Dr. Shirley Hershko explains: ADHD accompanies us throughout life

published in the "Jerusalem Post" The best shopping recommendations for religious Israelis.

published on april 13 2026 in the "Jerusalem Post"

Late diagnosis: ADHD is not only for children – and it does not disappear in adulthood

Dr. Shirley Hershko, a senior expert in ADHD, diagnostician, researcher, and lecturer, emphasizes that the perception that this is only a childhood disorder is far from reality.

According to her, ADHD is a congenital neurological condition that accompanies a person throughout their entire life – and sometimes even intensifies in adulthood.

According to data presented by Hershko, about 5%–10% of the population deals with ADHD, many of whom are not diagnosed.

In these cases, significant consequences may arise, such as damage to self-esteem, difficulties in relationships, and an increased risk of depression and anxiety.

The difficulty becomes more pronounced with the transition to independent life, which includes the pressures of career, relationships, and parenting.

Hershko further emphasizes that this is not laziness or lack of ability, but rather a difficulty in attention regulation stemming from neurological differences.

According to her, many of those diagnosed were able to compensate for the difficulty over the years, but at the cost of ongoing effort and burnout.

Regarding coping, Hershko notes that professional diagnosis is the first and most critical step.

After that, treatment can be tailored, including medication at a personalized dosage, along with emotional support and cognitive-behavioral coaching that provides tools for time management, organization, and emotional regulation.

This combination, she says, enables a significant improvement in quality of life and sense of control.

Hershko heads an institute for the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD for children and adults, where professional assessment and personalized treatment processes are available.

According to her, a correct diagnosis is not a luxury but a vital necessity, and even at a later stage, meaningful change can be achieved and daily coping can be eased.

Many adults only discover at this stage that the challenges they experienced over the years – including procrastination, difficulty managing time, forgetfulness, and emotional overload – are related to undiagnosed ADHD.

For more details and to schedule an assessment