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Brain health seems like it would include cerebral palsy, epilepsy, stroke, TBI, dystonia, dyspraxia, etc. Some of the phenomena happening in the brain are similar between things like epilepsy, sensory overload, and fibromyalgia as being an uncontrollable cascade of nerve impulses in the brain, just as one example. I've also heard that differences in the inhibitory functions of the brain can cause OCD, tourette's, or dystonia. It seems a bit arbitrary what is affected and whether the medical field and society determine it is something the person should be able to control or not.

I've seen a few kids with both autism and ADHD diagnoses go on stimulants for ADHD and their anxiety got so bad. I always suspected it was a thing. I was told insurance required them to try medications in a certain order due to the likelihood of them working on the general population. So frustrating.

Well .. if "mental health" actually were a "dirty word", people should talk dirty a lot more often and more openly ;) Things, that are frequently being discussed, can't remain being considered "dirty" for very long .. Normalizing this topic is way overdue, anyways, imho.

It's really hard to quantify things in mental health to begin with - almost everything is in shades of gray, and subjective to boot.

CBT never worked for me. I have CPTSD and complex trauma. I need to trust my therapist and take my time. The evidence based insurance model isn't going to work.

I have been listening to the podcast for a few weeks on my commute to and from work(2x 45 min), and I want to say you guys are real role models for me. I am currently an undergrad in psychology and also was recently diagnosed as autistic and OCD, as well as several autoimmune disorders. Psychology has always been a special interest of mine, and have been learning so much about myself now that I am in college. You guys have brought a lot of new and exciting perspectives to me, and you guys have really impacted my life in such a powerful way. Just this episode, I had several 'AHA!' moments about my own thought processes and behaviors. Therapy has always been lackluster for me and never quite had the effects I had desired, but the episodes I've watched, going through chronologically and new episodes as they come out, have vastly improved my self-awareness as well as my outlook on life. My relationships have become much stronger, and my compassion for myself and others has expanded. I really want to thank you two for what you do. You both have really changed my life, and I aspire to have the same level of understanding of psychology, in and out.

Which one has more physical symptoms? Mine generally involve getting hives... to say the least.

Following watching triggering movies with "Overboard" might help? Where oh where are Gwen and Dana going with this? Thanks for mentioning in end, i am relieved wasn't my now gone APD or executive function disfunctioning not following u two. Most heavily triggered by someone projecting their own angries. Targeting me with like "How do you know you are autistic? Do a blood test or dna"?..when i clearly answered the ? Prior. I always just go silent..and give them their space. And me space as i want to take those three fingers of theirs pointing at them, and thier pointing at me finger and sprain or break them ! I am so laid back. Love me first, help others sensibly. So i am the guy that is not a threat that often people off load their crap onto. Maybe I need to break some fingers so people don't feel i am the safe target. Apart from being creeped on mostly create my own triggers, i have a deserved distrust or resentment with someone unresolved. So I start making an unprobable into a for sure. Hurting just me as never transpires like i am certain will. Cards? I am artistic and love humour so if i dared to buy not make cards I got the card back with demand for a personal effort new card. Thanks you two. I am long past my original delusion that Gwen and Dana enjoy fluidly wondrous lives because they are practiced psychologists. Fortunately we benefit from that not so.

I think the worst kind of trigger is one you don't even know you have until someone's tripped it.

I love you guys! Late diagnosed ASD at 60 here. Found you on YT, but binge listening on Audible, then comment on YT. Lol 😀👍

Omg the greeting cards!! Abusive stepdad got the blank card w/ happy fathers day written in, period, done! But for my neglectful gaslighting mother, I gave up. I chose the prettiest card I saw, didn't even read the insides before giving it. I couldn't be bothered to suffer over that process anymore! The fact that I participated in those farces to begin with became more than I could manage after a time. (We are no contact now) But my mother would read the card and be so touched. AS IF we had Ever had a relationship that had Ever had that depth of feeling! How delusional, seriously? It still set my teeth on edge, but better I didn't suffer over it, and if an old lady had a moment of comfort from it, then fine, whatever. My mil received a duplicate card because, for some reason, caring for the in-laws' feelings was also my responsibility. 🙄

