4 Signs It's ADHD, Not 'Quirkiness' - Healthline

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ADHD

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Guidance On Not Misinterpreting ADHD as ‘Quirkiness’Medically reviewed by Andy Watkins-McCall, MD, MPH — Written by Reed Brice — Updated on March 3, 2025
  • Restlessness
  • Focusing
  • Memory lapses
  • Organization
  • Takeaway

ADHD symptoms can vary from person to person and may be hard to recognize. Restlessness, memory issues, distraction, and disorganization can all be signs of ADHD.

Recognizing the symptoms of attention deficit hypertension disorder (ADHD) can be challenging, especially when others describe them as “quirkiness” rather than recognizing them as a mental health condition.

You may have restlessness, memory lapses, distractions, and disorganization, which may affect how you function each day. You may notice many other ADHD symptoms, which you or people you know may dismiss without proper recognition and treatment.

You’re a little bit ‘extra’

Overtalking, restlessness, and fidgeting are huge tells for someone with ADHD.

Some people describe it as anxiety, trying to figure out a way to get out of their body as quickly as possible. Some stutter and repeat words, flex fingers and toes, and adjust their seats about one thousand times per minute — when they’re able to stay in it at all.

It all depends on how often you experience this and to what extent it affects your ability to get things done.

People have described ‘you’ as ‘all over the place’

Are your focus and control a little… like a ping pong ball?

If you can’t focus, it can be difficult to reach your goals, whether it’s finishing a project you’re passionate about or just letting someone else talk during a brief conversation. Staying on track is hard when your mental health condition gives you a hyperactive mind and too little impulse control.

ADHD can be exhausting. Remember, various exercises, meditative techniques, and medications are available to help you feel calibrated correctly. It all starts with recognizing the signs.

Experiencing memory lapses

Do you open the front door and immediately forget where you’re going because you saw a cute dog?

Are you constantly realizing you’re smack-dab in the middle of a conversation with someone you just got introduced to?

It may seem that some days, no matter how much you try, your brain just doesn’t cooperate.

People living with ADHD work with doctors and therapists on ways to keep from constantly being lost and stay in the present moment.

Disorganized and cluttered living spaces

Organization and clutter may be a way of life.

Please take a good, hard look at your surroundings, finances, and calendars to assess your organization and clutter.

Some may believe this is one of the most difficult traits to reconcile. When it’s gone from quirky to a set of harmful habits impairing one’s ability to live life to the fullest, it might be time to get some support.

Life with ADHD?

You can find out more about the many different ADHD symptoms that can affect your life and how you might work with a healthcare team to manage and treat this condition.

The takeaway

You can’t excuse a medical condition for less than flattering behavior, but you can understand why it’s happening and learn new habits to avoid or stop that behavior.

Always remember that you are not alone. You can talk with a doctor or psychiatrist, as they’re the ones who can order proper tests and offer some next steps to getting back on track.

 

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
  • Magnus W, et al. (2023). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28722868/

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Medically reviewed by Andy Watkins-McCall, MD, MPH — Written by Reed Brice — Updated on March 3, 2025

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