Gain clarity on whether your struggles stem from ADHD or laziness, helping you reduce guilt and self-blame. You'll discover practical strategies to manage procrastination, boost productivity, and feel more in control, improving both your mental health and relationships.
In this article:
Understand what might be stopping you from completing your to-do list once and for all.
Learn the key differences between laziness and ADHD in adulthood
Recognize the common symptoms of ADHD in adult women
Discover strategies for managing procrastination, whether it’s ADHD or not!
Find out how an ADHD diagnosis can improve your quality of life.
ADHD vs. Laziness
Just by clicking this article the odds are already against you being “just lazy.”
After all, if you were simply lazy, you wouldn’t be here, searching for answers and solutions for what feels like a constant struggle- would you?
Why keep reading? Because if your dismissing your struggles as laziness it leads to more guilt and self-blame when there could be an underlying issue, like ADHD, that can improve with proper treatment!
Do you constantly feel guilty or anxious about the things you didn’t get done, even though you wanted to finish them? That’s one of the big differences between ADHD and "ordinary" laziness. When someone is lazy, they typically don’t put in the effort to get tasks done—and they don’t feel much guilt or anxiety about it, either.
Laziness is really about being unwilling to do the work. But if you have ADHD, it’s not that you’re unwilling. Sure, we all have lazy days sometimes, but when you genuinely want to get something done—like meeting a deadline or being on time—you often feel overwhelmed by anxiety or shut down by paralysis. You try to focus, put in the effort, and yet, it can feel like you’re still stuck, unable to move forward.
If this sounds like you, there’s likely more going on than just being unmotivated. Without recognizing this, you might miss the chance to find support that truly helps.
“Why is it so hard for me to follow through when I care so much about getting it done?”
People with ADHD care deeply about their responsibilities and often put in way more effort than it seems, but still end up feeling frustrated when the task isn’t complete or doesn’t go as planned. It’s not a lack of care—it’s a struggle to manage focus and follow through, even when it matters to you the most.
Keep reading because understanding this difference can change how you approach your challenges—and ultimately, help you reduce frustration and guilt. Understanding that effort is still being made (even if results aren’t visible) can help you stop blaming yourself and start seeking more helpful ways to manage tasks.
TLDR:
Laziness: is when there’s little to no effort or concern about whether a task gets done or not. | ADHD: involves putting in effort and caring about the task, but still struggling to complete it. |
Okay, but how do I know if it’s ADHD or something else?
Great question! If you’ve been struggling to complete tasks, feeling stuck, or wondering why it’s so hard to get things done, you might be asking yourself, "Is this ADHD, or could it be something else?"
Ask your self?
1. Are you dealing with an untreated mental or physical health condition?
ADHD, depression, anxiety—these are just a few examples of underlying conditions that can make everyday tasks feel impossible. You might be thinking, "But I don’t feel depressed, so why can’t I just get it together?" Sometimes these conditions show up in ways we don’t expect. For example, anxiety might leave you feeling overwhelmed by tasks, or depression might drain your energy to the point where even simple things feel like mountains.
2. Are your basic needs being met?
It sounds simple, but ask yourself: "Am I tired? Am I hungry? Am I burned out?" You’d be surprised how much harder everything becomes when we aren’t meeting our basic needs. You might be thinking, "I’ll push through this and take care of myself later," but the truth is, we can’t focus or stay motivated if we’re running on empty.
3. Do you have limiting beliefs or struggle with perfectionism?
Do you ever find yourself thinking, “I’m not good enough to do this,” or “I’ll never get it perfect, so why bother?” If so, that could be a major block. Perfectionism can be paralyzing, leaving you stuck in a cycle of overthinking or avoiding tasks altogether because you’re afraid they won’t meet impossibly high standards.
Why does this matter? Because if you don’t realize how perfectionism is holding you back, you could be unintentionally setting yourself up for frustration and failure. Many people seek counseling for this very reason—perfectionism can keep you stuck in a cycle of high expectations and self-criticism.
4. Are you simply uninterested in the task?
Let’s be honest, sometimes the task itself isn’t exciting or interesting, but you know it still needs to get done. You might be wondering, "Why can’t I just force myself to do it?" When it comes to ADHD, tasks that don’t feel stimulating can be especially hard to tackle. It’s not about being lazy; it’s about your brain needing more motivation than most people to push through something boring.
Did you know? Learning about and understanding ADHD is one of the most powerful tools you can have to manage its symptoms. When you know how your brain works, you can start using strategies that actually help you tackle those less-than-exciting tasks and feel more in control of your day.
5. Is the task too vague or lacking structure?
Do you ever look at your to-do list and think, "Where do I even start?" Sometimes, tasks are too big or too broad, making them feel overwhelming before you even begin. If you don’t know the next steps or don’t have a clear plan, your brain might shut down. You might need a little extra support or structure to get going, and that’s okay!
Why does this matter? Without clear plans, you’ll keep feeling stuck. Understanding how to create more structured tasks can make a huge difference in how you tackle your day.
You might be wondering, “Is this just how life is supposed to feel, or could it be ADHD?”
Many women go years without realizing they have ADHD because the symptoms can be subtle or easily explained away. If any of the following sound familiar, you’re not alone—it could be more than just everyday struggles. Identifying these symptoms could be the key to finding relief from the constant overwhelm and stress. By breaking down the difference between ADHD and laziness, and finding the real reason behind your struggles, you’re taking the first step toward solutions that can change your life for the better.
Jump to the article "Is this just how life is supposed to feel, or could it be ADHD?" and learn about the common symptoms of untreated ADHD in adults.
CLICK HERE to book a free Chat and Connect Call to discuss the benefits of getting an ADHD assessment at any age.
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Read Our Other Blog Posts: "Is It Too Late for an ADHD Diagnosis? 5 Powerful Reasons to Consider It at Any Age" – Discover the real impact of untreated ADHD on your life and relationships, recognize common symptoms in adult women, and learn how a diagnosis can improve your quality of life.
Candice Mann is a Registered Master Social Worker and Certified ADHD Counselor with over 20 years of experience in the field. As the Founder and Therapist at Adrift Counselling, she specializes in adult ADHD and brings personal insight as a late-diagnosed ADHD adult. Her professional background includes a decade of neuro-rehabilitation work for acquired brain injury at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Stroke Unit. Candice is also a certified Capacity Assessor. Her lived experience and extensive expertise uniquely position her to help clients navigate and thrive with ADHD.
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