Autism, PTSD and c-PTSD with Dr Megan Neff (Neurodivergent Researcher)

*TW: This episode contains discussions of PTSD, and the frequent conversation on traumatic events - listener discretion is advised*

Are Autistic people more sensitive to c-PTSD? How is PTSD treatment different for Autistic individuals? What's the difference between PTSD and c-PTSD?

Dr Megan Neff (@Neurodivergent_Insights) is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice (USA, Oregon) working with neurodivergent adults focusing on neurodiversity-affirming assessments and psychotherapy. Megan gained 100k+ followers on Instagram with her unique content on misdiagnosis, highlighting the overlap between neurodiversities, but also with her comprehensive workbooks through the Patreon platform.

Megan's Links - https://linkin.bio/neurodivergent_insights // My Links - https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK

Diagnosed at 37 with Autism and later with ADHD, she felt encouraged to explore her own neurodiversity following the diagnosis of her daughter. Thomas and Megan touch on the overlap between these two neurodiversities, and how individuals can be thought of as ADHD or Autism dominant depending on their presentation. For Megan, ADHD was hard to spot due to her lifestyle being based around her special interests.

Dr Megan Neff starts by giving us a comprehensive list of PTSD criteria and the complex world of c-PTSD... highlighting how autistic individuals often don't meet certain criteria around significant traumatic events, and how the fear response related to PTSD can be amplified by our neurology. Megan describes how c-PTSD can be developed, talking about how existing chronically unsafe environments during childhood could sensitise the fear centre of the brain (amygdala).

Touching on Philosophy and existential crisis, the two theorise about why Autistic people are more prone to these '4th wall break' experiences. Megan goes on to tell us about the disparity between PTSD and Autism statistics, and how this leads to a wide estimate of PTSD occurrence among the autistic population - even in the lowest conservative estimations, autistic individuals are at least 10x more likely to develop some form of PTSD.

Dr Neff points to a few reasons why autistic people are more likely to develop PTSD: Higher rates of victimisation, more reactive nervous systems, higher emotional and sensory sensitivity, as well as stronger and longer cortisol responses (stress hormone).

Thomas inquiries about the treatment options, highlighting the issues around medication and neurotypical-focussed psychotherapy - they talk about possible therapy, medication and alternative treatments like Biofeedback, Vagal Nerve Stimulation, EMDR and Personal Family Systems work.

Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5

Interview me, 1:1 Autism coaching, public speaking for events, workplace training  - https://www.thomashenley.co.uk