Great discussion, found you on TikTok 😊. I'm in the middle of a diagnosis of Autism, assuming I'm on the spectrum though. Am middle aged and I've had an overwhelmed system for 20 years, chronically fatigued and anxious, autism is explaining so much of it. I'm trying to unwind this allostatic load but my system is so used to it, its painstaking to find my way to a baseline. Info like this helps though! Subscribed. ❤

I find that this also applies to relationships with people - it's not always easy, but it should be a net positive.

I love this, thank you for this episode. I need to work on myself in this area a lot and you have given me some concrete ways to do that. This will hopefully help me see some of my thoughts arising before I jump in and act.

Oh you two? Dunno exactly what the combined factors are? I have pretty good outcomes personally viewing your stuff sometimes. Funny references to personal stuff like pets, wife. Analogies. So on. So what the heck, now i am feeling I will consistantly practice my physical therapy exercises that do benefit. Was slacking off. But enjoyed podcast so fine. Fine fine ! I will. U know they make some big dog crates. As a boy i would hide under blankets in my closet if i had stepped over line with Mommy. Was a real good feeling, kinda like kindly giving my mom space without being directed. Lol.. Glad i tuned in. Thanks.

Assuming the goal is not just to speak to existing listeners, I'd suggest defining topics you are discussing at the start and also possibly in the description. TH-cam popped this up for some reason and my first thought was "why did it just recommend some antivax bs" until I realized it has to mean something else. Here it feels like you assume everyone has a common understanding of the definition of 'unmasking' but we don't. I also don't know if it is supposed to be talking about challenges with folks who have been diagnosed neurodivergent or everyone. Just watched the whole thing trying to determine what you are talking about and it seems to be about when you control your impulses, going along to get along, degree of social mode switching, and/or pick your battles. All things most people who have to interact with others, especially in different social situations, struggles with in the moment. But still not 100% sure if there was a peice of that which was the topic or if it was aimed at everyone or (officially) neurodivergent folks.

Bdays. Grrrr. Well always good feel gift. Mom knew I wasnt into it. So maybe bring just a pal playing with, suffer through the make a wish thingy. I didnt get could lie that i had made a wish..so took a bit to blow out candles. Never comes true. Mommy swearing it may. All along may have skipped on blowing out candles. Not logical. Love my autism adhd blunt speaking. Not mean but will say what comes to mind a little shock humour statement to others to not have my feel good edged at. Talented with that to where I shut my Narcisisist freind down without being intentionly demeaning. My feel good is my responsibility. No illusions to wish for others to figure that out. Wow. I am so keen to hear this, but I Really have to go pooh. Right Now, talk to u later. Just anything that pops in my head to escape. I have enough occupying the real estate in my mind to have space occupied i dont relish.

I have been having cognitive dissonance in that (a) I shouldn't need help finding places I've been to once or twice. Yet (b) I will definitely get lost, waste time, and become grumpy if I don't put the destination in Google Maps and have it navigate for me. For a long time, I thought it was embarrassing. Grown adults don't get lost in their own home town. But now I am trying to think of it like having a limp. Sure, I don't *need* the crutch, but it makes things easier and faster. Next time someone asks, I will tell them that it's nacho - nacho problem.

👍cars idling when they should be parked

I don't know if it's a delayed processing issue or alexithymia (probably both), but several months later, I would still wake up in the middle of the night thinking, "but what about this?" with some huge epiphany about my mother's death. Everyone seemed to expect me to be over it, but I was still actively trying to figure out what "it" was.

The alternative I heard that works best is "high support needs" or "low support needs." But even then, the level of need depends on the individual and the situation they're in.

