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There comes a time in every person’s life when they are forced to reconcile the fact that, actually, what they think is entirely normal doesn’t represent how the average person operates. If one happens to not be neurologically typical, then this might be the list for you.

Someone made a post stating “Neurodivergent folks, what’s a symptom you thought was normal until you realized it absolutely wasn’t?” and people shared their best examples. Note, many of the things here can be attributed to neurodivergence, but are not exclusive to it. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to write down and obsess over your own examples in the comments below.

#1

Two people indoors, one sitting on couch with supportive hand on shoulder, illustrating neurodivergent habits and understanding. When people tell me a story, I tell them a similar story to try to relate. Ppl don’t like that they think I’m trying to make it about myself when I’m trying to empathize.

Evatron , Alex Green/Pexels Report

Zig Zag Wanderer
Community Member
19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so incredibly common. I tried hard to stop doing this decades ago, thinking I was being egotistical. I only recently discovered that all neurodivergents do it to some extent. It made me fell better.

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    #2

    “Brain Radio”: 86 Signs You Might Have A Neurodivergent Brain Not actually “missing” many people or feeling the urge to talk to friends or anyone besides the people you’re around everyday. People are like out of sight out of mind.

    Parris B. Mason , cottonbro studio/Pexels Report

    Nat Rich
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hate this one. My dad has cancer and I still forget to check in on him

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    #3

    Close-up of a showerhead with water flowing, representing habits neurodivergent people thought were normal. Not hating showering itself but hating the task initiation.

    FinnandSam , Karola G/Pexels Report

    Ange Marsden
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And then hating the transition from warm shower to cold wet bathroom

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    #4

    Man in a brown coat using a laptop, deep in thought, illustrating neurodivergent habits considered normal. Constantly googling things when I don't know. It boggles my mind that people don't know something and then just keep moving through life not knowing.....

    xannybamm , Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels Report

    BlitheSpirit
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I do this, always just chalked it up to curiosity.

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    #5

    A thoughtful woman touching her face, reflecting on habits neurodivergent people thought were normal. I replay conversations I have with people in my head.. to try to determine if said the appropriate thing and I totally over analyze it. It can be exhausting...

    Los 💙💙💙 , Liza Summer/Pexels Report

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    #6

    A neurodivergent person with glasses looks puzzled while using a laptop covered in various stickers in dim lighting. Always needing to know “why” and doing extensive deep research about random things only to completely lose interest a month or two later.

    Cay Schneider , Варвара Курочкина/Pexels Report

    Sally Moen
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably my first word after Momma was Why

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    #7

    Close-up of a woman pointing to her head, illustrating habits and behaviors associated with neurodivergent people. Brain radio! I thought everyone else was hearing music on repeat inside their head. 😭

    c , Engin Akyurt/Pexels Report

    #8

    Young person with smartwatch and tattoo covering face, surrounded by papers and books, illustrating neurodivergent habits and challenges. Clearing my ENTIRE day to get ready for an event at 7pm.

    DayumDeltaco , Karola G/Pexels Report

    #9

    Woman with hand on head looking confused at laptop screen, representing neurodivergent habits misunderstood by others. Hating obligations, they stress me out. Even fun ones.

    pookieshoes , Yan Krukau/Pexels Report

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    #10

    Person with a distressed expression covering ears, representing common habits neurodivergent people thought were normal. Getting overwhelmed by environmental noise but always needing the right background noises.

    JustMeT , Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels Report

    TheOGpandaHavana
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish more people could truly understand what this feels like.

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    #11

    I don’t know if there’s a word for it but just thoughts ALL the time about seemingly everything. If I’m interacting with someone I’m thinking about the way I’m sitting or standing, what they think of me, if I’m responding normally, eye contact, that random thing that happened 10 yrs ago and made me feel bad, am I nodding too much?” It takes me out of the moment. Makes me wonder how ppl genuinely enjoy things for a prolonged amount of time.

    Auth3ntic_D3z Report

    Rick Murray
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I find it mind blowing that people can have a period of "no thoughts". Like, you guys have an off switch?

