Could I Be Neurodivergent? Understanding ADHD, Autism & OCD

Have you ever wondered why life seems to feel more overwhelming, exhausting, or confusing than it appears to others? If you've found yourself questioning whether you might be neurodivergent, you're not alone.

In this compassionate talk, we'll explore the similarities and unique characteristics of ADHD, autism, and OCD, while discussing why these experiences can overlap and why so many people aren't identified until adulthood. Rather than focusing on labels or diagnoses, this talk offers understanding, validation, and a new lens through which to view your experiences.

Whether you're curious about yourself, supporting someone you love, or simply wanting to learn more about neurodiversity, you'll leave with greater insight, practical understanding, and hopefully a little more self-compassion. Because sometimes the most healing question isn't "What's wrong with me?" but "What if my brain simply works differently?"

Transcript

Hello and welcome. I'm really glad you're here. Today's talk is for anyone who has ever looked around and wondered. Why does life seem so much harder for me than it does for everybody else? Maybe you've always felt different. Maybe you've spent years trying to understand why certain things feel easy for other people, But exhausting for you. Or maybe you've recently started hearing conversations about ADHD, Autism, Or OCD. And found yourself thinking. Could that explain some of my experiences? If that's you, You're certainly not alone. Over the past several years, Many adults, Especially women, Have begun discovering that they may be neurodivergent later in life. Sometimes it's because a child is misdiagnosed. Sometimes it's because menopause changes the way that the brain functions and suddenly lifelong coping strategies stop working. Sometimes it's simply because we finally have a better information than we did 20 or 30 years ago. Today's talk isn't meant to diagnose anyone. Instead, My hope is to offer language, Understanding, And perhaps most importantly, Compassion. Whether you eventually identify with ADHD, Autism, OCD, Or more than one of these, Or even none at all. Understanding how your brain works can be one of the most freeing experiences of your life. Because understanding often replaces shame with curiosity. And curiosity creates room for self-compassion. So let's begin by talking about what we mean when we use that word, Neurodivergent. Neurodivergence simply means that a person's brain develops or processes information differently from what society considers typical. That difference isn't a flaw. It isn't something that needs to be fixed. Is simply a different way of experiencing and interacting with the world. Our brains are wonderfully diverse. Some people process information quickly but struggle to organize it. Some notice every tiny detail in a room. While others naturally filter those details out. Some thrive on routine. Others crave novelty. Some experience emotions intensely. And others process emotions more internally. There isn't one right brain. There are many different ways of being human beings. One thing that often surprises people is that these experiences don't always fit neatly into one category. A person can have ADHD and autism. Someone with OCD may also have ADHD. Many people share characteristics across these conditions. So today, When I talk about neurodivergent spectrum, I'm not suggesting there's one official spectrum that combines all of these diagnoses. Rather, I'm talking about the reality that many neurodivergent experiences overlap. Instead of tiny boxes, Many people have what I like to think of as a constellation of traits, Different characteristics that come together to create the unique way that their brain works. And that's why understanding yourself can sometimes feel confusing. You may hear someone describe ADHD and think, Well, That sounds like me. And then you hear someone describe autism and think, Well, That sounds familiar too. And then someone talks about intrusive thoughts and OCD and suddenly that resonates as well. It's okay if you're feeling uncertain. Understanding ourselves is rarely a straight line. Let's start with something these experiences often have in common. Many neurodivergent people grow up feeling like there's somehow too much or not enough. Too sensitive, Too emotional, Too talkative, Too quiet, Too intense, Too distracted, Too rigid, Too forgetful. Too different. Over time, Many people become experts at hiding these differences. They watch how other people behave and try to imitate them. They rehearse conversations before social events. They push through sensory discomfort. They force themselves to make eye contact, Suppress movements that would help them regulate, Or work twice as hard just to keep up. This is often called masking. Masking can help people fit in. But it also takes an incredible amount of energy. Many adults who've discovered that they're neurodivergent