Josh May, LCSW
Mar 20, 2026
ADHD looks different in teens and adults. Here's how to recognize it — and what support actually helps.
ADHD gets talked about a lot — but it's often misunderstood. It's not just about being hyper or having a short attention span. For many teens and adults, ADHD shows up as chronic disorganization, emotional dysregulation, difficulty following through on tasks, and a deep sense of frustration at not being able to do things that seem easy for everyone else.
If your teen is struggling in school despite trying hard, or if you find yourself constantly overwhelmed by tasks that should be manageable, ADHD might be worth exploring.
What ADHD Can Look Like in Teens
In teens, ADHD often shows up as difficulty completing homework despite genuine effort, losing things constantly, acting impulsively in social situations, emotional outbursts that seem out of proportion, and trouble transitioning between tasks. It can be mistaken for laziness, defiance, or anxiety — but the root cause is different, and so is the treatment.
What ADHD Can Look Like in Adults
Adults with ADHD often describe feeling like they're always behind, no matter how hard they work. Time blindness — losing track of time and missing deadlines even with good intentions — is common. So is hyperfocus on things you love, paired with an inability to engage with things you find boring. Many adults weren't diagnosed as kids and have spent years thinking something was fundamentally wrong with them.
How Counseling Helps
Therapy for ADHD focuses on building practical skills — routines, emotional regulation strategies, ways to break tasks into manageable pieces, and tools to manage impulsivity. It also addresses the shame and self-criticism that often build up over years of struggling. At JPB Counseling, Josh May works with teens (12+) and adults navigating ADHD, trauma, and impulse control in a grounded, practical way.
If you're in Kernersville, Winston-Salem, or anywhere in the Piedmont Triad and you're wondering whether ADHD counseling might help you or your teen, we're here to talk.