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    #12

    Young woman with a serious expression listening attentively, representing habits neurodivergent people thought were normal. Having full conversations with myself in my head…

    Ambi🐝 , cottonbro studio/Pexels Report

    Colleen Glim
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have full conversations with myself out loud. Some days it’s my only means of having an intelligent conversation

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    #13

    Young man deep in thought with a woman in the background, illustrating habits neurodivergent people thought were normal. Constant overthinking, ruminating, worrying, intrusive, racing thoughts. Until my 30s I thought everyone had the same & were just sailing through life not bothered by it.

    Ggracie Lan , Athena Sandrini/Pexels Report

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    #14

    Young woman with curly hair and glasses wearing red headphones, enjoying music, representing neurodivergent habits awareness. Listening to one song on repeat for hours.

    yannyricciardo , Jorge Fakhouri Filho/Pexels Report

    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    13 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’ve done this just means u love that song its your happy place , nothing more ,

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    #15

    Group of friends enjoying sunset outdoors, illustrating habits neurodivergent people thought were normal in social settings Wanting friends but unable to keep them bc I can’t ever seem to truly like a person once I get to know them.

    sam :) , Helena Lopes/Pexels Report

    #16

    Silhouette of a person sitting alone on a wooden dock at sunset, reflecting on neurodivergent habits. Object permanence, I don’t miss anyone or anything, is a struggle 😩

    UnclFredstr:

    Object permanence, especially with people. I can go months without communicating, and yet to me, when I do, it feels like just yesterday.

    klimti1 , Pixabay/Pexels Report

    TheOGpandaHavana
    Community Member
    18 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, this is hard for me to understand because I have it but I also have intense anxiety. Therefore I get incredibly anxious about future regrets for things I don't currently miss. It's a never-ending vicious cycle.

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    #17

    Person with glasses looking at a phone in the dark, illustrating habits neurodivergent people thought were normal. Time blindness. I zone out and look at my phone and 2 hours have gone by.

    Mandy Moomaw , Yassir Abbas/Pexels Report

    Maya_D
    Community Member
    Premium
    13 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My husband is like this and it drives me crazy! We’re late for everything because he has no concept of time whereas I’m always aware of it.

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    #18

    Person holding a smartphone with two people in casual clothes, illustrating neurodivergent habits in daily life. Having to do two things at once in order to pay full attention to one of those things. Example: playing a game on my phone in order to be able to pay attention to a lecture or meeting.

    lauracat100 , Darina Belonogova/Pexels Report

    Stardust she/her
    Community Member
    Premium
    11 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I used to doodle in my notebook during lectures for this reason but then my teacher told me to never do it again so I began fully zoning out and now he complains I don’t pay attention

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    #19

    Young man with a focused expression reading a document, illustrating habits neurodivergent people thought were normal Instantly recognizing patterns.

    Pam1 , Michael Burrows/Pexels Report

    TheOGpandaHavana
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love patterns! I would not say that I'm good at recognizing them though. 😅

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    #20

    Forgetting a person's name straight after they've told you.

    77RaeRae77莉里🇳🇿 Report

    Corbmi
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had to occasionally work with two chaps at another company. When I met them, one of them said "My name is Stu, like stew" and then acted out the motion of stirring a large pot of stew. That was over 20 years ago and I still remember his name. The other chap's name I would forget often. His first name is the same as my own.

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    #21

    Two women having a serious conversation indoors, representing neurodivergent people discussing habits thought to be normal. Saying exactly what I mean but then being called rude when I was being legitimately neutral.

    Autumn Little , Christina Morillo/Pexels Report

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    18 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes your body language or way of speaking conveys something that the words don't. Or the person may be unexpectedly defensive or sensitive about the matter, and poised to feel offended or slighted, no matter how neutral you you think you're being.

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    #22

    Getting genuinely obsessed with something for a period of time only to then drop it and start the process all over again with something else that caught your interest.

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    LillieMean
    Community Member
    10 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm a bipolar and I have a big shame box full of unfinished art projects, a bag of yarn balls and crochet projects I've started, and too many half-full notebooks.

