Esteem
- Self-esteem is partly heritable and influenced by family, peers, and life events.
- For people with ADHD, genetic risk plus more frequent negative events magnifies low self-esteem.
Cognitive Distortions Run Hotter In ADHD
- ADHD brains are prone to stronger cognitive distortions like negativity bias and black-and-white thinking.
- These distortions make negative feedback loom larger and fuel anxiety and avoidance.
