Is it ADHD or burnout?
Educational only: This page is for general education—not personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. See a licensed clinician for your situation.
Short answer
Burnout is usually tied to prolonged stress and improves with rest, boundaries, or job changes. ADHD is lifelong neurodevelopmental difficulty with attention and executive function that persists across settings. They can overlap—many undiagnosed adults burn out from compensating for ADHD.
Detailed answer
If focus problems started only after a stressful quarter, burnout or depression may be primary. If you have decades of similar struggles, ADHD deserves evaluation.
Evidence & references
- WHO burnout occupational context
- Adult ADHD longitudinal presentation literature
Also read our ADHD articles · Dr. Natasha Desai, MD