How Do I Know If I Have ADHD or If I’m Just Burned Out?

If you’ve found yourself asking this question, you’re not alone. Being an adult with undiagnosed ADHD, feeling profoundly burnt out, or some unknown combination of the both, seems to be on the rise everywhere. At the Nashville Center for Trauma and Psychotherapy, we hear it often—especially from folks navigating high expectations, busy lives, social complexities, and the emotional weight of always trying to “hold it all together” while managing everything else like laundry and life admin tasks.

You might be thinking:

“Why can’t I just get things done?”
“I used to be on top of everything… what changed?”
“I feel like I’m constantly behind, no matter how hard I try.”
“I am really not happy, what’s wrong?”

Whether you're living with undiagnosed ADHD, experiencing burnout, or dealing with both (which is often the case), the truth is: your brain is trying to communicate that something isn’t working—and it deserves a response.

ADHD and Burnout Can Look Really Similar

Both ADHD and Burnout can show up as:

Trouble focusing or following through
Forgetting things easily
Avoiding tasks, even ones you care about
Feeling emotionally drained or overwhelmed
Struggling with motivation and time management
Feeling drained by social interactions and unsure how to navigate this
Attempting to ‘over-function’ in efforts to salvage what's left

No wonder it’s confusing, right?

But there are some subtle differences that therapy can help you untangle. And working with an experienced therapist is the perfect space to tease this stuff out.

What Might Point to ADHD?

You might be dealing with ADHD (even if no one caught it growing up) if you:

Have a lifelong pattern of being “scatterbrained,” disorganized, or daydreamy
Often hyperfocus on things you love, but struggle to start or finish tasks that don’t interest you
Struggle with impulsivity—emotionally, socially, or financially
Experience “time blindness” and lose track of hours
Feel deeply impacted by criticism or rejection (rejection sensitivity)
Are constantly either overstimulated or understimulated

ADHD isn’t just about distraction or a lack of focus and attention—it’s a nervous system difference that affects how you process time, energy, and emotion. Many of our clients come to ADHD therapy in Nashville after years of thinking they were just “bad at adulting” or “lazy,” when really, their brain just works differently. Growing in a deeper understanding of the self, your system, and what empowers you to live a peaceful and fulfilling life is a vital part of therapy for folks with ADHD.

What Might Point to Burnout?

You might be burned out if you:

Used to function pretty well, but now feel emotionally flat, disconnected, or distracted
Have pushed yourself through intense work, caregiving, or stress without enough rest
Feel cynical or hopeless about things you used to enjoy
Struggle with physical exhaustion, sleep disruption, or a general sense of “shutting down”
Feel like your brain is foggy or numb, even when you’re trying to care
Fantasizing about a different life / job / relationship though nothing has drastically changed in your current situation

Burnout can happen to anyone—and maybe everyone at some point, but it often hits harder for folks with ADHD, especially if you’ve been masking your symptoms or forcing yourself to meet neurotypical ‘standards’ your whole life. Burnout is also a complex topic deserving your attention with the help of your therapist. To find enriching supports that really work for you, and the freedom and encouragement to adapt and evolve, are just a few key takeaways for therapy around your burnout.

Sometimes It’s Not Either/Or… It’s Can Be Both

For many clients we work with, it’s not about choosing between “Is it ADHD or burnout?”—it’s about understanding how they interact. Learning about your unique self in a way that empowers your choices and opens the door to fulfillment.

If you have undiagnosed or unsupported ADHD, you’re more likely to live in a near-constant state of stress—trying to keep up with expectations that don’t match how your brain works. Over time, that chronic mismatch can lead to deep emotional fatigue, self-doubt, and eventually, burnout. So the two can be easily tied in that unsupported ADHD can lead to serious burnout.

You Deserve Support That Makes Sense for Your Brain

At NCTP, our approach to ADHD therapy in Nashville starts with this belief: You are not broken. You are not stupid or dumb or a failure. You’re just burned out from working in overdrive without the right support. You can find a healthy balance and truly thrive just as you are. Therapy can help you:

Understand how ADHD, trauma, and burnout affect your nervous system
Learn practical, ADHD-friendly strategies that actually work for you
Build self-compassion instead of self-criticism
Create space to rest, reset, and rewire
Get excited about being you
Own your natural strengths and lean into joy

As an LCSW with extensive experience in serving clients with ADHD, it has been my privilege to help unlock this for my clients. That sense of freedom and peace and empowered living we’re all striving for. To go from a place of shame to a place of joy and internal peace, all while managing the incredible power of the ADHD system, is a real treat to witness. It's a slow process, but one that really blooms if you can find the right therapist early on and stick with it. All the while, you get to make peace with your past and the ghosts that haunt your internal thought world. - Robert Bond

Curious whether what you’re feeling is ADHD, burnout, or both?
You don’t have to figure it out alone. Reach out for a consultation and we’ll help you find a path forward that honors your unique brain, energy, and needs. Here’s the email address: info@nashvilletherapy.co

Also, consider a few of our clinicians with experience in this area like Brooke, Chelsi, or Heather.