Why is it that so many of us with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) end up dealing with other conditions?
I want to explore the possible link between Autism, ADHD, and conditions like Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and fibromyalgia. We’re just trying to get through life, but sometimes it feels like the odds are stacked against us.
The truth is, our nervous systems are different. They work harder to process a world full of sensory overload—bright lights, loud noises, constant notifications, and the daily grind. Add in high-carb diets, endless caffeine, and the relentless pace of modern life, and it’s no wonder our nervous systems can hit a breaking point. Even the environment plays its part—poor living conditions like damp, overcrowding, or lack of access to calm, green spaces can add another layer of stress, pushing our already overstimulated systems to their limits.
For many of us, this overload doesn’t just lead to exhaustion—it can lead to a diagnosis. Conditions like FND and fibromyalgia aren’t random; they’re connected to the way our nervous systems respond to long-term stress and overstimulation.
When you step back and look at the bigger picture, it all starts to make sense. Our nervous systems react differently to stimuli at an autonomic level—it’s simply part of who we are. However, this means we need to approach life with greater mindfulness, learning to navigate a world that often feels misaligned with our natural rhythms.
Our Nervous Systems Work Differently
At the core of ASD and ADHD is a nervous system that just doesn’t play by the same rules as everyone else’s. We experience the world more intensely. Sounds are louder, lights are brighter, emotions cut deeper, and stress hits harder. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—our heightened awareness often comes with creativity, focus, and unique perspectives—but it can also leave us more vulnerable to overwhelm.
When our nervous system is under constant stress, it can start to short-circuit, leading to conditions like FND or fibromyalgia. It’s like being on high alert all the time, with no real chance to hit the “reset” button. Over time, this takes its toll.
The Sensory and Stress Connection Think about how often we experience sensory overload. Crowded rooms, loud noises, scratchy fabrics, or even certain smells can push us to our limit. Add emotional stress to the mix—whether it’s anxiety, frustration, or just trying to get through the day—and our nervous systems don’t get much of a break.
Physical stress plays its part too. Overexertion, whether from exercise or other physical activities, can overwhelm the nervous system, especially when it takes longer to calm down after these activities.
When this sensory, emotional, physical, and environmental overload builds up over time, it can leave us stuck in a constant state of fight-or-flight. That’s where conditions like FND and fibromyalgia come in:
FND: For some of us, this nervous system chaos shows up as neurological symptoms like tremors, seizures, or muscle weakness—symptoms that have no clear physical cause but are very real.
Fibromyalgia: For others, it shows up as chronic pain, where even a light touch can feel excruciating.
Why Are We More Susceptible?
Hyper-Sensitive Stress Response Our nervous systems react more intensely to stress, and once we’re stressed, it can take a long time to calm back down. Chronic stress is a known trigger for conditions like FND and fibromyalgia, so it makes sense that we’d be more susceptible.
Sensory Overload For many of us, the world is just too loud, bright, or chaotic. Constantly managing sensory overload puts extra strain on our nervous system, wearing it down over time.
Emotional Regulation Challenges Emotions can feel like tidal waves. When we struggle to manage them—or we’re constantly trying to mask how we’re really feeling—it adds another layer of stress.
Overlapping Conditions Many of us also deal with anxiety, depression, gut issues, or sleep problems, which can make nervous system dysfunction even worse.
What’s the Bigger Picture?
The link between ASD, ADHD, FND, and fibromyalgia lies in how our nervous systems handle (or struggle to handle) stress. Our nervous systems are wired differently, which gives us unique strengths but also makes us more vulnerable to chronic stress and dysregulation. Over time, this can lead to our bodies becoming "stuck" in a state of dysfunction.
Stress isn’t just about work deadlines or relationship issues, as some might think—it’s the cumulative impact of sensory overload, overstimulation from certain foods, overexercising, bright lights, loud noises, and more. All of these factors place extra strain on an already sensitive system, pushing it beyond its limits.
What Can We Do About It?
It’s not all doom and gloom—there are ways to help calm our overactive nervous systems and find some relief. Things that have helped me (and others) include:
Mindfulness and Somatic Therapies: Learning to reconnect with and calm our bodies.
Pacing and Rest: Recognising our limits and giving ourselves permission to rest.
Diet and Gut Health: The gut-brain connection is real, and focusing on anti-inflammatory foods and probiotics can make a big difference.
Brain Training: Techniques like neuroplasticity exercises can help rewire how our nervous system responds to stress.
Final Thoughts: Embracing Our Differences and Navigating the World
When we reflect on the link between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and conditions like Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and fibromyalgia, a common thread emerges: the nervous system.
For many of us, life feels like constantly swimming upstream—navigating sensory overload, emotional stress, and the relentless demands of modern life. Over time, this can overwhelm our nervous systems, causing them to misfire.
The connection between these conditions isn’t random. It reflects how our nervous systems respond to chronic stress, overstimulation, and the challenge of navigating a world not built with us in mind.
Understanding this has been eye-opening. I’ve come to realise there’s so much more to conditions like autism and ADHD than I first thought. Recognising that my differences are rooted in the nervous system has been freeing. It’s not just okay to approach life differently—it’s essential for thriving.
References
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Van Der Kruijs, S. J. M., et al. (2019). The role of stress in functional neurological disorders. The Lancet Psychiatry, 6(5), 392–402.
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