Do you think you're neurotypical?

[Whyx]

Quick search didn't show this had been asked before which surprised me.

A lot of neurodivergent (ND) stuff on social media these days. Got me thinking I am definitely ND maybe ADHD. I always think "surely everyone is like that though???" I struggle to comprehend how anyone could think of do things differently to me.

So Mumsnet - do you think you are neurotypical or neurodiverse?

Yabu - neurotypical

Yanbu - neurodiverse

So what I mean by this is I would see a meme or video that talks about an aspect of ADHD and I would think. Oh...that's me...is that not normal?! This has led to me consuming more of this content and still thinking ...is that not what everyone does???

A video might be about - not knowing where to start with a seemingly simple task such as doing the laundry. Or even organising a series of tasks such as getting the laundry done, tidying toys, ordering groceries. In the video the person talks about paralysis - Unable to start any of the task because you simple can't fathom what to do first. Complete lack of ability to prioritise effectively and work through the taks from start to finish without getting distracted and stopping completely. Often a coping mechanism would be to disengage by doom scrolling on your phone.

Interesting question - I don’t know. The traits I have that make me think I could possibly be ND are more than minor and are actually quite marked. Some have caused me quite a bit of grief. But I don’t feel that life is as difficult for me because of these traits as many diagnosed ND people describe.

I also do have diagnosed anxiety and OCD which accounts for a lot.

I wouldn’t be surprised either way, I guess.

I e stumbled across the content due to it being more popular online at the moment, the algorithm increasing what it shows me of this content and friends also sharing it.

I am very aware that SM probably plays a huge roll here... For better or worse...

Those of posters who say that they thought all their lives they were NT but recently had diagnosis etc. what made you want a diagnosis in your adulthood?

ND, diagnosed post diagnosis of DC - when I saw that the assessment process wasn’t awful, that DC quality of life greatly improved, and realised that my rights and protection against discrimination without diagnosis was nil….

Would advise anyone who’s telling themselves they don’t need diagnosis because it will change them or make them bad at their job or whatever else, to go for it. You deserve recognition, access to support when you need it, protection and to understand your needs better. Honestly, you’ll be the same person nothing in that regard changes but it’s a weight off.

Said this before but I think there will be loads of ND on MN as it’s online, no face to face stress. And generally everyone is mega opinionated so being blunt or socially abrasive doesn’t really stick out - power for the course here 😝

@Whyx

Are you trying to say you think sm is wrongly influencing people to think they are ND?

Admittedly I am undiagnosed, but I strongly suspect that I am ND and have done for quite some time. Since becoming a mum, I feel that my NDiversity has become increasingly obvious as I struggle so much with noise and overstimulation, sensory issues and other more specific issues that I can’t avoid being a parent but I also can’t reset myself with my old coping mechanisms and stims anymore which makes things so much harder.

I have heavily masked my entire life (it’s exhausting) and have lived with quiet shame at my inability to balance emotions, accept change and move on like other people, as everything affects me so deeply and other people seem to be unaffected by little things that would throw me into a panic.

I'm not sure really.

I realised I had referred to it a lot and I'm not really sure what that could mean.

I think that in the same way people used to say "I'm a bit OCD" when talking of being tidy it might make people more inclined to call themselves neurodiverse based on agreeing with just a couple of examples when otherwise they behave neurotypically just because it's the trendy thing to do.

I also meant that social media plays a role in my inability to get my laundry done 🙈 that dopamine rush is just too tempting!

I'm 100% ND. ASD with a hint of Demand Avoidance.

@Respberrypachouli
Healing mostly, I went through horrendous experiences struggling academically, bullying, multiple assaults it was just dire. I was put down by adults because I couldn’t coordinate myself with sport, couldn’t process quickly, the list is very long!! Generally I wanted confirmation for why I had been through so many painful experiences. Why I couldn’t understand theory of mind, or perceive danger, all these things.

When one of DC was just like me, I realised there was no need to “hide away” and keep it all hidden anymore, as DC is wonderful.

I feel no fear for DC as I know every pitfall and I am fighting to protect all the way. But deep sense of grief for myself that I never had any recognition or support growing up especially.

Meant to quote you in my reply above

Neurodiverce here, diagnosed autistic and bipolar along with other comorbidities. All 4 of my children are neurodiverce and now 1 of my 3 grandchildren are.

Anyone that struggles with organisation these days seems to declare themselves ADHD, maybe they’re just shit and a bit lazy. If you genuinely think you’re ND, get a diagnoses and treatment.

I definitely think I have ADHD. I didn't know much about how girls/women present with
ADHD and the more I've learned the more I'm sure it's me. The doctor we saw for ds1's autism diagnosis suggested I may be autistic too.

It’s interesting that 69% (or thereabouts) think they are ND.

It makes me think that a large number of people have self diagnosed based on not very much at all.

OP what you're describing sounds like executive disfunction. People with ADHD nearly always struggle with executive disfunction, but there are many reasons other than ADHD as to why you might struggle. Ie ADHD is certainly a possibility, but not the only possibility.

Realised recently that I fit more into ND than NT. screening questionnaires suggest ADHD but I don’t think my life is impacted enough to meet diagnosis criteria. also there are some ASC traits but again generally function ok.

Definitely think functional ND is under recognised and we are just beginning to understand the prevalence. Will the term neurodiverse mean anything if it’s realised that 50% of the population fits that criteria? I’m curious as to where a greater understanding will lead us.

What if those who think they are actually received a diagnosis?

I'm just me. I am neurotypical but that doesn't mean I don't struggle with some things. I don't really like people, I get overwhelmed with too much stimulus and I'm dyslexic (diagnosed) but I can see reasons for any struggles and ways to deal with them. I can see other people's points of view and where they're coming from. I don't get overwhelmed by anything to the point that I can't function. I think this is pretty average for the majority of people.

Def NT but I have some autistic traits which probably come from anxiety rather than neurodiversity.
My adult DCs show a lot more ND traits but are undiagnosed thus far.

I have an autistic son and husband potentially ADHD, I firmly think I'm neurotypical, have no indicators for any ND

69% of people who click on a thread about ND are ND. Who'd have thought it?

Neurotypical. I've been a teacher for 27 years and have a lot of experience working with ND students, so I'm pretty good (by non-expert standards) at noticing traits.

I struggle to comprehend how anyone could think of do things differently to me.

Everyone does things differently from each other though. That's pretty obvious just from talking to and interacting with people in daily life.

Lol true. Though I still think 69% is exceptionally high and I still think a large number of people currently self diagnose.

It depends a bit on whose definition of neurodiverse you use.

Ongoing childhood stress and trauma certainly changes brain structure, there are studies showing this. It often causes executive functioning issues. Some of the symptoms of complex PTSD overlap massively with ADHD. In terms of my brain and the effects on my life I am neurodiverse, but it may not be genetic, and the symptoms may improve in response to trauma therapy.