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    #23

    Over explaining 😭😭 I need to keep everything short and sweet but then I feel like I’m not getting my point across good enough.

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    Zig Zag Wanderer
    Community Member
    19 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because people ALWAYS get something about it wrong because they make assumptions. It's frustrating, and that's why I put as much information in the initial description as possible. Definitely makes it less easy to tell or understand, though, so it's counter-productive. Catch 22!

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    #24

    Close-up of a person adjusting a wristwatch, highlighting habits neurodivergent people thought were normal. Countdown clock for everything. Apparently "getting ready to get ready to go" is not a normal thing.

    bevin s , Yuliana Kungurova/Pexels Report

    #25

    Having to train myself to make eye contact with people in conversation.

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    Rick Murray
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Which eye? Should I alternate? Stare between them? People demand eye contact then start to get creeped out when you put in the effort to do it - why?

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    #26

    Young man wearing glasses and white shirt, thoughtfully holding a pen, illustrating neurodivergent habits in focus. Perfectionism. It slows me down with every task, job etc.

    Gingermama3 , Antoni Shkraba Studio/Pexels Report

    Tabitha
    Community Member
    1 hour ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes! Mostly because my rough drafts are VERY rough. I never could get the hang of making an outline, so tend to just brain dump thoughts onto paper, with lots of new paragraphs begun but not concluded (needing more research and of course, citations), and not always in order (hell, that’s how this comment was written). Also, I think so much faster than I write, so my handwriting is a scrawl and most of the time illegible to anyone but me—-though sometimes it’s a struggle for me too. This was especially true back in the day when all assignments were handwritten (I sure am showing my age). I would have to neaten up my “rough” draft just so the instructor could make head or tails of it, so it wasn’t truly rough anymore. Believe me when I say I love using technology. I am now able to type my rough drafts out so they’re at least readable (I do have to take care to check the weird associations spellcheck makes—-it is my nemesis), and cut, paste, and easily erase and type over corrections.

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    #27

    Person with a tattoo reading a book in bed under warm light, reflecting habits neurodivergent people thought were normal. Reading for 30 minutes and having no clue what I just read.

    piratequeen , cottonbro studio/Pexels Report

    #28

    Eating the same option for 3 weeks...then hating it for years 😭😂

    Glam Goodiez Report

    Zig Zag Wanderer
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ha ha! The number of times my cupboard or fridge gets filled with 'that thing I have to have all the time' once I suddenly stop wanting it is crazy!

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    #29

    Inability to sleep before any event the next day no matter how unimportant it is

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    Rick Murray
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Inability to sleep because all the noise inside.

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    #30

    Pattern recognition, re-reading the same sentence/question 10 times and still not understanding, reading a whole page in a book and not even knowing what i read, food hyperfixations, rumination, hating showering because it’s a “big task” for me, not doing anything before a work shift (even if it’s at 4pm) because i’m afraid i won’t have time, listening to the same song over and over, overstimulation by crowds/loudness, getting overwhelmed/frustrated REALLY easily, over analyzing, i could probably think of more.

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    #31

    Predicting the end of movies, shows, conventions. Being human lie detector and not being able to put into words why I don’t like someone immediately.

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    Stardust she/her
    Community Member
    Premium
    11 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’ve been able to understand people’s personalities without having to interact with them so I rarely have proof when I dislike someone even though I’m usually right

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    #32

    task initiation. 1. i cant do a task just by thinking i want to do it. i have to have an actual external push/drive. like cleaning my house, i mope around all day thinking i will clean i will clean. but tell me you be dropping by in 45 mins, and i can clean it all up. 2. I cant do anything alone, i need a body double to just be there with me even if they aren't doing the same thing im doing. 3. i cant just start and stop a task by my own. i could literally work all day with no breaks if no one tells me to do a bathroom break, or a meal break. so yeah. when I learned about that, I'm like, this is too complicated.

    PPOP GIRLIE Report

    TheOGpandaHavana
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So similar but it's more that if I stop to take a break, I won't be able to start again and sometimes it's almost impossible to stop even if I want/need to! I do things better alone than with someone but I definitely need external motivation.

