Accepting My Neurodiversity

 Neurodiversity - being Neurodivergent

A life of being atypical...

different from mainstream society.

I am still in the Discovery phase.

-- Should I even be writing about it?

For me, this looks like:

* HSP: Highly Sensitive Person (common name) or Sensory Processing Sensitivity (medical name, and different from Sensory Processing Disorder, which is an emotional regulation disorder). You can look into the work of Dr. Elaine Aron (and others) for specifics regarding this Genetic Condition (like eye color) which is found in 15-20% of humans (plus more than 100 species of animals). HSP relates to how the brain processes information and can sometimes be misdiagnosed as BPD, ADHD, and/or other Spectrum disorders.

* ADHD (mild): undiagnosed professionally yet strongly suspected. Looking at female symptoms/criteria, the indicators are there.

* CPTSD: undiagnosed professionally (as a whole), yet I HAVE been professionally diagnosed with Anxiety and Depression (both common with CPTSD) and I have had a life history which would make me prone to developing it.

*PTSD: relating to various incidents in my history (also undiagnosed professionally).

-- Having an understanding - a awareness - allows for there to be explanations regarding my 'differentness', and provides an answer to my questions regarding "Why do I need to ___ in order to ___?" and "Why is ___ so difficult for me?"... in addition to other questions. 

-- Having possible labels and diagnosis (to align with symptoms) stops the self-doubts and self-berating which can accompany specific symptoms at certain times [hello, Inner Critic]. 

-- Having labels/diagnosis allows for the implementation of specific Coping or Grounding or Regulating skills and techniques whenever I become Triggered or Overwhelmed by certain stimuli. It allows me to be on the lookout and to take a Preventative approach to Living my Life, including Proactively adapting my Environment at Home and adapting my Daily and Weekly schedule to minimize or prevent Overstimulation to my system. 

You know, it's ok.

I am a neurodivergent person.

-- I am not flawed.

-- I am not broken.

-- I am not bad or unacceptable or unlovable. 

I am just - different.

RLR