First off — trying to understand your brain better is seriously brave. And way more common than people realise.
Now, those online ADHD quizzes? Yeah, they can feel weirdly accurate — like, “Cool, diagnosed myself in five minutes. Slay.” But ADHD doesn’t look the same for everyone — especially for girls. So, if the quiz screamed YES but you don’t relate to everything your ADHD friends say? That actually makes sense.
If you want proper answers, the next step is seeing a doctor or psychologist for an assessment. At 12, that usually means your parent or carer will need to be involved — but that doesn’t mean you have to wait for them to totally get it before getting support.
Try talking to someone at school — like your guidance officer, youth health nurse, or a teacher you trust. They can help you figure out how to bring it up at home, or how to start getting the help you need. And if you want to talk it through with someone outside of school or home, you can reach out to Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) or Headspace Cairns — they’re kind, confidential, and really good at listening.
Wanting help doesn’t make you dramatic or attention-seeking — it means you’ve noticed things are feeling hard and you’re doing something about it. That’s powerful.
Yep. It’s more than okay. Some people like boys, some like girls, some like both — and some aren’t into anyone at all. All of that is real. All of that is valid. You don’t have to label it right away, and you definitely don’t have to explain it to anyone if you’re not ready.
If you're at a school or around people who make jokes or act like it’s “weird,” that can feel super uncomfortable — or even unsafe. But there is nothing wrong with you. You are not the problem. The problem is with people who haven’t learned how to be kind about stuff they don’t understand yet.
One thing I know for sure? There are people — even if you haven’t met them yet — who will see you, respect you, and love you exactly as you are. Stay close to the ones who make you feel safe being yourself.
If you’re looking for support, Minus18 is an amazing space made by and for LGBTQIA+ young people and YETI Cairns is a great local space too! You can also talk to Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800 or webchat), or reach out to a guidance officer or nurse at school if that feels okay for you. You're not alone in this.
www.minus18.org.au
https://yeti.net.au/programs/ssay-it/
Oof, that can feel so awkward — but hey, it also means you're brave enough to catch feelings, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. If they’re asking about it, you’ve got a few options depending on how you feel in the moment.
If you’re still into them, you could keep it chill and say something like, “Yeah, I kind of do like you — no big deal.” Or if you’re not sure anymore or feeling a bit embarrassed, it’s totally okay to say, “Yeah, maybe I did, but it’s not a huge thing.” You don’t owe anyone a big explanation.
Crushes come and go — they’re a regular part of figuring stuff out. Just be kind to yourself and try not to overthink it too much. You’ve already handled a tricky moment with more confidence than you probably realise.
Feeling awkward when approaching someone is super normal, especially when you like them! The key is to just be yourself and keep things casual. You don’t need to have the perfect line—sometimes just saying “hi” or starting a simple conversation about something you both like (like a TV show or a class you’re in) can be a great way to start a conversation.
Remember, they’re just a person like you! If you focus on being friendly and not putting too much pressure on yourself, it’ll feel less awkward. And even if it’s a bit awkward at first, that’s okay too. Most people feel that way sometimes. Just take it slow, be kind, and you’ve got this!