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    #33

    Needing lists of things. If I don’t have my checklist then i’ll probably forget half the things i was supposed to do.

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    DaisyBee
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Verbal instructions go in one ear and out the other, usually to the tune of some song

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    #34

    Young man with beard and white shirt looking stressed and thoughtful while working on a laptop indoors, reflecting neurodivergent habits. All or nothing mentality.

    keetzalsweetzal , Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels Report

    SchadenFreudian Psychology
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or the opposite. I see all possible sides to a situation, all the shades of grey….and get stuck in analysis paralysis.

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    #35

    Smiling red-haired woman standing by whiteboard, representing habits neurodivergent people thought were normal in a casual setting Being able to know instantly when a new person is a not safe person.

    nicoleevans62 , ThisIsEngineering/Pexels Report

    Stardust she/her
    Community Member
    Premium
    11 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When you’ve been hurt and used by many people throughout your life, you’ll be able to figure out who’s more likely to do the same to you again

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    #36

    Hating ice breakers. For some reason people genuinely like those.

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    Nat Rich
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do people like them though or do they just say they do because they want to say the right thing? I cannot imagine a world where people genuinely like those lol

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    #37

    Maladaptive daydreaming, specially how it affected my memory.

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    Maya_D
    Community Member
    Premium
    13 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Kept me from fully living my life for years. So much of my time was spent inside my head. While I still have a good imagination, I can live in the real world most of the time these days, now I’m properly medicated.

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    #38

    I hate being in the kitchen doing anything if someone else is there😭

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    Toujin C'Thlu
    Community Member
    17 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel like I can't do anything productive if someone else is in the room with me

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    #39

    Over analyzing every interaction I have with another person. Rejection sensitivity. Extreme reactions to any type of music that tickles my brain and gives me a dopamine release.

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    TheOGpandaHavana
    Community Member
    17 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All of that is so painful! Even the music. I do get dopamine but I also am easily negatively influenced. 😞

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    #40

    Justice sensitivity to the extent of self detriment.

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    Stardust she/her
    Community Member
    Premium
    11 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It genuinely distressed me and made me miss out on so many opportunities and memories because I had such a strong sense of justice even when it wasn’t ever necessary

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    #41

    Behavioral pattern recognition and intuitively knowing what decisions people will make before they act. Also, having entire conversations in your head about hypothetical situations that could occur before you attend an event or have the actual conversation.

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    Dee Hampton
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This happens when you are highly critical of yourself. Be spontaneous. It is up to them how they receive your words.

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    #42

    The constant second guessing of everything I do or feel, making things harder than they are, being able to feel what others are thinking and assuming they hate you, completely underestimating how long it takes to do things.

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    Sue User
    Community Member
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Assuming they hate you....so me. So then I pull back to not be a bother and they feel hurt.

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    #43

    Having to listen to something to stimulate my brain so i can go to sleep, otherwise ill just be up thinking about any and everything.

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    #44

    Coffee. I thought people were lying about their need for coffee in the morning because caffeine does nothing for me.

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    RM
    Community Member
    13 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some people just don't react to caffeine - I could drink the strongest coffee, one after the other, then go to bed and sleep fine. One of my colleagues at work is the same. Most people I know, however, claims the caffeine energises them or wakes them up. I drink it because I like the taste.

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    #45

    Woman sitting outdoors with hands on her head, illustrating habits neurodivergent people thought were normal. Extreme sensory issues. Have to be wearing socks 24/7. The air itself is a sensory issue.

    Coneja , RDNE Stock project/Pexels Report

    Papa
    Community Member
    8 hours ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    For me it's just loud noises in some situations. For example, a local restaurant has bingo on Friday nights. They use a PA system, and the acoustics of the building just seem to amplify it. We went there once when that was going on. I rushed through my meal and then waited outside while my wife finished hers. We haven't gone back on a Friday since.

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    #46

    Never being able to remember people's names, forgetting words in the middle of speaking, losing track of what I was trying to write because I couldn't write fast enough and my brain won't slow down, forgeting appointment is, forgetting homework. Basically everything that has to do with working memory. I am very lucky to live in a time when supports are readily available and culturally acceptable.

