I believe that most anxiety, depressive, personality, and a myriad of "disorders" would be better labeled as Trauma-Spectrum Neurodivergence, since the basis for these diagnoses results from traumatic experiences and creates changes in our biochemical and physiological structures, even altering the functioning of genes through epigenetic factors.
Did you know that the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders was revised in 2013 to become the DSM-5, the latest edition, which eliminated artificial distinctions between diagnoses and introduced a more interconnected way of perceiving diagnoses? For instance, what was previously known in the DSM-4 as Asperger's Syndrome, is now within Autism Spectrum Disorder. There is no longer a separate clinical diagnosis for "Asperger's Syndrome," and the understanding is that it is on a continuum of Autism.
This spectrum thinking includes a more systemic, broader view of "mental illness." Yet even the term "mental illness" is incomplete and stigmatizing. Mental illness is truly what I (and many others) consider to be physical illnesses that expresses themselves and impacts our functioning on physical, emotional, mental, and even spiritual levels.
I would more appropriately refer to "mental illness" as people who are psychiatric survivors or neurodivergent individuals.
These individuals have the capacity to experience life traumas in a way that includes suffering that neurotypical people do not often experience, if ever. Traumatic experiences can impact us even before we are born, as prenatal factors are increasingly studied for predicting future occurrences of neurodivergence, or what they label as "mental illness." And even beyond birth, environmental factors (being bullied, physical or psychological abuse, death of a loved one etc.) and biological factors (epigenetic changes, catching major viruses, coping with an incurable disease, etc.) are major contributors that may result in traumatic experiences.
The immensely complex biopsychosocial world we live in and the bodies we inhabit are intricate beyond compare. To simplify "mental illness" as such a label does not encompass the vast microcosmic and macrocosmic realms of existence that we embody. Trauma is much more than a label, more than a set of symptoms, and certainly more vast than the current psychological paradigm admits.
Introducing Trauma-Spectrum Neurodivergence
I decided upon this term when I was reading a post someone had created, trying to place various "disorders" into neat categories, where these disorders overlapped at times with similar symptoms. I thought about how much confusion there is currently to find the right "label" or cluster of symptoms to accurately diagnose a person, and it appears that people all over the world are struggling to find their distinct spot among these pre-set diagnostic terms. This static approach keeps people confined and limited to certain constructs where many feel a loss of hope, identity crises, and stigmatizing abuse from others (and even themselves).
I too have struggled with labels and understand the pain of being misdiagnosed, stigmatized, and confused as to "who I am."
Yet an increasing amount of folks are beginning to realize that at the root of their anxiety, depression, so-called "personality disorders," and other "mental illnesses" includes at least one experience of trauma. To focus on a few examples, there are currently 11 distinct anxiety disorders, 10 personality disorders, at least 5 different depressive disorders listed in the DSM-5. What do the vast majority of these approximately 26 disorders have in common? TRAUMA!
While Trauma-Spectrum Neurodivergence is not a term used in any DSM, I hope that one day it will be.
Instead of pathologizing people, I believe it is best to use a more compassionate, interconnected, inclusive, and kinder model where these 26 or so disorders are on a spectrum-- a spectrum of trauma that can be called Trauma-Spectrum Neurodivergence, with specifiers to indicate the branches off of this spectrum tree for clarification and appropriate treatment. Using a spectrum model may assist people in better understanding the root of what they are experiencing and focus on post-traumatic growth, improved treatment, and normalizing these experiences.
Being Trauma-Spectrum Neurodivergent
Whether from environmental, biological, or all factors, many people experience trauma and are changed as a result-- resulting in a place on the trauma spectrum. These symptoms from being on this spectrum need not be feared or judged. This is the body's natural coping mechanism, and completely normal defense mechanism for a traumatic experience(s) for which we don't feel we have the inner and/or outer resources to cope or survive.
Many people experience this as children and do not know how to put it into words. They just feel "different." As we get older, this feeling different can lead to challenges in relationships (with self and others) and can perpetuate traumatic experiences repeatedly occurring.
What we can realize is that we are on a spectrum of trauma that runs from very mild to extremely severe, and we can even move around on this spectrum depending on increased traumatic experiences, age, sex, societal factors, and basically anything that impacts us on any level that can produce changes in symptoms.
The Gifts of being Neurodivergent on the Trauma Spectrum
Just as we have symptoms of suffering, we also have signs of advantage. For instance, people who are on the neurodivergent trauma spectrum with anxiety specifiers can have gifts of increased awareness, a more intricate reading of social cues, foresight, a mind that can handle complexity, rapid information processing, and more!
Those on the trauma spectrum who are neurodivergent with depressive specifiers also have gifts that include a mind that is insightful, ponders the deeper realities of existence, is more introspective and reflective, and is tuned into the existential meaning and purpose of their lives.
In conclusion, being neurodivergent on the trauma spectrum can be challenging, yet it is also filled with often overlooked rewards. The more we can tap into our gifts as Trauma-Spectrum Neurodivergent folks, the more we can understand ourselves with more compassion, focus on healing our symptoms of suffering, and embrace the inherent gifts we now possess.
This is how we can mālama our trauma!! To truly care for our trauma so that we are liberated beings able to face our challenges and grow to new levels of awareness and inner freedom!
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