Divergent Mind
Jenara Nerenberg
19 min
7 Key Points
4.6 RateWhat's inside?
Explore the unique strengths and abilities of individuals with neurodiverse brains and learn how to thrive in a world that isn't designed for them.
You'll learn
1. Getting your head around neurodiversity2. Tips for surviving as a super sensitive soul3. Dealing with a world that doesn't get you4. Handling sensory overload like a pro5. Why self-care and mental health matter for unique minds6. Using your special skills to win at life.Key points
01We all think differently
Let's think about our brains as navigators in a dense forest. Some of us have a compass, some have a map, and others have neither. We're all trying to get to the other side, but the tools and strategies we use are different. This is a pretty good way to understand how our brains work. We're all trying to make sense of the world, but the way our brains are wired can be very different. For instance, some people's brains are super sensitive to things like light, sound, or touch. This is often the case for people with sensory processing disorder (SPD). Others might find it hard to focus or pay attention, like those with ADHD. Now, imagine being a woman or a girl with one of these conditions. Often, they feel like they have to hide their symptoms and act like everyone else to fit in. This is called 'masking'. From the outside, they might seem just fine, but on the inside, they're dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety. The key message here is that it's important to be true to yourself. If you're one of these individuals, don't try to fit into a mold that society has created. Embrace your unique brain wiring. This isn't just about personal happiness, but also about challenging societal norms and increasing understanding of these conditions. Let's talk about sensitivity. In this context, it means being extra responsive to things around you. This could be physical things like light or sound, or emotional things like other people's feelings. There are four types of these conditions that are linked to sensitivity: Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), ADHD, SPD, and autism. It's important to understand these different conditions because they often overlap. For example, someone with ADHD might also have symptoms of SPD, or someone with autism might also be highly sensitive. By understanding these overlaps and the unique experiences of each condition, we can better support these individuals and help them thrive in a world that wasn't necessarily designed for them. In a nutshell, our brains are diverse and unique. People with these conditions face unique challenges, but also have unique strengths. It's important to understand, accept, and support these individuals, especially women and girls, who often feel like they have to hide their true selves to fit in.
02We've learned a lot about mental health recently
Let's take a trip down memory lane, back to a time when mental health was a misunderstood concept, especially when it came to women. Picture this: women were seen as stress-free beings, which meant their mental health was often overlooked. This led to many women silently battling conditions like depression, often triggered by emotional abuse. This was particularly true for neurodivergent women, those whose brains function a bit differently from what society deems 'normal'. Their experiences were often misinterpreted and poorly explained by the medical community, leading to a bunch of misguided assumptions. Take the 1930s, for example. Back then, people with mental health issues were often labeled as 'insane'. Society even went as far as to pass laws preventing them from marrying, based on the baseless fear that they would produce 'insane' children. Fast forward to the 1980s, and the medical community believed that hysteria was a condition exclusive to single women or those who had suffered sexual abuse. But in reality, their hysteria was often a result of stress in their emotional lives, not just their marital status or history of abuse. But then came a turning point. Thanks to advanced technology and the growth of psychology and psychiatry, scientists started to see mental health conditions as real medical issues. This was the start of a new era in mental health diagnosis and treatment. This progress in understanding human behavior and the brain led to the identification of various mental health conditions. For instance, in the 1980s, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder became recognized medical conditions. The diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children saw a significant increase in 2000. By 2005, doctors were prescribing antipsychotic drugs to improve children's mental health, a practice that continues today. To show just how far we've come, consider this: in the 18th century, British doctors believed that menstruation in women was the cause of mental instability. Today, we know that this is a gross misunderstanding of both menstruation and mental health. So, in a nutshell, the study of mental health and human behavior has come a long way, especially in the 21st century. This progress has led to a better understanding and treatment of mental health conditions, ultimately improving the lives of those affected.
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03Sensitive people can feel down when they try to fit in
04ADHD symptoms can be managed in the right setting
05People with autism and SPD can struggle with learning
06Neurodivergent people are highly influenced by their surroundings
07Conclusion
About Jenara Nerenberg
Jenara Nerenberg is an author, journalist, and speaker specializing in neuroscience, innovation, sensitivity, leadership, and diversity. She is a graduate of the Harvard School of Public Health and UC Berkeley. Nerenberg is also the founder of The Neurodiversity Project and has been a foreign correspondent in Asia and South America.