later in life don't suddenly become neurodivergent. They simply reach a point where the effort required to keep masking becomes impossible to sustain. Life gets bigger. Careers become more demanding. Children arrive. Aging parents need support. Hormonal changes affect our brain, And stress accumulates. And suddenly, The strategies that worked for decades stop working. That isn't failure. It's often the first opportunity you've had to finally notice what your brain has been asking for all along. Now let's explore some of these experiences a little more closely. ADHD is often thought of as difficulty paying attention. But that description barely scratches the surface. Many people with ADHD don't have a lack of attention. They have difficulty regulating attention. Sometimes attention wanders. And sometimes it locks in so intensely that hours disappear without notice. You might spend three hours researching the perfect planner, Color coding your calendar, Or learning everything there is to know about a new hobby, And then struggle to remember where you left your keys, Or find yourself unable to begin the tasks that you've been thinking about all day. It isn't laziness. It's a difference in how the brain initiates, Organizes, Prioritizes, And shifts between tasks. Autism often includes differences in social communication, Sensory processing, And the need for predictability. You might have always wondered why bright lights feel overwhelming. Why clothing tags are unbearable. Why going to the grocery store leaves you completely drained. And why small talk feels exhausting, But deep conversations feel energizing. Or why you've always had a passion that runs incredibly deep. Many autistic adults spent years believing they were simply too sensitive or socially awkward. Often they weren't. Their brains were just simply processing the world differently. OCD is another diagnosis commonly misunderstood. People often use the term to casually describe liking things organized. But OCD isn't about being neat. At its core, OCD involves intrusive, Unwanted thoughts or images that create significant anxiety. Follow behaviors or mental rituals designed to reduce that anxiety or create more certainty. Someone might repeatedly check locks. Seek reassurance, Mentally review conversations, Or feel trapped by thoughts they desperately don't want to have. It's important to understand that intrusive thoughts happen to all of us. What makes OCD different isn't having the thoughts. It's becoming stuck in the cycle of trying to make sure they go away or prove they aren't true. Although these experiences are different, They also overlap in fascinating ways. People with ADHD and autism may both struggle with executive functioning. Autistic individuals and people with OCD may appreciate routines, But often for very different reasons. ADHD, Autism, And OCD can all involve the feeling of anxiety. All three can contribute to emotional exhaustion. All three can leave people wondering why everyday life feels so effortful. And perhaps, Most importantly, None of these experiences say anything about your intelligence, Your kindness, Your worth, Or your potential. They simply describe one aspect of how your brain processes the world. If you've listened today and found yourself recognizing pieces of your own experience, I invite you to gently approach that with curiosity. You don't need to rush towards a label. You don't need to convince yourself of anything today. Perhaps today you simply notice. Maybe you read. Maybe you learn from clinicians and neurodivergent voices. Maybe you speak with a professional who understands adult presentations, Especially if these experiences haven't been affecting your work. Your relationships, Or daily life. But regardless of where your journey leads. I hope that you leave today with one important thought. What if the question isn't, What's wrong with me? What if the question is, What has my brain been trying to tell me all these years? That single shift can open the door to incredible healing. Because when we understand ourselves, We often stop fighting who we are and what we need. We begin working with our brains instead of against them. And perhaps, For the first time, We offer ourselves the same compassion we've so freely given everyone else. Thank you so much for spending this time with me today. Until next time, May you continue meeting yourself with curiosity, Kindness, And compassion.

Reviews

Wow. This has all been hitting me in the past few years. I absolutely love the reframe of ‘what is my brain trying to tell me’. As a person formerly trapped in a religion that taught these differences as moral shortcomings or sin; these words are so kind and freeing. Thank you.

Really grateful for your talk & explanations, Karelin💝🙏🏻 Has shone the light of clarity deeper, given me more insight & avenues to pursue (rabbit holes to dive into)❣️💐Thank you so much.

So beautiful, so compassionate. Love it. Thanks so much ✨✨🩵