Neurodivergence & Depression
Part 2 of a series concerning a serious and poorly publicized mental health issue.
In part 1 of this series we wrote about Neurodivergents and their heightened vulnerability to depression, anxiety and suicide. In part 2 we explore a bit more about this important part of being ‘different,’ and discuss what some experts have to say about navigating those differences while flooded with triggers. Let’s look at details of this important issue.
Recognition
Intervention
Since we began our own exploration of the value of differences, we’ve learned so much about Neuro differences it’s difficult to decide which aspect to begin to address. The more we learn, the more there is to learn about Neurodivergent traits such as Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, OCD, and Tourettes syndrome. The topic is emerging. We’re not the only ones learning more. Fortunately, the topic is gaining more focus, and better understanding all the time.
For the purposes of this essay, we focus on two conditions: ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Any discussion of these traits lends itself to a study of depression and suicidality, so first we must recognize when someone is most susceptible. Recognition demands awareness, of course, and since we are not certificated in this discipline, we can only write what we know, and write in a way that encourages criticism and correction. The study of Neurodivergence is a fascinating, new, and highly diverse field. So we address what we know about Neurodivergent individuals and their susceptibility to depression and its burden.
Recognizing a person’s intention to self-harm would seem to be fairly straightforward. The media often depict overt behaviors that show sad caricatures of depressed people with dark, ominous surroundings. However, the onset of depression can be so gradual, and so subtle, that even experts miss its presence and peril. Many of us know of someone whose completed suicide shocked and surprised us. Here’s what we’ve found in our research.
There is such a thing as a depression cycle, and it appears to be self-perpetuating. There are several reasons for this: The subject’s mood may be typically low already, being masked, a skill many Neurodivergent individuals master; they may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or other environmental stressors; or they may simply have a neural chemical imbalance, such as in neurotransmitters. The lower mood and other depressive causes become self-perpetuating, and over time can become a black hole. This is from the website of Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: (CHADD) .
For some people, depression and ADHD just happen to coexist, but for others depression is a result of ADHD, with low self-esteem and a poor self-image caused by ongoing feelings of being overwhelmed by life due to ADHD symptoms.
When I (Mariah) feel myself getting overwhelmed, I’ve learned that expressing this feeling to Byron, knowing he provides safety, helps me overcome these feelings. Finding someone you trust as a safe harbor can be a real lifeline. Byron’s listening skills, with no judgment ever, have become a critical part of my success.
Let’s move on to intervention. As we said, we’re not experts, but as a Neurodivergent/Neurotypical couple this study is critically important to our daily interactions with each other. Just so, in any loving, caring relationship, being aware of differences can only enhance that interaction, so they’re well worth studying.
If you become aware of a developing crisis with a Neurodivergent person, here’s what the experts seem to agree on. We’ll start with the most important piece of information: If they appear suicidal, or mention harming themselves, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline. The experts in this area also refer to so-called Non Suicidal Self Injury, NSSI, such as cutting, or other self-harm behaviors which may or may not be warning signs. Therapists believe that any intervention may make the situation worse. Hospitalization, for example, can rob the individual of agency, exposing them to more depression due to the frenetic, harshly lit, loud and impersonal clinical environment that may be a nightmare for an overly sensitive person. At her resource-rich website, Neurodivergent Insights: Dr. Megan Anna Neff writes:
It's important to consider sensory needs when developing a treatment plan for ADHD and OCD. Some ADHDers are particularly sensitive to sensory input, which can exacerbate anxiety and OCD symptoms.
Methods that clearly won’t work are subtle shaming, demands to ‘snap out of it,’ reminders of why they should be happier and more grateful, any form of punishment, or efforts to talk the person out of it. Interventions beyond the scope of this essay include antidepressant medications such as SSRIs, Stimulants such as Ritalin or Concerta, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD. A novel non-chemical therapy for certain children with ADHD, or those on the Autism spectrum, is weighted vests. These vests are a relatively new treatment modality that, due to their placement and pressure bring some patients a sense of safety, like a heavy blanket on a cold winter night.
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Next week in part 3 we discuss alleviation measures for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidality in Neurodivergent individuals, and the importance of monitoring these individuals, and responding to their ongoing safety and well being. Please Subscribe to our Substack, and receive valuable information in your email every Monday.
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Information on this site, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material is for informational purposes only. No material on this site is meant to be a substitute for professional mental health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a mental health care professional for questions you may have concerning mental health care and treatment. Never disregard professional mental health care treatment or advice based on information read at this site.
Mayo Clinic SAD: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651
CHADD: https://chadd.org/adhd
The 988 hotline: https://988lifeline.org/
Dr. Megan Anna Neff: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/adhd-infographics/adhd-and-ocd
Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11766-adhd-medication
CBT Therapy: https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/cbt-for-adhd
ERP therapy: https://www.treatmyocd.com/what-is-ocd/what-is-erp