    Jared Young Report

    Mike F
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, point for point what I experience almost daily. The list thing is really exasperating.

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    #47

    High emotions for everything and having a hard time getting over things… I’d mad for days if you let me.

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    Nat Rich
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh I'm the opposite about getting over things and it annoys me. If I'm wronged I forget why and I struggle to hold a grudge. Which might sound good but some people deserve a grudge to be held.

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    #48

    CONSTANTLY misplacing/losing things and then consequentially having a full blown meltdown over not finding it as a full grown adult.

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    Maya_D
    Community Member
    Premium
    13 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m a pretty calm person - until I lose something. Then I also lose my fricken mind.

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    #49

    I don't like lights. I want the house dark no lights. My bedroom is very dark. That's where I want to be

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    zububonsai
    Community Member
    16 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hate too bright light in the early mornings (I call my ceiling lamp in the kitchen "interrogation lamp" 🫩). I start with little lights scattered in different corners instead and a 5 candles holder on the kitchen table. (the "hygge" concept of lighting rooms). When I'm "awake" enough I can switch on "the big light".

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    #50

    Going down creative rabbit holes and not being able to sleep until I “get the itch out”.

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    #51

    Chatter in my mind, always thinking always ruminating making up scenarios, making up entire new worlds, navigation skills, time anxiety and being soooo prompt, taking things literally, pattern recognition to point I can tell the future based on it 😅 ocd but messy too.

    Dora Zsitvay Report

    #52

    When people are talking interrupting to ask questions. I thought I was actively listening… turns out you have to let people finish their sentences?

    Easy Peezy Breezy Report

    Zig Zag Wanderer
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a friend (neurodivergent but doesn't realise it) who constantly does this. Unfortunately, his mind works so fast that he can't be patient enough to listen to it all. It outright becomes impossible to tell him a story because of it, unfortunately.

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    #53

    Young woman with long dark hair sitting behind a laptop, engaging in a conversation about neurodivergent habits. I can't listen when I'm making eye contact.

    Lila 🌿 , Karola G/Pexels Report

    TheOGpandaHavana
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OMG this! Either you want me to LOOK like I'm paying attention or you want me to ACTUALLY listen but not look like I am but you definitely can't have both! Also, don't expect me to speak coherently if you want eye contact while I'm talking; I barely make sense without it. 😵

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    #54

    Not wanting to brush my teeth!

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    Sue User
    Community Member
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I cannot STAND mint toothpaste. Ugh. I was good for a while when they were adding charcoal to everything. Someone bought me strawberry, but it was way to sweet. And the foam, ugh! Found cinnamon mouthwash the other day and loving brushing now.

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    #55

    Close-up of a person with a beard touching their ear, illustrating habits neurodivergent people thought were normal. Captioned speech. I thought everybody spelled spoken words in their head???

    Kathie Stamps , Anna Pou/Pexels Report

    Sally Moen
    Community Member
    16 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Closed captions used to be rare before the 1990s in the US, now it's so very common, and I'm very grateful.

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    #56

    Feeling like I’m watching myself live in 3rd person.

    xoxo gossip goose Report

    #57

    Young woman sitting outdoors in sunlight, reflecting on habits neurodivergent people thought were normal. I can’t stand still, I have to rock side to side.

    Sarajane🩵 , Matheus Bertelli/Pexels Report

    TheOGpandaHavana
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm constantly moving. It's so perplexing to be both extremely exhausted and feel like I can't stop moving or I'll explode.

