Why do I default to overworking instead of addressing ADHD?

Yes, overworking is a very common way men with ADHD cope, especially if they grew up believing effort was the only acceptable fix for their symptoms and struggles, or an inevitable outcome of them. For a lot of men, working longer hours became the safest way to stay afloat when they struggled with their ADHD symptoms. If focus was inconsistent or tasks took longer, the solution wasn’t support or flexibility — it was just to spend more time and apply more effort. That strategy often works well enough for people to avoid criticism, so it ends up getting reinforced, even though it can certainly be exhausting for you long-term. There’s also a cultural piece. Many men were taught that changing how you work, asking for accommodations, or naming limits looks like weakness. Overworking, on the other hand, looks responsible and disciplined, even when it’s masking a real regulation issue. So the brain defaults to what feels socially acceptable, not what’s sustainable. Clinicians often notice that overworking delays recognition of ADHD. Because things technically get done, the cost stays hidden until burnout hits. By then, people are exhausted, resentful, or disconnected, but still telling themselves they should just try and work harder. Which obviously is only sustainable to a degree. Eventually that approach catches up to you. The tricky part is that overworking can feel productive in the short term. It creates urgency, pressure, and structure — all things ADHD brains respond to. But it’s a fragile system. It relies on adrenaline and self-sacrifice, not support or sustainability. If this resonates, it doesn’t mean you’re avoiding change. It usually means you found a way to survive in environments that didn’t adapt to you. Recognizing overworking as a coping strategy — not a character trait — is often the first step toward building ways of working that don’t require you to burn yourself out to function.