Many people associate ADHD with hyperactive kids, but as David Hite, a seasoned therapist and ADHD specialist, points out, it often persists into adulthood—and frequently goes undiagnosed. Hite, who discovered his own ADHD later in life, shares insights from his practice and research, highlighting how adult ADHD manifests differently and why it’s commonly overlooked.
In adults, ADHD doesn’t always look like fidgeting or distraction; it can appear as chronic inconsistency, emotional dysregulation, or difficulty maintaining routines. Hite explains that without proper dopamine regulation, the brain defaults to fight-or-flight mode, making everyday tasks feel overwhelming. “I hit a point where I wondered if I was selling snake oil,” Hite recalls, describing how traditional therapy tools failed him until medication allowed his executive functions to kick in. Symptoms might include procrastination, impulsivity in relationships, or excelling in high-stakes situations but crumbling under mundane ones.
Why is it missed? Adults often develop coping mechanisms or mask symptoms, leading others (and themselves) to attribute issues to personality quirks or stress. Hite notes that his clinical supervisor spotted it first, and even his doctor agreed instantly—yet he had gone years without realizing. Research supports this: ADHD in adults is underdiagnosed because it doesn’t fit the “hyper kid” stereotype, and societal expectations push people to “power through.”
If this resonates, Hite recommends screening and a multimodal approach: medication (effective in 80% of cases per meta-analyses) plus skill-building. Sites like ADHDandAdults.com offer free resources. Early recognition can prevent burnout—ADHD isn’t a phase; it’s a lifelong neurodivergence that thrives with the right support.
