As a late diagnosed aut/ADHD with CPTSD thrown in for spice, I finally became aware that I had been navigating auditory processing disorder, a part of ADHD. It was preventing me from filtering out multiple sounds, resulting in not hearing directions properly, and becoming overwhelmed and anxious easily in crowded places. Certain noises began triggering significant meltdowns. This was hugely embarrassing and confusing. I couldn't understand what was happening or why.
Once the pieces fell into place, I was able to adjust things in my life to minimize the triggers, and simply understanding WHY has helped me love myself through the tough stuff. Meltdowns are less frequent now and I'm learning to dust myself off and get on with my day if they do happen. They are like little electrical storms, here then gone. They are my psyche's way of dealing with overstimulation, and is simply an indicator that I need to adjust something in my environment.
And guess what? This is mine, and so many others, normal. I'm cool with it. My loved ones are cool with it. It's not a big deal. Us neurodiverse are wired tight and this is our emergency release valve.
But society in general still has a ways to go, so I made this video. Slightly irreverant and campy, but hope it gets the point across. 🥰
script is my own
video created in Pictory and edited in Capcut Pr
Nature and Soul Studio