Owning Your Neurodiverse Identity in Adulthood
Are you a neurodiverse woman looking to improve your mental health and well-being? Neurodiversity in women is often narrowed to ADHD or autism, but the term can be used to describe the wide range of neurological variations in individuals and their unique strengths, talents, and challenges.
As a neurodiverse woman, you may have experienced unique pressures and expectations, which can be difficult to manage. Fortunately, there are a variety of simple strategies that can help you to care for yourself and promote your overall well-being.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of these strategies to help—particularly if you’re confronted with your neurodiverse identity in adulthood—and discuss how they can help you to accept and love yourself for who you are.
Before you begin, remember that our professionals are always here to help
Confronting neurodiversity stigma around and within yourself
When we’re addressing stigma, it’s important (but often difficult) to face it head-on. To be neurodiverse doesn’t actually mean a single stereotypical thing—instead, the term is used to describe the variety of neurological differences that exist among human beings.
Neurodivergent people experience the world around and within them in a different way than the ‘neurotypical’ majority. This different way of experiencing thinking, life, and relationships can lead to feeling alienated or lonely as well as feeling as though you’re being judged by those around you.
Unfortunately, the stigma around neurodiversity in adulthood is pervasive and can be difficult to confront. Many neurodivergent individuals, particularly those diagnosed in adulthood, struggle with internalized stigma and feelings of inadequacy. This can lead to your mental health being challenged against these feelings, creating more sources of pain.
Despite this, It’s important to recognize that the way you experience the world isn’t something to be solved. Neurodiversity is not a disorder or condition that needs to be ‘fixed’. Instead, your worldview is a valid and vital part of the human experience and it is essential that we find ways to accept and celebrate neurodiverse identities and perspectives. It’s important to recognize that everyone is unique and that our differences should be celebrated; not shamed.
Neurodiversity and Mental Health: Understanding the Impact
Instances of depression, anxiety, and other mental health struggles are higher in neurodivergent populations than in neurotypicals.
No one can say for certain whether the neurodivergency is a contributing factor to these co-occurring conditions, or if it’s the impact of the stigma we were discussing above. Either way, it’s a pretty frustrating and isolating experience. Having a therapist who understands neurodivergency and is able to learn your needs and experiences can be a game-changer in managing this.
It’s important to recognize the unique challenges that neurodivergent individuals face when it comes to mental health. It’s also important to understand that mental health issues can be managed and treated through appropriate care and support.
Through supportive systems, self-acceptance, and accessibility accommodations, it’s possible to create an environment where neurodivergent individuals feel accepted and validated, and where they can access the mental health care they need.
Recognizing Our Place in the intersectional Movement
Neurodiversity is just one of many identities that intersect to form our individual experiences. In particular, neurodivergent women feel the challenges that may alter their lived experience.
Alongside these challenges, neurodivergent people of every sex, gender, race and class have incredible strength and skills they bring to any situation. But those strengths do not mitigate the barriers that neurodivergent people who are marginalized in multiple ways may face.
Intersectionality is a critical conversation point when it comes to understanding and accepting neurodiversity. We must strive to create an inclusive environment where neurodivergent individuals feel safe, accepted, and validated. Doing so starts by accepting yourself where you are and starting conversations with those you trust about how you exist and experience the world.
Tips for Self-Acceptance and making peace with yourself
We don’t just want to shout at you from the rooftops (do blogs have rooftops?) about accepting yourself. Instead, here are a few places you can begin to think about where you can find kindness in your own mind. Acceptance begins with softness—so where can you soften in these spaces to help you feel more comfortable in your own skin?
1. Practice self-compassion. This one can be really difficult but it’s also such a power move in drowning out that gnawing feeling that you can’t get things right. Instead, practice comforting yourself instead of berating yourself.
2. Celebrate your successes however you like to. Recognize that your ways of celebrating and feeling joy are valid and then sprinkle them liberally through your life whenever something goes well.
3. Connect with other neurodivergent women. Finding support among others who have also experienced the world from their own unique neurodiverse perspective is a great way to find support and acceptance.
4. Accept your limitations. Know your skills and your stopping points so that you can focus on nurturing your happy moments and managing the risks in life. Let those limitations become boundaries and empower yourself within them to be the best you can be at any moment.
5. Challenge negative self-talk. It’s important to be aware of your thoughts and to challenge any negative self-talk. This follows on from the compassion thing but can be a lot more confrontational. Think about what makes you feel good and loved—then defend it whenever your mind is cutting it down.
Self-Care for Neurodiverse Women: Simple Strategies for Well-Being
Being a neurodiverse woman can be a challenging experience, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When you recognize the stigma around neurodiversity and seek to understand the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, you can begin to break down barriers in your own life and the lives of others.
Inclusion—in your own life and the intersectional and incredible communities that surround you—is at its best when we recognize our own power and move from within it.
By utilizing the strategies outlined above, you can practice self-care and learn to accept and love yourself for who you are.
Remember to take it slow and be gentle with yourself. Self-love is a process and doesn’t happen overnight.
With patience and dedication (and a little help from us if you want it), you can create a life of well-being and contentment.
