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Yes. Push through. Focus on your strengths and less on how you will measure up against others. Pick up skills in areas you struggle. For me it was overwhelming anxiety whenever I had a presentation in front of my peers. I began taking baby steps by enrolling in some public speaking seminars. It’s helped me regain my confidence along with taking meds. I’m also transparent with my team about my diagnosis and my anxiety associated with public speaking. It humanizes me. We’re all doing are best. Tbh I feel like my ADHD is my superpower. Because I have lived my own personal struggles in areas that to others would look like disorganization I am able to walk into any situation that is challenging and understand the pain points and come up with solutions on the spot. Most times changing our perspective solves most things. You’ve got this and you definitely belong!
Sometimes it’s not about smarts. It’s about your ability to adapt. As we as ADHDers have tons of experiences adapting to different things because we’ve been doing it our whole lives regardless of when we were diagnosed. The world isn’t built for us so we adapt to make it work for us. If medication is what you need to adapt yourself to the world then that’s fine. If schedules and structure work for you then that’s also fine. If you use both guess what? It’s fine! No imposters here it’s you finding ways to make the world work for you. I saw this commencement speech on imposter syndrome and it really made me think differently about the term. https://youtu.be/BoHDDgeQtlc?si=cpNyi9ClRXq0r4tZ
Rising Star
1) Mirror work - I do a daily mantra that helps me. Look in the mirror while you do this for maximum effect, look in your own eyes.
I stand with myself.
I protect myself
I provide for myself
I nourish and nurture myself.
I love myself
I respect myself.
I speak up for myself
I stand up for myself
I ground myself
I trust myself
I believe in myself
I create my own reality
2) Meditation - Focus on: " I am powerful and I create my own reality" - visualize the reality you want to create
3) Play songs while you sleep - (highly recommend "I Am" by Baby Tate)
I love this! ❤️
First of all congratulations on reaching a senior position. It’s totally normal to feel that way (at least I do every once in a while), especially with ADHD. But needing meds doesn’t make your success any less real. It just a tool that helps even the playing field. It’s like wearing glasses for your brain.
I worked in consulting for a few years after undergrad and I would remind myself that everyone, ADHD or not, uses tools to succeed—whether that’s caffeine, technology, or advice from mentors.
You thriving even w ADHD in a super structured and linear thinking environment shows adaptability. Honestly, you’re probably more aware of your own flaws than most neurotypical people. That self-awareness and effort you put in are strengths.
Lastly, try reframing your thoughts - chat gpt helps me a lot 😂
Thank you for this response. I’m not the OP but I also just reached senior and have ADHD. Even though I felt ready initially, I’m now starting to have feelings of imposter syndrome. I’m experiencing a lot of anxiety, especially with leading meetings and having more of a client facing role. I love the statement you made that medication is like wearing glasses for your brain! I’ve never heard that before.
I repeat this often in this forum, would you judge someone who had to take insulin as weak or unworthy of success? Of course not.
You have a defined medical disorder, there is a spectrum in how it impacts daily life, from both severity of condition as well as life circumstances. Some of us can do well without medication; some of us would die.
I often suffer from imposter syndrome, I don’t like taking medication, but, I am 💯 worthy of taking care of myself in the best way I can right now. That includes medication and that is ok 👍
Love this comparison!
Thank you posting this! I ha e been adhd my entire life...and have the feelings of "not smart enough", etc. For that..I have simply had to tell myself I would not be where I am at if others saw me this way. I may have to keep repeating this over and over...but it has helped. As far as meds....I am actually now considering to take something.....I shouldn't say this, but my daughter is adhd and I took one of her pills...and I could tell immediately how it helped me focus more. Now I am in the process of working to get this.....as I feel it only helps.
Thank you sharing this and all the feedback on this question. I struggle with this on the daily. It’s not just with the workplace, it’s also anything that requires any sort of responsibility, discipline or dedication on my part. The inner dialogue is horrible when this comes up.
I can totally relate! I’ve found that shifting my perspective helps—ADHD can actually be a superpower. When I get stuck in a negative mindset, I remind myself that my brain just works fast, and the meds help me focus and manage that speed. It's not about needing them to be as good as others, but about using them to channel my strengths, like creativity and problem-solving, without overwhelming myself or the team!
I’m medicated, have been for a few years. I want you to know that even when you’re medicated, adhd is still very challenging. I am a manager and I am constantly overthinking and doubting myself. I question whether I know what I am talking about even though I’m pretty smart and have sound technical skills. I would recommend working on your confidence and trusting yourself. You have to make it a point to speak to yourself until you believe it, easier said than done but it’s true. A lot of people don’t have any idea what is going on, they just appear more confident. You ARE exactly where you need to be, you ARE smart enough.
Seeing this made me feel so validated. Thank you for sharing. It is so easy to forget how far one has come
Yes.
You’re smart enough to be here and above all you’re gritty enough and doubly hardworking. Honestly “smarts” are not all they are cracked up to be - and you absolutely have the other, more necessary skills to be in a senior position.
Keep going! Congrats on being at such a huge company. They saw something in you that you don’t see in yourself. I remind myself of that everyday! I passed 9 rounds of interviews PLUS 2 with a recruiter for the role I have and I’m damn proud.
Thank you for sharing and for being brave enough to speak your truth.
I was recently diagnosed with ADHD. It has been challenging but my doctors have helped me manage the anxiety. There is a good account on Instagram that practices the same techniques my doctor has given me. Please feel free to DM me and I’ll share with you.
Be proud of you and who you are. Continue to be authentic and know you aren’t alone.
Thank you for sharing.
Yes.
The thing with imposter syndrome is that generally only highly skilled knowledge people experiences its. Also Dunning Kruger which shows that individuals that lack knowledge over estimate their abilities and those that are highly knowledgeable under estimate their abilities. So by virtue of experiencing these things you are reinforcing that you are where you are supposed to be and you have the skills and experience to be there.
TLDR you know enough to understand that there is a body of knowledge that is still in front of you, which diminishes your confidence.
Morons that dont deserve to be where they are have no idea and think they are the best ever!
You got this! Good luck.