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    #58

    Not ever having an agenda book or planner work for me longer than maybe three days😂

    case Report

    Nat Rich
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A new notebook for each big new task and you say this will be THE notebook, but it never is. Next big task comes along and a new notebook must be had lol

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    #59

    Remembering EVERY. THING. I was well into my thirties before I realized that most people do not remember every single detail of most situations. 😅

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    Stardust she/her
    Community Member
    Premium
    10 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’ve got working memory from when I was 4-6 months old and can remember nearly everything that’s ever happened to me and what was said to me by everyone. I remember everyone’s faces, their personalities etc and what I was thinking during each of these moments. I can remember before I could think. It’s exhausting

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    #60

    Having to read someone's lips to understand what they are saying.😭😭😭

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    Nat Rich
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes! This is why I hate telephone calls with a passion but I'm absolutely fine with a zoom call

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    #61

    Ruminating to the point it keeps me up at night and I make myself physically sick, avoiding eating certain foods altogether bc I don't like the texture, safe foods or "fixation meals", non-linear grief, lack of maintaining a self care schedule and lacking time management... I could keep going but yeah.

    Lovely Amaryllis Report

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    #62

    Woman with blonde hair and red lipstick deep in thought, representing neurodivergent habits and behaviors reflection. Intellectualizing emotions instead of processing them.

    Eidolon☭🇵🇸🌈 , Karola G/Pexels Report

    Gail Lott
    Community Member
    Premium
    16 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My therapist would always have to stop me and say, “I didn’t ask you what you THINK about it, I asked you how you FEEL about it.” I would be stumped.

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    #63

    I did not realize people genuinely do not see an issue with things being moved/touched. I tell my coworkers constantly "if you use my stuff, put it back EXACTLY where you found it" but they just toss it on my cart instead. it makes me irrationally upset. It's MY STUFF, why are you touching it.

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    Nat Rich
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh yes, I feel this in my bones. I've had to buy myself so many "my mug"s because people keep using it lol. I'm now happily settled with a unicorn shaped one that noone else seems to like using hehe

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    #64

    Listening to a song 5000 times until you find a new fixation. Repetitive actions (I twirl my hair into a pattern repeatedly) without even thinking about it.

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    General Anaesthesia
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Spotify tends to make a song inaccessible if you listen to it too often in a short time. They have no sympathy for your need to hear it.

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    #65

    Immediate and severe 2nd hand embarrassment even though it has nothing to do with me. Intense and complete full conversations in my head before speaking. Pacing while on the phone. Needing to do everything in order ie there are 3 houses- have to go to house 1, first house 2, second etc., watching the same movie, shows, or books that I know every word to on repeat., unable to wear mismatch socks without anxiety, cutting every nail and filing them because one nail broke.

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    Maya_D
    Community Member
    Premium
    13 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I get second hand embarrassment so bad. Can’t even watch a lot of comedies because cringe-inducing stuff is so painful to me.

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    #66

    Randomly thinking “touch that object or something really bad will happen.”

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    TheOGpandaHavana
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Haha! This was me as a kid all the time! It's rare now, but I'm still really superstitious about jinxes.

    #67

    Being able to automatically identify other neurodivergent people.

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    #68

    Close-up of multiple electrical cords plugged into a smart power strip representing neurodivergent habits concept. Being able to hear electricity.

    Steven Rea , Steve Johnson/Pexels Report

    #69

    Organizing my shirts in the color of the rainbow with matching hangers.

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    #70

    I am a synesthete – I feel different sounds in my body (pressure/vibration/pulling/...), which I only became aware of when I put on noise-cancelling headphones for the first time and all these bodily sensations suddenly stopped. The sensory overload caused by AuDHS therefore has a double impact.

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    Stardust she/her
    Community Member
    Premium
    10 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Huh, interesting. I didn’t know that this was a type of synaesthesia. I’ve got synaesthesia which allows me to associate colours and personalities to things like numbers, letters, music etc. Hell, I can even associate movements with sound so I don’t need audio when watching videos if I have subtitles, I can just piece together all the sounds in my brain without putting any actual mental effort. I used to have another synaesthesia as a kid where if a movie character felt pain then I’d also feel it. I couldn’t watch action movies growing up as I’d feel pain where a character got shot

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    #71

    Trying to understand why some people did what they did almost obsessively is so bad learnt to only care about WHAT HAPPENED not WHY it happened.

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    TheOGpandaHavana
    Community Member
    16 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I make my husband angry regularly by trying to understand why he did or didn't do something. He makes me angry regularly by not being interested in understanding why I did or didn't do something.

