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116 Examples Of Behaviors People Later Realized Were Signs Of Neurodivergence

116 Examples Of Behaviors People Later Realized Were Signs Of Neurodivergence

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Many people discover, sometimes much later than expected, that they are not neurotypical, often because the signs were there, but just interpreted as, say, a fun, personal quirk. So we’ve gathered examples of neurodivergent and ADHD traits that people thought were just “normal” behaviors for the longest time.
An important note, don’t diagnose yourself from an online list, many of these behaviors are not necessarily exclusive to neurodivergence. Settle in as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your own experiences and thoughts in the comments down below.

#21

Two men having a serious conversation indoors illustrating neurodivergent perspectives and personal experiences.
Getting frustrated when people don’t finish their sentences fast enough, or don’t talk fast enough
24points

#22

Hyper fixation on a hobby and buying EVERYTHING for it and 2 weeks later it’s in the craft closet with $1k+ of other crafting/hobbies stuff just collecting dust. I also know that I won’t ever be bored because all the stuff in the creating closet so it’s like a safety net. 🤷🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️
23points

#23

Folded clothes in various colors stacked in a pile, illustrating comfort and sensory preferences of neurodivergent people.
Piles. Piles everywhere lmao
22points

#24

apparently there is "ADHD handwriting" where the letters look lazy at some points and sometimes it looks like it was written by different people bc we keep changing our letter style probs cuz we get bored 👀
22points

#25

Eating the same food, listening to the same songs, watching the same movies. On repeat.
22points

#26

Replaying arguments (from years ago) and finally having solid comebacks
22points

#27

A young man showing signs of distress while a concerned woman listens, highlighting neurodivergent experiences.
THE ANGER THAT BUILDS IN YOU HAVING TO REPEAT YOURSELF
21points

#28

Two women smiling and talking while working on laptops, illustrating neurodivergent experiences and connections.
over sharing to connect with someone. i didn't realize people thought it was being self absorbed. having multiple hobbies/projects. hyper fixation on collections, topics (reading mainly like h*******t, ancient Egypt, the tudors etc)
21points

#29

Person relaxing in a chair reading a book, representing experiences related to neurodivergent awareness and understanding.
Hearing my voice in my head when I’m reading, apparently some people don’t hear any voice….HOW CAN THEY READ 😬😬😬
20points

#30

Two people having a serious conversation indoors, illustrating a discussion about neurodivergent experiences and awareness.
asking someone what they said and then immediately knowing as soon as they start to repeat themselves 😭
20points

#31

Thinking nobody likes me and nobody wants to be my friend and I shouldn’t call to hang out because then I’m just bothering people.
20points

#32

Task paralysis. I know I need to do it, and it’s not even hard but I just freaking can’t. 😭
20points

#33

Talking to myself… it calms me down but people look at me crazy… I thought everyone did this
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20points

#34

Young person in a green hoodie lying on a leather couch, looking pensive, illustrating neurodivergent experiences.
Not being able to focus on something if I'm not 100% interested in it
19points

#35

Preparing for arguments that would never happen, all the time
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19points

#36

Young woman with curly hair holding her head in frustration, representing challenges of being neurodivergent.
Getting unreasonably angry over minor inconveniences affecting your schedule (people walking slow, talking slow, blocking the metro doors, stopping in the middle of a hallway etc)
18points

#37

I always have my brightness all the way down on my phone and notice how it affects my vision when it’s really bright
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18points

#38

Three women discussing neurodivergent experiences while holding mugs and a book near a window in a casual setting.
Interrupting people when they talk because you already assumed how the story will end (most of the times right)
17points

#39

Maybe not normal, because I knew other people did not do it, but knowing what is going to happen in series and movies, or guess what other people is going to say before they finish their sentence (not always right in this last one, though) because we are "aware" of patterns and just use them to fill out information.
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17points

#40

Young man covering his face in frustration, illustrating feelings related to being neurodivergent and misunderstood.
Misplacing everything all day after I just had it in my hand...
16points
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