Thank you so much for this video (and all the others). I just found your channel last week, and I currently have 29 of them in my queue for binging purposes. I started suspecting that I might be autistic about two and a half years ago; since then, I've been gathering all the information that I can get into my greedy little brain. I can't justify spending thousands on a diagnosis, but treating myself as if I am has helped me understand my life a lot better, so I shall forever be Schrodinger's autistic. Two suggestions for additions for those looking to self-diagnose: You hit on this a little bit with the ComicCon comment, but my first suggestion is to look around you. Are a lot of your close friends autistic or neurodivergent in some way? Either diagnosed or not? There's a reason you find them easy to communicate with. (Hint hint.) My second suggestion is to look at all of the traits you have that don't need diagnosed, and see how many of them have a high occurrence in autistic people. Things like being LGBT+, being alexithymic, struggling with insomnia, etc. don't need diagnoses, but they are common (not core) traits in the autistic community. If you walk and talk like a duck and are surrounded by ducks... you might be a duck, too.

Thx for supporting well and brief nerodivergent diversity with religion. Like many my autistic self rescued my butt so hugely from anything illogical. My lifetime for me clearly proves that Logic aligns nearest to loving. Opposed to needs to create and believe some destructive nonsense. I've enjoyed many friends whom grew up most as Catholic system. They are awesome. Cause they just quietly practice the stuff that is loving and sane. No thought about sexuality with children. Known others whose sons live all the while believing loved. And disown them for coming out as their wonderful. Powerfully rejected ..overwhelmed the suicide. Insane is all I can feel. Guys who spend their lives digging thru history: know the true historical Jesus was black. Not a secret really in the church. And undeniable artifacts from Roman empire support that. But some ding dongs are threatened. Think of black thousands of years ago equates to American slaves. One guy didn't change his faith. He discovered the real dude did not die. Wasn't in tomb as was never there. A wealthy Jewish friend arranged his crucifixion behind his palace walls. At three days they attended to his health lying to the Pontias dude he died. Pontias questioned that as that method is meant to occur over many days but didn't care. They loaded him up with snacks and enough diet coke to travel back to India. Where he is believed lived, dying in his 80s. Dude was bhuddist, teaching that. From 13 to 30 he wasn't in some desert tempted by a devil. Sane says he was in India studying the bhudda guys stuff. That Bible anything that is sane and loving mimics bhudism. Loving. Try to say that to Maga style Christians. If they don't have a stroke might barbecue you. Will never know what compelled Jesus to go home into hesrt of judaic traditions and roman empire to share we should all get along. And forgo religions. Certainly unpopular with the elite. If i had to guess? May have enjoyed too many diet cokes..kidding. Thank the universe for my autism in so many respects. Ok rude to prattle but religion hits a chord can't help it.

Oh noooo..religion. My God is the DBAD god. Simple: a single command. Dont Be A Dick. I do not discount others for their needs to be found there. My personal experience I feel religion is evils greatest achievement. Easy to support. My favorite cousin attended some big baptist church in the capital. Told her head dude she was confused. That book didnt make sense. He opened it, tore out the page where is just about love. Told her she could toss the rest of the book. Cool. She was super lady all around. I died once. Doesnt matter what people believe. They wont care is not so. That is a level of love beyond conception. Awakening, lites on not off. Best to leave mysteries as such. O.k., so my wife and I had a threesome once. Too funny. She is confused how i can be at two different areas at once. Opens her eyes and screams. Our male cat flying in air. He was licking her nipple.. oh my gosh. I am all up for dogs. They are pure conduits of love..enjoy seeing them turn things around for others. Like little therapist.

Born in 1965. Undiagnosed. If I had never started masking, I would have never had the friends that I did/still do, any boyfriends, any jobs, met and married my husband (though now divorced), and therefore had my wonderful son (who also has ASD; diagnosed). 🤷🏻‍♀️ NTs mask too… everyone does… just for different reasons and with different motives.

And I would also add anchovies to those bagels. It is difficult for me to unmask, all the time because it can sffect whether or not I get fired from jobs. But, I wish I could completely unmask.

