Is there a Link between Neurodivergence and Panic Attacks?

What is Neurodivergence?

Neurodivergence refers to a group of individuals who were born with neurological differences--such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and others, and may struggle with things like emotion regulation, communication, planning and executing tasks, time management, sensory processing, but they can also possess strengths such as creativity, innovation, spontaneity, and passion.

Due to difficulties like sensory sensitivities, social issues, and intolerance to uncertainty neurodivergents can often experience overwhelm in their day to day lives and it has been found that up to 50% of adolescents with autism also met the criteria for an  anxiety disorder. Another study found that having two neurodivergent diagnoses, both ADHD and Autism increased the likelihood of an individual also meeting the criteria for an anxiety diagnosis greatly.

It begs the question then with the increased likelihood of anxiety in individuals with these diagnoses, does neurodivergence increase the risk of experiencing panic attacks? 

How Neurodivergence Impacts daily life

Planning and Task Management

A neurodivergent person experiences the world differently, which can affect their ability to plan and manage tasks. For example, a neurodivergent mother may feel overwhelmed by the demands of managing family appointments, extracurriculars, school events, and her own personal or professional responsibilities. She might forget obligations, arrive late, or feel unprepared. When she compares herself to others who manage to stay on top of things, she may experience anxiety, overwhelm, and shame. 

Community and Relationships

Someone with neurodivergence may struggle to maintain friendships, and may have difficulty socializing. They may avoid socializing all-together or feel really drained after social interactions. They might feel uncomfortable in crowded areas, or have a hard time in new situations, and feel anxious when going out. 

Emotion Processing and Response

A neurodivergent person might have a really hard time identifying how they're feeling at any given time, or they might find themself "going from 0 to 10" quickly. This person might have a difficult time expressing their emotions and may experience an exaccerbation of their other symptoms when emotionally upset. 

Sensory Sensitivity and Processing

A neurodivergent person might have a really hard time with certain sounds, sights, smells, or textures. They might not even know that they do, but may become very irritable in situations with bright lights, loud noises, or competing and fluctuating sensory experiences. 

Cognitive Processing and Challenges

A neurodivergent might have difficulty transitioning from one task to another, or stopping something in the middle of a task. They might have a hard time letting go of things that they're really passionate about. They might think in black-and-white or all-or-nothing terms. They might have a difficult time adjusting to things when their expectations were not met, or coping with uncertainty. 

What are Panic Attacks?

Panic attacks are sudden episodes of fear, anxiety, or discomfort, often accompanied by physical symptoms like heart palpitations, muscle tightness, dizziness, and shortness of breath. These attacks typically last up to 30 minutes and occur without any specific trigger, often seeming to come out of nowhere.

Panic attacks are distinct from anxiety. While anxiety—especially intense anxiety—focuses on specific concerns and is usually linked to worry, it can persist for long periods and build gradually. In contrast, panic attacks have a sudden onset.

Panic attacks are also different from autistic meltdowns, which are the nervous system’s response to sensory overload, frustration, or emotional dysregulation, rather than fear or anxiety. Meltdowns may include crying, shouting, or aggression, often as an expression of being unable to cope with overwhelming stimuli.

Research indicates that neurodivergent individuals are more prone to various anxiety-related symptoms, with panic attacks being one of them. While studies directly linking neurodivergent burnout to an increase in panic attacks are limited, there is a body of research connecting neurodivergence to both heightened anxiety symptoms and a greater risk of burnout. From this, one might infer a potential connection between panic attacks and neurodivergent burnout. However, it is important to note that individuals experience symptoms differently, and many factors are involved. Just because one person may be at higher risk for a co-occurring disorder doesn’t mean another person will experience the same.