Both mental health and neurodiversity are concepts that have been receiving a large amount of attention in the news recently. But how are they related, and what is the difference between the two?
Let’s start with mental health. The concept of mental health is one that pretty much everyone is familiar with these days. Typically including a person’s psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing, it shapes the way an individual thinks, feels, behaves, and interacts with others. When a person’s mental health is less than stellar, it can make it difficult to function at home, work, school, or in the community.
While there are more than 200 types of mental health disorders, anxiety and depression are some of the most common diagnoses, varying in their presentation from mild to severe. Other conditions may include chronic psychiatric disabilities such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or substance use disorders.
Neurodiversity, on the other hand, is not a mental health condition. Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist, first coined the term in the 1990s by describing the natural difference in the way our brains work. Singer captured the idea that all individuals work, think, and communicate differently. She explains that as biodiversity is essential to the stability of an ecosystem, neurodiversity is essential for cultural evolution.
The term neurodiversity includes individuals whose cognitive functions vary from what is considered “neurotypical.” Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other neurological differences are referred to as neurodivergent individuals. Research shows that around 10–20% of the population is considered to be neurodivergent.
Where Neurodiversity and Mental Health Meet
Now that we’ve established each subject, here’s how they relate to each other.
Neurodevelopmental conditions influence the brain's development and affect how the brain functions. These conditions show up early in a child's life and can range from mild impairments to severe deficits. At the same time, there is growing evidence of greater rates of mental health conditions occurring in the neurodivergent community. The latest research published by The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry shows that individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD and ASD, show higher rates of mental health concerns. The most common condition experienced is depression, especially with young neurodivergent people, and associated risks increase with age if their condition is not diagnosed or treated.
The higher risk of mental illness within neurodivergent individuals is typically associated with “masking” behaviors natural to their neuro-differences that allow them to conform to neuro-majority social culture as well as the limited resources for support.
Masking is a term that refers to certain camouflaging behaviors that a neurodivergent person may train themselves to engage in so that they are more socially accepted. According to the latest research, this can be considered a response to stigma and trauma (Pearson and Rose, 2021).
Examples of masking may include:
Forcing oneself to maintain eye contact or using certain facial gestures while conversing
Suppressing stimming behavior
Not sharing personal interests
Not expressing sensory discomfort
Rehearsing conversations
The fear and pressure to hide one’s true and authentic behaviors is one of many factors that neurodivergent people face which can lead to depression and social anxiety. Research suggests that up to 73% of neurodivergent individuals hide their condition because they fear discrimination at work. There is significant stigma within our social cultures against accepting behaviors and thinking patterns that are different from the “neuro-majority.” This stigma and fear can often lead to a resistance against seeking help, as well as not being able to access the right level of support.
An increased awareness and acceptance of the authentic ways that we all think and behave can help to reduce the difficulties associated with mental illness and lead to more personal wellbeing.
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