Does ADHD ever look like low confidence more than distractibility?

Absolutely. Many adults with ADHD present more with chronic self doubt than obvious hyperactivity. Years of missed deadlines, criticism, or feeling different can erode confidence deeply. Freezing at tasks can look like lack of ability, but often it is executive dysfunction mixed with fear of messing up. That repeated cycle builds internal narratives of inadequacy. When we treat the ADHD, confidence often improves because follow through improves. What looks like low self esteem is sometimes untreated neurobiology plus lived experience.