is it possible to have adhd AND be super perfectionistic?
i always thought i couldn’t have adhd because i’m a perfectionist, but now i’m seeing it might be a thing.
how do you explain the mix of high standards + low follow-through?
2026-02-12 11:43305 views
1 Comments

Tasmiah Rahman
NP
Absolutely. Perfectionism is often a coping strategy. Many people with ADHD develop high standards to counteract past mistakes, criticism, or fear of falling behind.
Perfectionism can mask ADHD because work gets done, but at a high emotional cost. There may be over preparation, difficulty delegating, or paralysis when something cannot be done perfectly.
Underneath, executive dysfunction may still be present. The perfectionism is sometimes compensating for it.
Clinically, we look at the effort required to maintain that standard. If it feels exhausting, rigid, or anxiety driven, ADHD can absolutely coexist with it.
*Disclaimer: Responses provided by Providers in this Community do not constitute medical advice. No physician–patient relationship is created through these responses. For personal medical decisions, a formal clinical consultation is required.
2026-02-24 12:31 215 views
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