Anyone else Neurodivergent?
I've been through many journeys of self-discovery in my life. When I discovered I was an empath it explained so much. It gave me an understanding of why I self-medicate. If it's to turn the volume down on life because I am a highly sensitive person.
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder several years ago but as I got older I realized that I don't fit a lot of the criteria anymore.
Meanwhile, I got locked on to a lot of YouTubers with real life experiences with Autism and adhd. The more I learned the more I related. For the first time I have words for what I feel and what I go through. My psychiatrist and therapist are on board with these diagnosis and I'm treating the ADHD with medication and therapy and learning to unmask my autism when I am alone.
Like most empaths can relate, I had childhood trauma that turned me into a people pleaser triggered my heart for awareness. I've come to realize that I've been masking and learning to read people and adjust myself to them just to fit in. Turns out a lot of neurodivergent people are highly sensitive to sounds, sight, taste, smell and touch. I now use sound reducing earplugs when I get stressed in public or in groups of people. And I've learned to be aware of my stimming and a need for regulation of my body from over stimuli.
It's been an interesting journey reflecting on my life through an Autistic ADHD (ADHD) lense. And it explains a lot of my struggles in trying to keep up in life and be like everyone else.
I still identify as an empath. Actually, I identify even more as an empath knowing it's relation to my AUDHD
I'm realizing a lot of my empathy is tied in with my autism. I'm hoping someone can relate.