Who could imagine that communication is the glue that runs thru everything, aspects of life? Even how we talk to ourselves. A friend years ago had this huge ass book about communication. Would recommend me to borrow that. I was keen. Only adhd autism created if only all of that was compacted into one chapter I might get thru it. Dang. Coulda shoulda woulda. With social media attractive go to and often people experiencing serious issues seeking connection with others. It is spooky. Isn't going to resolve as healthful or at all compared to a simple 1 hour session weekly with a worthwhile practiced psychologist. Rare to see a comment from anyone where they ask questions of the individual. Even if do. We lack the training and experience to know what and when to ask. Without risking harm as psychologist do. I think maybe Kamala's administration could toss money and support to multiply for one, Gwen and Dana types via some kinda AI psychologist serving more people..lol uh. Individual work is my preference dunno about zoom stuff..doesn't appeal to myself but I haven't a clue in what circumstances is useful. I want to get in a tussel a little with my guy and have us laughing in the end..I might hang up on him prior to getting the goods. Arrgh communicating, socializing, may be my autistic self, I really thrive often with zero of it. Thanks you two. Nice to enjoy some rain and cooler weather here in Seattle.

I always shop for clothes alone. I have 1,000 different rules for things I will/won't wear, and sometimes an article of clothing will meet all of the requirements but still be mysteriously unacceptable. It's very frustrating, even for me, and I try not to subject anyone else to the experience.

As a group, I feel like autistics are more likely to cut other people slack (such as in the example of clinical experiences in prisons or other forensic settings) than the average person. It is very ironic since autistic people can be assumed to be "rigid"; speaking for myself, my own expectations about my own behaviors can be. But my expectations of others, tend to be quite flexible, withholding judgment more often than not. I don't mean to say anything goes, but rather that it is possible to comprehend what leads others to behaviors that are not part of the norm, either legally or socially. To have others cut us some slack by validating that a way we respond to things can make sense in a particular context is so helpful.

I am ashamed to say people that drink diet soda feel weird to me. Lol. Nothing feels as good as 54grams of sugar in a tall can of classic coke. Normal helps whom I hang with . A bf/gf friends and I were driving to Jazz Alley in seattle few years back. I am autistic with food sensitivities, unaware then. Lady friend whom is super sweet, non harming others person. Says open your mouth to me, she was in back seat. Nicely gonna put some snack in my mouth. I saw it coming, flipped around in my seat, back against the dashboard. With my arms and hands outward. Said no,no, I can't eat Puffy Cheetos. She is like, u can eat crunchy though. She just nicely said she had never seen that. Her bf of course was like don't be weird at Jazz Alley. I can do normal if I try but that's effort. My middle name is weird. No fun often but occasionally enjoy being with others that don't point it out. Really what is point on shoving others to be cookie cutter people when ain't gonna change or cannot. I occasionally had tics when young so I can feel some for others that have no control of behaviors. Wordy, I am nursing a concussed that has slowed my speech. Writing is all I got, thanks for allowing me to prattle on. As always u two choose fresh subject and play that out as benefitting viewers.

I love your authenticity! It's what makes your podcasts distinctively you! I have found that masking in the past was forced and hurtful, but now it is done in a healthy way. Sometimes I want to mask and keep myself safe.

Love in a fur suit soothes the soul

Thx. U two delve into the subject so we'll. Yet are light/fun. Creates easy to absorb. It's not fair. Over years I relieved myself of that perception. I can't control others and systems. I accept that ir make myself miserable. But if someone personally is bullied. Another supersedes ones needs for own. Of course I will step up. Ingrained with my sdhd autism. Challenge to step away when unable to affect that. That being said: with initial autism adhd awareness (I am visual) I viewed a video representation of NT and ND in a noisy environment. The NT had a filtering ability I lack. I blurted out like a kid "That's Not FAIR, they are like living in a library" so dependent on personal circumstance, feelings whoops I can easily go to not fair. That felt personal..lol. I don't envy NT, don't have my particular experiences , exhaustive daily stuff to enjoy life. But they all have theirs, and some tough I don't that are not ND only. First year I got hooked on tour de France, love it

I relate very strongly to the thing about "picking up right where you left off." I don't really miss people much, but for me it's always felt like it has something to do with how I perceive time. Like I don't notice the time passing. I could never find a way to explain this to people without offending them so I just keep these feelings to myself.

