Therapy

The Overlap of Neurodivergence and Trauma

Stephanie Yandow, Resident Therapist

Neurodivergence is a growing term among pop culture. Many social media personalities use it to talk about their Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Since this media attention on neurodivergence has spiked, there have been increasing amounts of people seeking out diagnoses of ADHD and ASD. Many state that their way of thinking is aligned with what they have learned from others who are neurodivergent - often via TikTok, Instagram, Reddit posts, etc.

However, the term neurodivergence encompasses more than just those two diagnoses; it refers to a difference in brain functioning that is considered “atypical”. While many people believe that the difference is only inborn, neurodivergence can also be acquired from environmental circumstances. One of these acquired neurodivergent diagnoses is called Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (cPTSD).

What is cPTSD?

cPTSD is a mental health disorder that is acquired due to prolonged exposure to repeated trauma. Some symptoms of cPTSD include distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsivity, forgetfulness, emotional dysregulation, sleep irregularities, and task-switching difficulties. Sound familiar? The listed characteristics are also common aspects of ADHD. Many of these cPTSD symptoms have been used as subconscious coping mechanisms and are a response to repeated trauma.

Because cPTSD involves experiencing trauma, a person’s nervous system can regularly be in a heightened state. This heightened state can cause various environments to feel overwhelming. Public spaces may be too loud; hugs may feel suffocating; flickering lights might cause distress. This hypersensitivity is also a common aspect of ASD, but in this case it's due to trauma and a nervous system in overdrive.

Is it common to have cPTSD?

Within the queer and gender diverse populations, PTSD is up to 10 times more common when compared to the general population in part due to exposure to violence, the burden of additional identity-related stress, and lower access to quality treatments (Valentine et al., 2022). Identity exploration in disaffirming environments is not always acknowledged as a traumatic event, but creates a significant amount of distress that can impact the nervous system and the way that someone’s brain develops. Although cPTSD is not the only acquired neurodivergent diagnosis, it is one that is more prevalent among the queer and gender diverse communities and can often mimic characteristics of ADHD or ASD.

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Tips for healing from cPTSD

Because cPTSD leads to an overworked nervous system, it is important to connect the mind and the body to have more active control over the nervous system. The mind interprets the surroundings, while the body reacts to the surroundings. By becoming more mindful of our environment while being aware of our bodies, we can help to regulate and calm the “fight or flight” response. The more we practice this mind-body connection consciously, the more we learn to regulate ourselves subconsciously. The mind should be asking and answering questions about safety and comfort. Are my surroundings safe? Is anything going to harm me at this moment? Are there any saber-toothed tigers around? If we are safe, we can then start checking in with how our body feels in time and space.

Below are some examples of some somatic exercises that promote the mind-body connection. No one mind nor one body are the same, so people may have significantly different internal reactions to different exercises. Some exercises may feel better or more helpful than others. Meet yourself where you are at, not pushing yourself past what is comfortable.

Practicing these exercises is all about finding which exercises feel best for you!

● 54321 T echnique: List 5 things you see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste

● Body Scan: Mentally check in with every part of your body slowly starting from head and working down to your toes, letting tension melt from the top of your head down towards the floor as you go

● Grounding: Walk barefoot, being aware of the textures of the ground and feeling the earth provide support underneath you

● Yoga: Do restorative yoga that focuses on slow, gentle movements, you can find guided videos of restorative yoga online

● Swaying: Sway your body slowly back and forth with a soft gaze or closed eyes

Conclusion

Although the term neurodivergence has been commonly used in pop culture, it is important to understand that it is more broad than what is seen on social media. If you are experiencing characteristics of neurodivergence, it may be related to cPTSD. Despite it not being widely discussed among social media, cPTSD is in fact a form of neurodivergence. It is important to note that there are ways to cope with cPTSD. In addition to using the included exercises to start a journey of healing from trauma, seeking out neurodivergent affirming therapists can help people to work through their life experiences while feeling affirmed in their different way of thinking.