Managing and thriving with neurodivergence and mental ill health

High school was a struggle… the noisy classrooms, the social expectations, the endless demands. When I first started skipping school and flunking out of class it was put down to my early diagnosis of bipolar at 14 and the trauma I had experienced from a young age.

My undergraduate degree was similar, and I found it really difficult to be in class; the noise, the social expectations, the endless demands. 

It wasn’t until I started learning about the lived experience of autism that I started to explore whether that’s what was going on for me too. I related a lot to most aspects, but particularly sensory difficulties, the need for routine and having difficulty knowing what to do in social situations. 

After years of unsuccessful therapy, I took myself to a new psychologist. This time to do a comprehensive assessment. I learnt that while I do have bipolar and complex post-traumatic stress disorder, I also have autism and ADHD. 

I learnt about how I was overstimulated in the classroom, I learnt about how high-masking I had been and how much social interaction took out of me, and I learnt about executive functioning and how trying to manage the endless demands were impacted by my neurodivergence. 

I’ve since started seeing a neuro-affirming psychologist and started to learn ways to work with my neurodivergence and complex mental health challenges together. I’m now a lot more gentle on myself because I understand that my brain is not neurotypical, and that it’s okay for me to require accommodations in my life. 

I’ve now completed two postgraduate degrees which I have done online to avoid the classroom setting. I work a full-time job that’s been able to make accommodations like putting my desk in a quiet corner and having dimmer switches above me so I’m less overstimulated. 

In my personal life, I have a set routine for myself which helps keeps things semi-predictable.

I don’t eat foods with weird textures or strong tastes and the people around me have an idea of what my ‘safe’ foods are. I wear clothing that is comfortable for me. I plan my social outings in advance so I can prepare, and I give myself recovery time if I’m going to be in an overstimulating activity or somewhere that requires a large amount of masking.

Importantly, I’ve found friends that I can unmask with and just be myself, friends that understand and support my neurodivergence and complex mental health and allow me to show up as I am on the day. 

Juggling neurodivergence and complex mental health challenges can be tricky. I’ve learnt that if I don’t take care of my neurodivergence then my mental health can become worse.

It’s sometimes treading a fine line between what’s helpful and harmful, but the more I learn about myself, the easier it becomes to take care of myself. The more I take care of myself, the more I thrive. 

Meg

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SANE provides a range of free telephone and online support services for people over 18 years of age with complex mental health needs and their family, friends and carers. We offer different types and levels of support so you can find what works for you. Choose from counselling, peer support, online groups and events, 24/7 community forums, and online information and resources. Learn more at sane.org/get-support.