Great question! Yes, it is completely okay to be friends with people of a different gender.
Sometimes people can make it feel like it isn’t okay, weird or joke that you must have a crush on each other just because you’re close, but friendships do not have to be romantic. You can just enjoy hanging out, laughing, gaming, talking, or being good mates.
What matters most in a friendship is feeling respected, safe, included and able to be yourself — not someone’s gender.
Respectful compliments can feel really nice, especially when they make you feel understood, appreciated or good about yourself. Things like “You’re really funny,” “I like spending time with you,” or “You’re a great artist!”
But compliments should never feel like pressure or make you uncomfortable. If someone only ever compliments how you look, makes comments about your body that feel uncomfortable, or expects something back because they said something nice, that is not okay.
A good compliment feels safe, kind and respectful. Trust your gut. If it feels weird, too much, or makes you feel like you have to act a certain way, it is okay to say, “Please don’t say that,” or talk to a trusted adult.
Some people might react a bit differently at first. Not because there’s anything wrong with you, but because a lot of people don’t really understand ADHD and might have weird ideas about it. That can feel frustrating or awkward.
But your real friends, the ones who know you, are still going to see you. You’re the same person. This diagnosis doesn’t change who you are, it just helps explain how your brain works.
And being real for a second, ADHD can impact things. It can make focusing harder, staying organised tricky, or emotions feel bigger and faster sometimes. School can feel frustrating, and you might get told to “just try harder” when you already are. That’s not you failing, that’s your brain needing different kinds of support.
The good part is, once you know what’s going on, you can actually get help that works for you. That might be things like support at school, learning different ways to focus or stay organised, talking to someone who understands ADHD, or even medication for some people. There are also heaps of tools and strategies that make life feel way more manageable.
You also get to choose who you tell. You don’t owe anyone that information until you feel ready. The right people won’t think less of you for it. If anything, it can help them understand you better and show up for you properly.
If you want to learn more or talk to someone who gets it, ADHD Australia has support for young people on 1300 039 270. You don’t have to figure this out on your own.
Having trouble sleeping can feel really difficult, and we’re not going to tell you to “just close your eyes” or “put your phone away”… because when you’re lying there wide awake, that advice is honestly so annoying and not helpful.
If you’re stuck awake until 2am, there’s usually a reason for it, even if it’s not obvious. A lot of young people go through a stages where their sleep changes and they might have trouble getting to sleep, especially during puberty. On top of that, your brain might be busy or overthinking – even more when you are stressed about NOT getting to sleep!
Instead of trying to figure it out on your own, here’s some ideas to help:
- Start by talking to an adult you trust. Let them know what’s been going on and how it’s affecting you.
- Ask them to if this is something you could talk to a doctor about. This is exactly the kind of thing they’re there for.
- Before you go, write down what’s been happening. Things like what time you’re falling asleep, how often it’s happening, and everything you’ve already tried. That way you don’t have to remember it all in the moment, and they can actually see the full picture.
And if being awake at night is starting to mess with your mood or feel overwhelming, you don’t have to sit in it alone. Kids Helpline is there 24/7 on 1800 55 1800, even at 2am when you’re wide awake and over it.