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    #72

    I thought everyone was aware of how loud they were crunching when eating crunchy things.

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    Stardust she/her
    Community Member
    Premium
    10 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some girl in my class yesterday ate chips in such a bad way. She was sitting at the back and I was sitting at the very first bench but I could hear everything; the way her lips smacked, the way she sucked and crunched the chips etc. How are people not self aware?

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    #73

    Being gifted. I could read early, learn multiple languages from library books, do advanced college classes in middle school, and I was a speed reader.

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    Sally Moen
    Community Member
    16 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Turns out speed reading isn't a job skill needed these days. Nor is being able to read upside down text

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    #74

    Having a particular order to eating foods and making sure to have ideal bites.

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    #75

    Avoiding showering because I don’t like the feeling of wet hair. But I love being clean.

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    Stardust she/her
    Community Member
    Premium
    10 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hate hate hate wet hair so much! It’s uncomfortable and I can’t do anything on days when I have wet hair. Doing anything in wet hair feels painful at times and washing my hair ruins the entire day. I have to prep myself for one hour on hairwashing days

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    #76

    Derealization/depersonalization. Literally thought everyone had those, until I randomly started to ask around and everyone started to look at me like "???" when I described it.

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    #77

    Hands performing a back examination on a person wearing a dark gray shirt, representing neurodivergent habits awareness. Postural sway. I didn’t know it was not normal.

    emmavengeance , Karola G/Pexels Report

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    #78

    Limerence 😭

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    Lady Eowyn
    Community Member
    10 hours ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Limerence is defined as an involuntary, intense romantic obsession characterized by intrusive thoughts and a longing for emotional reciprocation. It often involves emotional suffering due to unmet romantic needs or uncertainties. Limerence can feel like an a*******n, marked by an intense fear of rejection and a desire to be desired. It encompasses cognitive, physical, and emotional experiences, making it a complex phenomenon in romantic relationships. Simply Psychology +3

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    #79

    Anxious body spasm/shivers.

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    #80

    Always counting 😭😭😭why am I counting how many times I typed A😭😭5 btw

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    Rick Murray
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes. Half the time I forget what I'm counting so have to start again. Music is good for this, especially prog rock - one two three four five six seven one two three four five six seven...

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    #81

    Loading the dishwasher in a very certain way.

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    Blue Bunny of Happiness
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m sure this isn’t just a ND thing, my husband never loaded the dishwasher correctly. Even getting him to put things in it rather than on top of it was a win though, even if I did have to rearrange it. Let’s not talk about hanging out washing….

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    #82

    My pedantic speech, everyone says I’m “well spoken” no, I have a large vocabulary and speak like this mainly because it brings me comfort knowing nothing I said is left for interpretation. Any misunderstanding is entirely the other person’s fault.

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    Zig Zag Wanderer
    Community Member
    18 hours ago (edited)

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Unfortunately, almost everything you say is open to interpretation, and will certainly be interpreted in a way you don't anticipate. It sad, but it's true. It is especially true of writing, unfortunately, because the nuances of tone and emphasis is missing.

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    #83

    Needing a plan for every single plan so i know what and when i can do my routine for getting ready and if there’s no plan im extremely confused and don’t know what to do.

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    Kelly Scott
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Having a plan saves your mental energy for thinking about other things.

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    #84

    Getting irrationally upset and not being able to comprehend when someone doesn’t like the same things as me.

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    Stardust she/her
    Community Member
    Premium
    10 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a kid (and even now) my special interest has been astronomy and I struggled with the concept that not everyone liked astronomy. Some kids would tell me to shut up and I could never understand how they would only talk about cartoons and not about space.

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    #85

    My extreme mood swings.

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    #86

    Moving from room to room and cleaning it my mind was blown when I found out people don’t actually clean this way. I thought it was a flex now I’m cleaning paralyzed.

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    Sue User
    Community Member
    14 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Then the last room looks a wreck because as you cleaned each room, you dumped what doesn't belong in the other rooms. The last room not only has the stuff that belongs there and needs out away but the stuff that needs thrown out and the stuff to be deep sorted.

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