I also have chronic pain fibromylagia, chronic migraines and have the same experience. Such a struggle. We need the field to be more educated on neurodivergence. I think your post helps highlight for me the importance of educateing therapits on neurdivergence. This is the issue. I think this should be a focus of my work perhaps, educating therapists who are interested. Maybe I will work on focusing my efforts here
Are you aware of Dr. Mel at All Brains Belong in Vermont? She is an autistic PCP doctor in Vermont re-shaping how treatment is delivered to ND people and paving a great way of training other clinicians. She also sends out information regarding how Autism and ADHD have so many other co-morbidities like autoimmune disorders, GI issues, chronic pain, hyper mobility and Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome all 13 types. There is a lot for all clinicians to know. I want to also teach other clinicians too.
I am also an LCSW and am AuDHD. I have worked as a case manager with HIV individuals for the past 5 years. I have recently come to realize that a very large portion of my aging HIV survivors are neurodiverse. Especially with ADHD and as they age they are also showing signs of Hoarding Disorder. This trajectory is tragic. The entire world would rather throw my hoarding disorder clients on the street because of the massive judgement people have on hoarding and the complete misunderstanding of ADHD burnout, especially when facing multiple physical health problems that come with aging and having HIV. I just can’t believe that the state of CA would rather throw my clients on the street for having a cluttered house and deem them “lazy” or “disgusting” and not provide help to keep them housed. The system traumatizes me every single day. Now I am starting Telehealth practice at home and my first client is a TAY and diagnosed with BPD when he has a childhood DX of ADHD! How, HOW can we help? The trajectory for our kind is so so dismal. We need strengths-based trauma informed therapies that normalize the ADHD brain and help strengthen their ability to work with their brains and to be proud. IDK if you feel this way, but I seriously think that a lot of the Cluster B personality disorders are people with untreated ADHD and autism. Our trauma response, intense feelings and RSD all come together to create these coping skills as kids and grow into personality disorders. Just my own observation, but it really gets to me.
I was in therapy for many years, beginning in my twenties. My therapist was a kind, well intentioned woman who I felt safe with. We focused the most on Adult Children of Alcoholics issues... I remained in therapy with her for many years, far too many in retrospect. I am newly diagnosed with ADHD and am much much older now. I mourn that I was not diagnosed earlier. I feel my life would most likely have had a different trajectory with more self love and understanding and knowledge. The self hatred and low self esteem created over a lifetime of " falling between the cracks" have exacted a toll on my mental and physical health. Had my therapist been more informed and not misdiagnosed me, I would have had more time in my life to adjust and make the necessary lifestyle changes and do the "mental work" to try to improve things for myself and my relationships etc. I hope to move beyond this mourning phase to help optimize the information available now to live a better quality of life, but I cannot deny feeling dejected and overwhelmed in processing the information available . Thank you very much for your article and acknowledgement of the struggles in the field. I would add that several doctors,I have consulted (Rheumatolgoist and Gynecologist) were woefully lacking in any depth of information about the health issues of menopausal women who have chronic pain, and the toll that ADHD can exact.
I also have chronic pain fibromylagia, chronic migraines and have the same experience. Such a struggle. We need the field to be more educated on neurodivergence. I think your post helps highlight for me the importance of educateing therapits on neurdivergence. This is the issue. I think this should be a focus of my work perhaps, educating therapists who are interested. Maybe I will work on focusing my efforts here
Are you aware of Dr. Mel at All Brains Belong in Vermont? She is an autistic PCP doctor in Vermont re-shaping how treatment is delivered to ND people and paving a great way of training other clinicians. She also sends out information regarding how Autism and ADHD have so many other co-morbidities like autoimmune disorders, GI issues, chronic pain, hyper mobility and Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome all 13 types. There is a lot for all clinicians to know. I want to also teach other clinicians too.
Karie I don't know about her. Thank you so much for sharing that's so exciting that's shes doing this work.
I am also an LCSW and am AuDHD. I have worked as a case manager with HIV individuals for the past 5 years. I have recently come to realize that a very large portion of my aging HIV survivors are neurodiverse. Especially with ADHD and as they age they are also showing signs of Hoarding Disorder. This trajectory is tragic. The entire world would rather throw my hoarding disorder clients on the street because of the massive judgement people have on hoarding and the complete misunderstanding of ADHD burnout, especially when facing multiple physical health problems that come with aging and having HIV. I just can’t believe that the state of CA would rather throw my clients on the street for having a cluttered house and deem them “lazy” or “disgusting” and not provide help to keep them housed. The system traumatizes me every single day. Now I am starting Telehealth practice at home and my first client is a TAY and diagnosed with BPD when he has a childhood DX of ADHD! How, HOW can we help? The trajectory for our kind is so so dismal. We need strengths-based trauma informed therapies that normalize the ADHD brain and help strengthen their ability to work with their brains and to be proud. IDK if you feel this way, but I seriously think that a lot of the Cluster B personality disorders are people with untreated ADHD and autism. Our trauma response, intense feelings and RSD all come together to create these coping skills as kids and grow into personality disorders. Just my own observation, but it really gets to me.
I was in therapy for many years, beginning in my twenties. My therapist was a kind, well intentioned woman who I felt safe with. We focused the most on Adult Children of Alcoholics issues... I remained in therapy with her for many years, far too many in retrospect. I am newly diagnosed with ADHD and am much much older now. I mourn that I was not diagnosed earlier. I feel my life would most likely have had a different trajectory with more self love and understanding and knowledge. The self hatred and low self esteem created over a lifetime of " falling between the cracks" have exacted a toll on my mental and physical health. Had my therapist been more informed and not misdiagnosed me, I would have had more time in my life to adjust and make the necessary lifestyle changes and do the "mental work" to try to improve things for myself and my relationships etc. I hope to move beyond this mourning phase to help optimize the information available now to live a better quality of life, but I cannot deny feeling dejected and overwhelmed in processing the information available . Thank you very much for your article and acknowledgement of the struggles in the field. I would add that several doctors,I have consulted (Rheumatolgoist and Gynecologist) were woefully lacking in any depth of information about the health issues of menopausal women who have chronic pain, and the toll that ADHD can exact.