How we become more ADHD and or Autistic as our Trauma heals

Originally posted on 20th July 2024 on NeuroDiversity University Blog FaceBook page.

Trauma Geek - Trauma and Neurodiversity Education  writes about how we become more ADHD and or Autistic as our Trauma heals.

In an Autistic Research group I am part of, I answered a question about this.

My view (as an Audhd Therapist with all Audhd Clients) is that awareness and my meds allows some Trauma to lift, and as such my nervous system calms.

This leads to my Authentic self and less Masking. Being Authentic means more of ME. Me is ADHD and Autistic aka freedom based Monotropic, less shame and more Autonomy.

The issue for me was never that my Authentic Self i.e. ADHD and Autism, were bad but that Society rejected me (and my nervous system knew that thus Masking).

So the shame and Masking and Rejection Sensitivity and Imposter Syndrome dropped and now I and my nervous system gives less/no f#cks.

Also. Trauma reduction (subconscious suppressing self, past and real time) means I am now reconnecting with my physical body so my body now feels it's monotropic responses to sensory overwhelm and I'm discovering my senses (8 plus) for the first time, consciously.

Trauma equals numbing my awareness of the pain (to protect me).

I also think my potential chronic fatigue is the result of my body's 54 years-worth of silent subconscious pain being now experienced/released.

As a side note, my RSD (Rejection sensitivity) and Imposter Syndrome, were ACTUAL Rejection (from society) and being an actual Imposter (historical high Masker aka being inauthentically NT).

I write about some of this stuff in my own blog. I'm not an Academic writer but I AM an Academic thinker.

Academic Trauma is big for me (bullied throughout primary and secondary school) and Exec Function differences means standardised assessment methods don't capture my knowledge, hence grades are/were low/bad.

This lead to low self belief and an embarrassment /shut down of my thinking and then suppression of my awesome power/force/energy that makes me now 'more' awesomely monotropic.

Now I can flourish and thrive, or rather, I am starting to.

Put bluntly, Trauma/Masking hid my monotropism.

For info, I'm taking some time off work as I recognise that my Physical Health is currently compromised and I can't give to my Clients what I don't have.

I'm ok ish, I'm just giving my body the respect it's due.

It's important I model good self care to my Clients even though this comes at a cost to them, also a financial loss for me.

I have Privileges though. I don't mean wealth in a Western capitalist sense. I mean that I live frugally and wisely thanks to the monotropic joy I get from ordering and monitoring money.

I love finding free spots to camp out. I love enjoying the beauty of nature. I love recycled Art.

Yes I also get glimmers from grabbing a bargain and beating the system. I thrive when I save money. This allows me to manage with a small amount of time off.

This also allows me to offer reduced concession fees where needed. I am a justiced socialist creature at heart. It matters to me that finance doesn't stop someone coming to Therapy. It does though and that bothers me.

But I am very transparent about having Privileges. Not everyone can offer themselves the luxury of having some breathing space during times of poor health.

I'll be quiet on my PsychoEducation Page but I will be back.

To my Clients (who have all been updated), thank you for your patience and compassion. I am sorry this impacts you, but I'm also not so egotistical that I think my absence is such a big deal to you. However I also know that unexpected changes are (understandably) jarring.

I also know I will miss my interactions with you all for the next few weeks. Oh how I wish I could collect Clients as friends because dang, you are beautiful Souls.

Boundaries are right and ethical and strong though so instead of being friends, we remain as we are.

Gosh this is a long one even by my standards  laughing emoji.

Originally posted on 20th July 2024 on NeuroDiversity University Blog FaceBook page.

Pic description: view of a sunset field. Evening light, dark green grass in forefront, trucks and vans lined up, some with flags, in shadowy darkness, behind and above is an orange and blue swirly sky with fluffy white clouds.