Neurodivergent people are more likely to suffer from a mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression. Lou Campbell explains how organizations can help improve wellbeing and encourage strategies to regulate mental health.
Neurodiversity is increasingly at the heart of discussions on inclusion and support for employees. However, in the rush to understand neurodivergence, important details are being overlooked that will impact individuals, their mental health, and their ability to engage at work.
In my work as a mental health professional and neurodiversity specialist, I see the intersectionality of neurodivergence and mental health issues every day, and it is a topic that is often underestimated and misunderstood. While autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia and others are not mental health problems, they are a significant risk factor for mental health problems, including burnout, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders and insomnia.
Mental health issues among neurodivergent employees often begin in the workplace itself, as this is typically reserved for neurotypical employees. Everything from lighting, sound, office layout, management style, communication styles, and even the interview process can negatively impact people with neurodivergence. In a nutshell, simply having to constantly adapt to the norms of a neurotypical workplace places an enormous mental burden on neurodivergent staff, which so often leads to poor health and well-being.
The higher instances of mental health problems experienced by people with neurodivergence are striking: 50% of adults with ADHD and 47% of adults with autism will have a co-occurring anxiety disorder, while 70% of adults with ADHD and 40% of adults suffer from neurodivergence. autism will also have a co-diagnosis of depression.
Supporting neurodivergence in the workplace requires a two-pronged approach. First, organizations must remove barriers that hinder the comfort, engagement, and performance of neurodivergent employees. Second, there is a need for support and guidance to help individuals learn strategies to regulate and manage their own symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Workplace adjustments
To support autistic employees, it can be helpful to help reduce sensory overload. Designating quiet spaces for in-depth work, providing rooms with natural or dimmed lighting, and providing noise-cancelling headphones are all steps that can make the work environment more inclusive. Encouraging periods of the day without Zoom meetings can also help reduce overload and increase output.
For employees with ADHD, helping to manage their structure and agitation reduces stress that can worsen mental health issues. To aid concentration, it can be helpful to break tasks into smaller chunks and encourage the “pomodoro” work structure that combines concentrated periods of work with small, regular breaks to reduce lapses in concentration. Likewise, encouraging the use of fidget toys and listening to music can promote concentration and limit distractions.
Organizations also need to consider how they manage and communicate with neurodivergent colleagues. Autistic colleagues may miss implicit messages or metaphors. It is therefore essential that written or verbal communication uses clear and concise language that avoids abstract concepts, euphemisms or sarcasm. When managing neurodivergent staff, the needs of the individual should be heard and considered as much as possible.
Similar adjustments in communication can help employees with ADHD. Again, the requirement is clear, concise language that emphasizes the nature of the task, priorities and time frame for completion. Projects should be broken into small pieces with tight deadlines so that the ADHD employee can thrive. Again, understanding individual needs and knowing what accommodations would help them do their best is a good approach.
Taking ownership of mental health
There are many helpful strategies that neurodivergent employees can use to regulate their anxiety, depression, improve their sleep, and improve their overall mental well-being. Being able to access specialist neurodivergent counseling support is extremely helpful.
Here are some good general tips to pass on to employees:
For neurodivergent people who are more susceptible to mental health issues, it is essential that they incorporate movement and exercise into their routine.
Managing unhelpful thought patterns. Neurodivergent individuals are very likely to suffer from anxiety. This anxiety is fueled by “unhelpful thought patterns” that veer toward negative and highly self-critical interpretations of experience.
A simple but effective practice is to remind yourself “thoughts are not facts” when you feel anxious. This phrase interrupts the spiral of thoughts and puts them into a broader perspective. Grounding techniques can really help reduce anxiety associated with unhelpful thought patterns, such as focusing your attention on something sensory like a sound or texture object.
Movement and exercise. Research suggests that between a third and half of adults in the UK are not active enough to be in good mental health. For neurodivergent people who are more susceptible to mental health issues, it is essential that they incorporate movement and exercise into their routine. Daily changes, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or getting off a stop earlier in your commute, increase your movement. Also be sure to take regular screen breaks combined with stretching to reduce overwhelm and burnout.
Get enough sleep. To increase the chances of getting good quality sleep, start by reducing screen time. Turning off your screens an hour before bed increases your chances of falling asleep, as does engaging in calming activities like gentle stretching or a warm bath. Having a set bedtime can also help create a routine that improves sleep quality. But the most important aspect of being a “good sleeper” is having a strong psychological connection between bed and sleep, something poor sleepers can achieve with the support of a neurodivergent counselor.
Lifestyle changes. For people with autism and ADHD, there are a few changes you can make that can really help improve their mental health, such as making sure to drink plenty of water and eating a varied diet with lots of fiber and fruit and vegetables. It is also advisable to avoid caffeine and especially alcohol, as there is evidence of higher cases of dependence in people with neurodivergence.
A sense of community and belonging. Charities, specialist organizations and forums are all great places to connect, share, learn and gain a sense of belonging that is fundamental to human well-being. The combination of a suitable workplace and connection to these groups can help foster a sense of support and belonging which can promote engagement, productivity and mental wellbeing.
