If you’re neurodivergent (autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, dyspraxic, Tourette’s, or otherwise wired a little differently), you’re not “too much” or “too sensitive”—you’re wonderfully you. And yet, many neurodiverse people experience more anxiety, low mood, burnout, and overwhelm than their neurotypical peers. That isn’t a personal failing; it’s what happens when a brain with different needs must navigate a world designed for someone else.
Let’s unpack why that gap exists—and how the right therapy can make life feel lighter, calmer, and more you.
Why are mental health challenges more common in neurodivergent people?
1) Masking and camouflaging are exhausting.
Many neurodivergent people learn to “mask”—copying social behaviours, suppressing stims, forcing eye contact—to fit in. It can delay diagnosis and support, and it’s strongly linked with anxiety, depression and burnout. The British Psychological Society has highlighted how masking hinders timely help and the importance of creating spaces where people don’t have to hide. British Psychological Society+2British Psychological Society+2
2) Sensory overload fuels anxiety and low mood.
Bright lights, noise, textures, crowds—sensory systems can fire on “maximum,” which raises baseline stress and is associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms in autistic people across ages. PMC+2PMC+2
3) Executive function load is higher.
For many with neurodivergent people, ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia and many more; planning, prioritising, time-management and working memory take extra energy. Adult ADHD commonly co-occurs with depression and anxiety; large reviews in BMJ Mental Health and BMJ Open underline the high rates of comorbidity. mentalhealth.bmj.com+2BMJ Open+2
4) Late or missed diagnosis compounds distress.
When needs aren’t recognised—especially for girls, women and gender-diverse people—years of “why is everything so hard?” can amplify anxiety, low mood and self-doubt. BMJ and peer-reviewed studies describe the mental-health load of late recognition. BMJ+2PMC+2
5) Increased suicide risk demands better support.
Multiple studies show markedly elevated suicidality in autistic adults compared with the general population, highlighting an urgent need for tailored prevention and care. PubMed+2The Lancet+2
6) It’s not “just the brain”—it’s the environment.
A lot of pain isn’t from neurodivergence itself, but from misfit: inaccessible systems, social stigma, and relentless adaptation pressure. BMJ Best Practice emphasises minimising distress and maximising quality of life through supportive environments—not forcing people to “act neurotypical.” BMJ Best Practice
How therapy can actually help (without trying to change who you are)
Therapy should be ND-affirming, practical, and collaborative. The goal isn’t to “fix” you; it’s to reduce distress, expand choices, and make life workable on your terms.
1) Sensory-aware support.
We map your sensory profile and design everyday tweaks (lighting, sound, fabrics, movement breaks) that shrink overwhelm and stabilise mood and energy. This aligns with evidence linking sensory differences to anxiety and depression—so we treat the input, not just the feelings. PMC+1
2) Burnout and masking recovery.
If you’ve been masking for years, we build a gentle “unmasking” plan: safer spaces, scripts to say no, micro-rests, and identity-affirming practices. BPS pieces emphasise reducing the need to mask by changing contexts—not just the person. British Psychological Society+1
3) Executive-function scaffolding.
We co-create systems that work with your brain: externalise memory (visual boards, reminders), reduce choice overload, stack routines, and use time anchors. Given the high ADHD–anxiety/depression overlap, addressing Executive Functioning friction often lifts mood. mentalhealth.bmj.com+1
4) Trauma-informed, compassionate care.
Many ND clients have experienced invalidation, bullying or medical gaslighting. Therapy offers a validating space to process this, rebuild self-trust, and develop boundaries that protect your energy. This also helps reduce burnout risk.
5) Skills for body–mind regulation.
Grounding, pacing, interoception training, and (where helpful) adapted CBT/ACT—delivered in ND-friendly formats (visuals, plain language, shorter sessions, breaks). Evidence-based approaches work best when adapted to sensory and processing needs. BMJ Best Practice
6) Relationship & work advocacy.
We can rehearse disclosure conversations, design reasonable adjustments, and create “user manuals” that help partners, families, and employers support you better. The aim: fit the environment to the person, not the person to the environment. BMJ Best Practice
What working with me looks like
- Zero judgement, plenty of warmth. Come exactly as you are—stims, tangents, info-dumps welcome.
- Simple, visual, and flexible. Notes you can actually use. Sessions that respect energy levels.
- Real-life changes. From sensory tweaks and burnout recovery to executive-function scaffolding and relationship scripts.
- Integrated care. If helpful, I can liaise (with your consent) with employers, or your GP to align support with your goals.
Whether you’re newly exploring neurodiversity or you’ve known for years, therapy can be a soft place to land and a springboard forward.
If you’d like a chat about what might help, you can book a no-pressure consultation—let’s make life gentler and more doable, together.
Key sources (plain-English highlights)
- Masking/camouflaging & mental health: BPS coverage of masking and its costs; systematic and narrative reviews on camouflaging and its links to distress. British Psychological Society+2British Psychological Society+2
- Sensory differences & anxiety/depression: Reviews and studies linking sensory hyper-reactivity with anxiety and low mood. PMC+2PMC+2
- ADHD & comorbidity: BMJ Mental Health/BMJ Open: high co-occurrence of ADHD with depression/anxiety in adults. mentalhealth.bmj.com+2BMJ Open+2
- Late diagnosis & distress: BMJ article and peer-reviewed studies on mental-health burden when autism is recognised later. BMJ+2PMC+2
- Elevated suicidality in autism: Landmark studies in Lancet Psychiatry, JAMA Network Open, and related research. The Lancet+2JAMA Network+2
- Care principles: BMJ Best Practice guidance emphasising support to minimise distress and enhance quality of life. BMJ Best Practice