15 Signs You Probably Have ADHD 

Hey lovely, ever feel like your brain is running a million miles a minute and you just can’t keep up? Or maybe you’re constantly forgetting stuff and can’t stay focused no matter how hard you try? You’re not alone! ADHD can be tricky to spot, especially in us girls. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back.

Here are 15 signs that you might have ADHD. Let’s dive in and see if any of these sound familiar!

1. Daydreaming Constantly

Your mind wanders off in the middle of class or a conversation, and you find yourself in a completely different world. Like, one minute you’re supposed to be taking notes, and the next you’re imagining your dream vacation to Spain with that guy you saw for 15 seconds max at the mall...

2. Constant Fidgeting

You’re always tapping your feet, playing with your hair, or moving around because sitting still feels impossible. My friends would tease me about how I couldn’t sit through a movie without shifting a hundred times. Most of the time this also manifests itself as nail-biting, gnawing on your lip constantly touching your face or peeling wounds.

3. Difficulty Following Instructions

You struggle to complete tasks because following multi-step instructions feels overwhelming. I remember baking cookies and missing half the steps because I just couldn’t keep track of them all. Do I put the egg and then the flour or is it the other way around?

4. Struggling to Stay Organized

Your room, backpack, and notes are always a mess, no matter how hard you try to keep things tidy. I used to lose my homework in my own room, and finding anything in my backpack was like digging for treasure. If I got a coin every time I put my pen down for one second and it pulled a Houdini on me, I'd be rich enough to buy a mansion right now.

5. Forgetfulness

You often forget assignments, appointments, or where you put things—even if you just had them a minute ago. I’ve left my phone in the fridge more times than I’d like to admit. You don't have to feel guilty about it! It happens to the best of us.

6. Easily Bored

You lose interest in things quickly and find it hard to stick with hobbies or activities for long. I’d start a new project with enthusiasm but drop it a week later when something else caught my eye. You could easily jump from playing guitar to learning Spanish while amazingly not mastering either of those skills.

7. Easily Distracted

The tiniest sound or movement can pull your attention away from what you’re supposed to be doing. Ever tried studying and then noticed a squirrel outside, and suddenly 30 minutes have passed? Or started to clean your room before realizing you haven't given Kitty water, and then you realize your mom told you to get the laundry off the line and and and!

8. Impulsivity

You make decisions on a whim without thinking about the consequences, like buying something you don’t need or blurting out whatever’s on your mind. Sometimes, I’d say something in class and immediately regret it, wondering why I couldn’t just stay quiet.

9. Talking Nonstop

You can’t help but talk a lot and sometimes interrupt others because your thoughts just spill out. I’d often catch myself interrupting my friends, not because I was rude, but because I couldn’t hold back my excitement.

10. Hyperfocus on Interests

When you love something, you can get lost in it for hours, forgetting everything else around you. I once spent an entire afternoon drawing, completely forgetting I had homework due the next day. As much as time flies past when you're distracted, an hour turns to six when you're doing one silly activity. Nothing makes you angrier than being disturbed from one of these. Trust me, I know.

11. Procrastination

You put off tasks until the last minute and then panic when you realize you’re out of time. The number of times I’ve stayed up all night finishing a paper I had weeks to do is too high to count. While this is common in us ADHDians, it doesn't mean you get to use it as an excuse to not do things... like the plate you said you'll take to the kitchen 3 months ago.

12. Emotional Sensitivity

 Your emotions can be intense and change rapidly, from super happy to really upset in a short time. ADHD affects emotional regulation, making it hard to manage intense feelings. One minute I’d be laughing with my friends, and the next I’d feel overwhelmed by a wave of sadness. Studies show that girls with ADHD often experience higher levels of emotional dysregulation compared to boys.

13. Trouble Sleeping

Your brain doesn’t shut off at night, making it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. ADHD can cause restlessness and racing thoughts, which interfere with sleep patterns. I’d lie in bed replaying the day or worrying about tomorrow, unable to drift off. Research indicates that individuals with ADHD often have sleep disturbances, leading to fatigue and difficulty concentrating during the day. Maybe that's why we're always so tired.

14. Difficulty Listening

You find it hard to pay attention when someone’s talking to you, and you often zone out. This isn't about being rude; it's a common ADHD symptom where your brain struggles to filter out distractions and focus on the conversation. During group conversations, I’d zone out and then realize I missed half of what was said. Studies show that people with ADHD have difficulty sustaining attention, especially in long conversations.

15. Feeling Overwhelmed

You easily get overwhelmed by tasks, responsibilities, or even social situations, making you feel stressed out. ADHD can make it hard to prioritize and manage time effectively, leading to a sense of being constantly overwhelmed. School projects, social events, and even small tasks would pile up, leaving me feeling like I was drowning.

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If you’re nodding along to most of these, it might be worth talking to someone about ADHD. Remember, you’re not alone, and there’s plenty of support out there to help you thrive. Reach out to a trusted adult, a counsellor, or a healthcare professional for guidance. You’ve got this, and I’m cheering you on every step of the way! 💖