I have it come and go. Very rarely do I miss someone. I thought there was a glitch in my system. Now I know it's ormal.❤🤗❤

As a very independent pdaer I have no concern with others’ judgement of what I’m doing. It has more to do with monotropism and already having a plan for my actions / dance but then experiencing others’ need for control and backseat driving. I feel like their energy crosses in and then they make it about them, so I don’t want to do it anymore. The joy and the meaning is gone.

Your comments about relationships to pets was accurate, omg. My pets are accepting of ME. People are not. People judge. Pets don’t

I always feel guilty that my wife misses me but I don’t miss her. In my mind, I’ll see her in a week (or however long it is), so what’s the issue? Feels unnecessary to me as an autistic 40-something. Nice to see her, but missing? Not really

I thought my Misser was “broken”… until I fell in love. I didn’t have the logical thought that people were coming back , I just didn’t miss them. I also had my devastation over my cat dying questioned. Love your sense of humour by the way 😂

Glad you fell into making some it is o.k. sense of that. My wife and I stayed at Cali Disneyland. Wonderfull world, love the feeling. My wife coaxed me to do Small Small World first. Someone shared it broke down for them and stuck listening to that awhile..being autistic I naturally catastrophied that would happen. I loved it. No one comments to me. I never miss anyone unless they are dead or away from my cared for pets, guilty. Not relatable , but I rarely call people by their names. Logically they know their names? Hate people address me by my name. Except my foster son..parenting is wholly different love and all for me at least. I was automatically gesturing he is loved, honored, valued I guess?

These podcasts keep me sane. Look forward to these eeeeevry Wednesday

Always wondered what was "wrong" with me. THank you. These types of videos remind me that I am the unique, different baddie that I know I am.

Icees! We had Icees at Kmart 😊

This was really great to listen to. Like a hug for some ephemeral, intangible part of myself which is tired of being shoved into a dark corner. Thank you for sharing

Great conversation. Thank you!

Off topic, but Hugsy in the background 😍

Fresh views on powerfully affective subject. Thx. With aware another realization I wasn't the only weird kid.The belief and feeling of being a Chameleon at age 7. Reparenting? Great tie in. Beautiful and healing, learning experience for myself. Getting to be the chill loving guy that sees my foster son as an amazing, autonomous individual. Do all the exhausting supporting parenting adolescent, valuing always letting him spin whatever in his days. variable intentions, gonna be NBA, Dentist,Porn Star etc. (Ended up wkng for microsoft) . He said once, Steve sometimes I feel in my stomach I am gonna be something great. I replied..Maybe you will just be a great father to your own sons? And he is. I am thinking how powerfully people whom are ND and masking if they lack healthy parenting to freely be and explore themselves. Guess why people practice helping others with trauma.

At 61 I have discovered that I masked my way into chronic illness. I'm trying to find safe spaces to unmask. Thank you for the episode.🤗

Invasion of the body snatchers

I always knew something was different about me, then entered trauma. After trauma. After trauma. Eventually toward the end of my tolerance for masking, I developed a stutter that lasted 3 yrs, until I couldn’t take it anymore & finally cracked. Something needed to change! So I finally advocated for myself, got tested (auDHD) & put myself in intense trauma therapy. Much better now that I’ve gotten through the anger & learned some tricks to manage myself. It helped me push through the fear of being myself so I could communicate my needs.& begin to figure out WHO I AM! I was a mess for years. Dana, you’ve helped me a lot (on TT!) Thank you for speaking about these experiences. So relatable!