The Invisible Weight: Why Neurodivergent People are More Vulnerable to Trauma

NeurodiversityADHD & Executive FunctionTrauma & HealingInterpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB)BrainspottingProfessional Supervision
Written By Susan Powell

👋 Welcome back to the NeuroHaven Therapies blog!

In our first post, we introduced our commitment to Neuro-Focused, Trauma-Informed Counselling. Today, we’re diving deeper into a crucial topic: the significant overlap and heightened vulnerability to trauma experiences faced by the neurodivergent community, particularly those with Autism and ADHD.

This isn't about blaming the brain; it's about understanding the environment and creating a more compassionate path toward healing.

Why the Link Exists: The Three Key Vulnerabilities

It’s an unfortunate reality that neurodivergent individuals—due to differences in processing, communication, and sensory regulation—are statistically more likely to experience trauma, including PTSD and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). Here’s why:

1. Chronic Misunderstanding and 'Minor' Trauma (The Stress of Masking)

For many neurodivergent people, life is spent navigating a world that doesn't understand them. This often leads to "masking," or suppressing natural behaviours to fit in. This constant effort and the resulting rejections, invalidations, and misunderstandings act as chronic, low-level trauma.

  • Invalidation: Being told "you're too sensitive" or "just try harder" dismisses genuine struggles with sensory input or executive function. This gaslighting of one’s reality erodes self-trust, a key factor in developmental trauma.

  • Burnout: The effort of masking leads to intense mental and physical exhaustion, depleting the body's resources needed to cope with stress or handle sudden traumatic events.

2. Sensory Overwhelm and Nervous System Dysregulation

Neurodivergence often comes with a different sensory profile (hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity). When sensory systems are constantly overwhelmed (e.g., bright lights, loud noises, itchy clothes), the nervous system lives in a heightened state of alert.

  • Heightened State of Alert (Dr. Bruce Perry): A nervous system already operating near its stress threshold has less capacity to cope with a sudden threat. Dr. Bruce Perry's work on the brain highlights that when a person is in a persistent state of hyperarousal, their brain functions are compromised. An event that might be merely stressful for a neurotypical person can push a neurodivergent person into a traumatic state, making them more susceptible to developing PTSD symptoms. This concept aligns strongly with the work on the autonomic nervous system and regulation by experts like Dr. Stephen Porges (Polyvagal Theory).

3. Communication Challenges and Increased Victimisation Risk

Differences in social communication, literal interpretation, and struggles with reading complex social cues can unfortunately make neurodivergent people targets for manipulation, bullying, or abuse.

  • Boundary Setting: Difficulty with understanding unspoken social rules can translate into struggles establishing and defending personal boundaries, increasing the risk of exploitation.

  • Reporting Difficulties: Processing and articulating traumatic events can be challenging, often leading to dismissal by authorities or difficulty receiving appropriate support, which itself can be re-traumatising.

Our Trauma-Informed Response

At NeuroHaven Therapies in East Brisbane, we recognise that healing from trauma in a neurodivergent brain requires a specialised approach. We don't see your neurotype as a flaw, but as a critical factor in your treatment.

Our Neuro-Focused, Trauma-Informed Counselling ensures that:

  • Safety is Foundational: We explicitly address sensory needs and communication preferences to create a truly safe and predictable environment.

  • Regulation Comes First: We focus on gentle, brain-based therapy techniques to help regulate the nervous system before processing traumatic memories, respecting your pace and capacity. Modalities like Brainspotting, developed by Dr. David Grand through clinical research, leverage the visual field to access and process trauma held deep within the subcortical brain, offering a powerful, non-verbal path for healing that can be particularly effective for neurodivergent individuals.

  • Validation is Key: We validate the experience of masking and chronic stress as legitimate sources of trauma, supporting the journey of de-masking and finding authentic self-expression. Our approach is underpinned by the principles of Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB), which highlights how relationships, like the therapeutic one, shape the brain and promote integration—the core mechanism of health. As experts like Dr. Bessel van der Kolk highlight, effective trauma treatment must involve the body and nervous system, which is particularly relevant for neurodivergent clients.

Healing is possible. Finding a space where you are seen, understood, and affirmed is the first step on your path to recovery.

Resources for Further Exploration (Australian & Worldwide)

We encourage you to explore the work of these reputable organisations and experts:

Ready to start your journey? We offer flexible after-hours and weekend appointments.

Susan Powell
Previous

Beyond the To-Do List: A Neuro-Affirming Approach to ADHD Executive Function
Next

Welcome to NeuroHaven Therapies! 👋