Mental Health and Neurodiversity
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and in recognition of the importance of advocating for and tending to our mental health, both individually and collectively, it’s important to understand how mental health and neurodiversity intersect.
Neurodiversity and mental health are related concepts but they not the same thing.
Mental health refers to a person's overall psychological well-being. It encompasses a range of factors such as emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and social interactions. Mental health conditions can be temporary or transient, chronic, mild or severe, and may affect a person's ability to function in daily life.
Neurodiversity, on the other hand, is a concept that recognizes and celebrates the natural variations in human brain structure and function and behavior. It recognizes that there is no ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’ brain, but rather a diverse range of neurological differences—differences in brain structure and processing—that contribute to a rich and varied human experience. Examples of neurodiversity are autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and Tourette's syndrome, among others.
While mental health challenges can be a feature of neurodiversity, not all neurodivergent individuals have a mental health condition.
The intersection of mental health and neurodiversity
Evidence suggests that neurodivergent individuals may be more likely to experience mental health issues than their neurotypical counterparts. However, it is important to note that this is a complex issue, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
One study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders1 found that individuals with autism were more likely to experience anxiety and depression than those without autism. Another study published in BMC Psychiatry2 found that individuals with ADHD were more likely to experience depression and anxiety than those without ADHD.
These are only two examples of research that provide some evidence for a link between neurodivergence and mental health issues. However, there is still much that is not yet understood about the relationship between the two.
A chicken-and-egg problem
It is important to remember that not all neurodivergent individuals will experience mental health issues. Appropriate support and resources can reduce the likelihood of such issues arising, as well as helping to address those that do occur.
For example, because neurodiverse youth communicate differently, they are often bullied, shunned, or excluded from ‘normal’ social activities. The fallout from being bullied or ostracized may directly result in feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, and depression.
Imagine this: you’re an autistic and ADHD (often referred to as AuDHD) 13-year-old student transitioning from grade school to middle school. The new school is much larger than your familiar grade school. It’s noisier, with insanely bright fluorescent lighting and a wide open structure that amplifies noise. Your old friends have easily assimilated into the new social structure but the older children who are strangers to you treat you with derision, even going so far as to bully and threaten you. You take a different route home because you’re afraid of getting beat up again. You miss your old friends who aren’t struggling with the same feelings of frustration. You don’t feel safe or like you belong here. What’s more, the social and academic supports you received in grade school are just gone. Your grades are beginning to suffer and you feel lost. Is it any wonder you withdraw, isolating yourself from the cruelty of strangers? It doesn’t take a Ph.D. to understand why you might be feeling sad, lonely, depressed or anxious.
A proactive, community-based approach to mental health
Although medication does have its place in treating mental illness, too often it is offered to treat symptoms without addressing underlying causes. Similarly, some therapies that are recommended for autistic and other neurodivergent individuals are focused on trying to force ‘normality’ rather than meeting the individual where they are and helping them to build the skills to deal constructively with bullying, isolation, communication difficulties and other conditions that affect mental health.
Human beings — even those whose brains are different from the norm —are social animals. People thrive in connection with others. It is not possible to thrive when one feels unsafe or that they don’t belong. Safety and belonging are critical components of mental health, regardless of neurotype.
For autistic and other individuals who struggle to communicate or relate socially, developing specific skills goes a long way toward promoting positive mental health.
We refer to social skills coaching as a proactive, community-based approach to mental wellness. In today’s fractured, distracted, increasingly virtual world, learning how to connect with others in meaningful ways that honor each individual is a panacea for many mental health concerns.
Don’t Miss Our May 7 Workshop
Join us May 7th for a Mental Health Tools Workshop to explore three unique but complimentary frameworks for tending to your own mental health. Special guest instructors join us to present Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Experiencing, and Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping). GRAB YOUR TICKETS NOW!
