Anxiety in Neurodivergent Spaces: A Personal Account from a Liverpool Woman

Liverpool, UK - A local woman, Mhairi Billington, recently shared her personal experience attending a neurodivergent drop-in session, shedding light on the often-unseen challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in social environments. Billington, 29, candidly described how the anticipation of being asked to speak publicly triggered significant anxiety, leading to physical manifestations such as leg tapping and a visible rash on her neck. "I was panicking this entire time," she recounted, detailing how she felt "overwhelmed and overstimulated" throughout the session, despite it being a supportive environment. Billington, who recently received an ADHD diagnosis, explained that her family had historically commented on her stimming behaviors, contributing to her self-consciousness. She drew parallels between her own adult experiences and the struggles her daughter faces at school, emphasizing the need for greater understanding and accommodation. Her account serves as a powerful reminder of the internal battles many neurodivergent individuals navigate daily, even in seemingly safe spaces, and underscores the importance of fostering environments where all individuals feel comfortable and understood.