Is Anxiety Considered Neurodivergent?
You may or may not know what it means, but chances are you’ve seen the words “neurodivergent” or “neurodiversity” floating around.
Neurodivergent may not be a medical term, but it does have significance in the psychology world and when it comes to acceptance for people with different minds. So, what does it mean and does it apply to anxiety?
What Does It Mean to Be Neurodivergent?
Being neurodivergent means having a brain that works differently from what is considered standard or typical. A neurodivergent brain develops, processes information, or behaves differently than the brain of the vast majority of people.
The terms neurodivergent and neurodiversity emerged in the late 90’s by sociologist Judy Singer. She sought to recognize the oppression and exclusivity experienced by people with unique minds, and also offer a positive alternative for how these differences were viewed.
She originally coined the term to change the negative language to more neutral or positive. Neurodiversity was initially used for people on the Autism spectrum, however the concept has far outgrown these bounds. Today, neurodivergence covers a huge range of disorders and differences.
Examples Of Neurodiversity
Health professionals use neurodivergent to describe any consistent ways someone's brain develops and functions differently than it does for the majority of the population.
Autism is still under the umbrella term, but now so are different disorders such as ADHD, Dyslexia, OCD, Down Syndrome, and many others. Rather than focusing on these differences as problematic, neurodiversity embraces these differences.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is an emotion everyone experiences from time to time. It is an intense feeling of worry, apprehension, and fear. It's a natural and normal response to a perceived threat or stress.
Although anxiety is normal from time to time, persistent, excessive, or disproportionate anxiety is generally indicative of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety of this nature interferes with a person’s wellbeing and day to day life.
There are a variety of anxiety disorders with symptoms that manifest both mentally and physically. Overwhelming and long-lasting anxiety like this can impede how people are able to function and the overall quality of life.
Does Anxiety Fit Under The Neurodivergent Umbrella?
A big aspect of neurodiversity is creating space and language for accepting differences and not seeing them as inherently bad. Experts do not have exact parameters established for a diagnosis of neurodivergence and the term is still evolving today.
The debate as to whether or not anxiety is considered neurodivergent is still ongoing. There is not yet a consensus as to where anxiety should be placed—under the neurodiverse umbrella, or outside of it. There are a few arguments for both scenarios.
How Anxiety Wouldn’t be Considered Neurodivergent
A simple definition of neurodivergence is having a brain that works differently from the brains of “normal,” or neurotypical, people. The way a neurodivergent brain functions, learns, or behaves varies from that of the majority of the population.
By those criteria alone, some people say anxiety cannot be classified as neurodivergent because anxiety is a feeling all neurotypical people also get on occasion. Therefore, anxiety is not considered neurodivergent.
How Anxiety Could be Considered Neurodivergent
While experiencing some anxiety is normal, dealing with crippling anxiety or a specific anxiety disorder is out of the “norm.”
Living with severe or chronic anxiety can make someone feel like they experience the world differently from others around them. Having a concept for these different experiences and a neutral label like neurodivergent can validate people’s experiences. For this reason, many people with anxiety identify as neurodivergent.
Anxiety and Other Neurodivergent Conditions
In addition, it's very common for people with neurodivergent conditions to also experience anxiety. Developmental differences and behavioral, personality, and mental health conditions are all considered types of neurodivergence.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), autistic adults are five times more likely to experience anxiety than their non-autistic counterparts. Half the adults with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder. 49% of adults with Tourette Syndrome also experience anxiety.
Statistics like these show how people with neurodiverse conditions are more prone to anxiety and some people may even consider the anxiety itself to be neurodivergent.
Differences are Valuable
Because the term “neurodivergent” isn’t a medical term, there's no solid answer as to whether anxiety is considered neurodivergent.
Regardless of whether you identify as neurodiverse, you may feel like you the way you interact with the world is different than how most others do. Your life experience is unique and having an inclusive and nonjudgmental term like neurodivergent helps recognize these differences with acceptance.
It can be stressful to function in a world that seems like it was not built for you, but being different is not a bad thing. Differences are not deficits and they typically come with special strengths, unique perspectives, and other benefits. If you feel that you operate differently than most due to anxiety, or something else, you may benefit from talking with a professional.
Anxiety Treatment at Sequoia
Sequoia Behavioral Health has an experienced and caring team ready to help you manage anxiety in your daily life and embrace your ability to break the mold. With individualized treatments that include neurotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, our inpatient and outpatient programs can work for all levels of anxiety
Reach out today and schedule a consultation.