Change Your Brain Every Day Why ADHD Hits Harder in Adulthood—and What to Do About It
Aug 11, 2025
Dr. Steven Storage, a psychiatrist from Amen Clinics, dives into the often-overlooked realities of ADHD in adults. He reveals how symptoms can emerge later in life, especially under stress or after head injuries. The conversation touches on the genetic aspects of ADHD and debunks the myth that family history guarantees struggles. Dr. Storage also shares insights on the impact of screen time on dopamine levels and offers practical strategies for managing technology use, promoting healthier habits for individuals and families.
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Supply–Demand Model Explains Late-Onset ADHD
- ADHD can be present from birth but stay hidden until life demands exceed prefrontal blood flow.
- When responsibilities rise, previously compensated brains may begin showing clear ADHD symptoms.
College Reveals Hidden ADHD
- Dr. Storage recalls Stanford residents seeing undergraduates who coasted in high school but struggled in college.
- These students had ADHD all along but symptoms surfaced when campus demands exceeded their cognitive supply.
Common Conditions Can Reveal ADHD
- Factors that reduce prefrontal blood flow can unmask or worsen ADHD symptoms.
- Depression and head injuries commonly lower prefrontal activity and reveal attention problems.