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Understanding the Overlap of Neurodivergence and Trauma

December 1, 2025
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Many people come to therapy with a sense that something about them has always been “different.” Relationships may be confusing, emotions might feel overwhelming, or everyday tasks seem to require more effort than they do for their friends. For some individuals, these are symptoms of trauma, but for many others, it may be more complicated: Was this always who I was? Or did trauma make me this way? Is this something else?

Sometimes, what gets labeled as trauma symptoms are actually lifelong neurodivergent traits that were misunderstood, unsupported, or punished in childhood, creating trauma along the way. Here, we’ll explore how neurodivergence and trauma overlap, how to better understand your own patterns without blaming yourself, and ways to care for yourself.

What is Neurodivergence?

Neurodivergent is a term used to describe individuals whose brains develop or work differently (Cleveland Clinic, 2025). Neurodivergence is an umbrella term that includes a range of conditions in which the individual’s brain functions differently from what is considered neurotypical. These conditions include, but are not limited to:

These brain differences shape how someone processes sensory input, interprets social cues, learns, moves, communicates, or organizes thoughts. They can influence how a person is treated by caregivers, peers, and systems. Trauma may occur when the world doesn’t understand or accommodate their needs and differences.

This is reflected in research showing that autistic children are more likely to experience adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) than neurotypical peers (Takeda et al., 2024).

What is Trauma?

Trauma is more than the event that happened to you; it’s the way your body, brain, and nervous system had to adapt to survive something overwhelming. It can result from a single incident, such as an accident or assault, or from ongoing experiences like emotional neglect, bullying, discrimination, or growing up without the support you needed.

When something exceeds your ability to cope, your nervous system shifts into survival mode. This can lead to patterns such as:

Trauma shapes how you perceive yourself, others, and the world. It can impact memory, emotional regulation, attention, and your ability to trust safety in relationships.

The Overlap Between Neurodivergence and Trauma

Neurodivergent traits and trauma responses can look similar on the surface. This is why so many adults reach their 20s, 30s, 40s, or later before someone considers the possibility of neurodivergence. Below are some ways they overlap and why it can be difficult to untangle them.

1. Emotional Dysregulation

Many neurodivergent people experience big, fast, or intense emotions. Trauma survivors may also experience hyperarousal, shutdown, mood swings, or flashbacks. Difficulties processing or coping with emotions may look similar for these two groups, but stem from different places. For example, both autism and trauma can involve issues with identifying and regulating emotions.

Woman sitting on the floor with her hands on her head while thinking about trauma and neurodivergence.

2. Relational Challenges

Neurodivergence may involve differences in communication, sensory thresholds, or interpreting unspoken social rules, leading to being misunderstood. Trauma may involve hypervigilance, people-pleasing, avoidance, or distrust. Both can look like “relationship problems,” but for different reasons.

3. Shutdowns, Overwhelm, and Somatic Symptoms

A neurodivergent person might shut down because they’re overstimulated or struggling with interoceptive awareness (the ability to read internal bodily cues). A trauma survivor may shut down due to dissociation or a learned survival strategy after being triggered.

The National Autistic Society notes that interoception differences can significantly shape how autistic people experience panic, overwhelm, and emotional signals, independent of trauma (Goodall, 2022).

4. Executive Function Challenges

ADHD and autism affect organization, memory, planning, and task initiation. Trauma can produce similar challenges, especially after chronic stress. Research has shown that long-term stress affects children’s working memory and attention.

How Can You Tell the Difference Between Neurodivergence and Trauma?

Many people are both neurodivergent and have experienced trauma. Not because traits cause trauma, but because unsupported neurodivergent needs put an individual at a higher risk of being neglected, misunderstood, or targeted.

A useful way to think of it:

How You Can Start Making Sense of Your Patterns

1. Look at what was present before anything traumatic happened.

Reflect gently:

If yes, these might be indicative of something neurobiological rather than trauma-based.

2. Notice your triggers and patterns.

Trauma reactions are often tied to specific themes, such as abandonment, criticism, conflict, being yelled at, or feeling unsafe.

Neurodivergent reactions tend to be more consistent regardless of context. These might include noise sensitivity, difficulty switching tasks, shutdowns after too much stimulation, or trouble interpreting vague instructions.

Both can co-exist, but the pattern gives you clues.

3. Pay attention to what actually helps.

This is one of the clearest indicators.

Trauma often responds well to:

Neurodivergence often responds well to:

If your symptoms improve dramatically with routine, sensory supports, or accommodations, that points toward neurodivergence being part of the story.

4. Ask how you’ve always seen yourself.

Many people who discover they’re neurodivergent later in life say things like:

This doesn’t erase trauma, but it can help you reframe it. It validates that your pain didn’t happen because you were “too much” or “too difficult.” It happened because your needs weren’t recognized or supported.

Blurred woman holding her head, thinking about trauma and neurodivergence.

5. Let yourself hold both truths.

You don’t have to choose one narrative or decide definitively which came first.

You don’t have to “prove” what part is trauma and what part is neurodivergence.

You are allowed to acknowledge: “My brain works differently, and I’ve also lived through things that hurt me.”

What to do Next

You don’t have to know the exact root cause of your struggles before taking steps toward healing. Whether your challenges stem from neurodivergence, trauma, or both, you can explore different ways to care for your body and mind.

1. Begin by supporting your nervous system.

Both neurodivergence and trauma affect how your body processes stress. Gentle, consistent regulation strategies help reduce overwhelm and make daily life more manageable.

This can include:

2. Embrace accommodations without guilt.

Accommodations aren’t shortcuts; they’re tools that help you live in alignment with your nervous system. Many adults experience significant relief when they allow themselves to work with their brain instead of against it.

Examples include:

3. Seek trauma care that fits your neurotype.

Trauma therapy is most effective when it honors how you communicate and process information. A neurodiversity-affirming therapist can tailor sessions to your needs, whether that involves:

You deserve therapy that adapts to you, rather than the other way around.

4. Explore your identity with curiosity, not pressure.

Understanding your neurotype or trauma history can be grounding, but it does not need to be rushed or perfect. Your identity is allowed to unfold over time. Many people find it helpful to explore questions like:

5. Build a life around your strengths.

Neurodivergent traits, such as creativity, intuition, pattern recognition, honesty, deep empathy, or intense interests, can become powerful assets when nurtured. Healing isn’t just about reducing distress; it’s also about recognizing your inner strengths.

6. Release the pressure to “fix” yourself.

You don’t need to become more “normal” to be worthy of care, connection, or support. Often, healing begins with letting go of the belief that your struggles are personal failures.

Understanding the interaction between neurodivergence and trauma helps you meet yourself with more compassion instead of self-blame. With the right support, you can build a life that feels more supportive, regulated, and aligned with who you truly are.

Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy and Trauma Therapy in Seattle, Washington

If you’re searching for help to explore possible neurodivergence, trauma history, or both in a holistic way, Existential Psychiatry is here to support you. Dr. David Zacharias has cared for people from all walks of life for over twenty years as a healthcare provider. He offers patient-centered diagnostic assessment, therapy, and medication management that is collaborative, trauma-informed, and neurodiversity-affirming. To begin services or learn more, please reach out to schedule a free consultation.

Written by Existential Psychiatry Staff

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