Modern Life, Micro-Stresses, and Neurodivergent Minds
A middle-of-the-night pondering that led to 20 tabs of research
There is speculation about the rise in diagnoses of both neurodivergence and mental health concerns, sometimes met with dismissive responses: talk of the “snowflake generation,” or “it wasn’t like that in my day,” or that young people should “just get on with it.”
Every generation has faced hardship. Families have always endured trauma and crisis, and, if they can, find ways to cope. But it is important to recognise that in the past, struggles were often minimised, hidden, or silenced. Difficulties were institutionalised, punished, or shamed into secrecy, which made them appear less common than they really were. It is perhaps surprising to hear that, relative to the size of the population, the suicide rate in England and Wales has declined by 21% since 1981.
We can see a useful parallel in attitudes toward left-handedness. Not so long ago, being left-handed was associated with sin, evil, poor mental health, criminality, low intelligence, or simply being “unclean.” Children were rapped across the knuckles for using the “wrong hand,” or had their left hand tied behind their back. What was once wrapped in stigma and myth is now simply seen as a natural difference, thanks to research, awareness, and changing social attitudes.
Over the last century, the percentage of people identifying as left-handed has risen from about 3% to around 11% - not because more left-handed people suddenly came into existence, but because they no longer had to suppress or hide that part of themselves.
In the same way, it makes sense that neurodivergent traits, mental health struggles and associated coping strategies - ways of being or responding that diverge from the “norm” - were long suppressed or masked to fit in and survive. But suppression, conformity, and masking are not the same as good health.
At the same time, the world itself has changed. Historically, stress was often tied to visible, tangible threats: a war, a famine, a clear “enemy” or crisis. Those stresses haven’t disappeared, but they now coexist with something newer: an accumulation of daily micro-stresses.
These micro-stresses include:
digital overwhelm and constant notifications
being “always on” and available
the relentless news cycle and global anxieties
juggling home, work, and social expectations
job insecurity, stagnant wages, and the rising cost of living
the “mental load” of endless admin: bills, school communication, finding tradespeople, managing passwords
background noise, traffic, and pollution
looming fears about healthcare, social justice, climate, and global conflict
Individually, these micro-stresses may seem small (or not!). Collectively, they build into chronic overwhelm, a type of stress that is harder to define, harder to resolve, and easier to internalise.
This is where Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a helpful lens. If our basic physiological and safety needs feel constantly threatened by instability, overload, or insecurity, then higher-level needs, belonging, esteem, and self-actualisation, are harder to reach. Micro-stresses may not always look like a crisis, but they can still erode our ability to thrive.
Consider a person who is autistic, particularly someone sensitive to sensory input and occasional difficulty navigating subtle social cues. In a past world, without digital displays, piercing LED car headlights, tinny headphone music, the roar of engines and sirens, office chatter, or the constant hum of large cities, they would have experienced far fewer sources of overstimulation. Today, the bombardment of emotional news stories, pressure to take a stance on every issue, and the endless choices about supplements, parenting, or ethical consumption all contribute to a constant sensory and cognitive load. Compare this to non-digital offices, women working in near-silence in laundries, men labouring in the dark in mines. Yes, life was physically hard, yes, far less luxurious, but our autistic individual would have been far less likely to experience the kind of sensory overwhelm that is so common today.
So if we accept two ideas, that neurodivergence and mental health struggles have always existed, though often hidden, and that modern life brings new layers of stress that directly affect wellbeing, then the increase in reported cases and diagnoses is not surprising. It reflects not weakness, but visibility, awareness, and changing social conditions.
Alternative Perspectives: Evolutionary Adaptation and Environmental Sensitivity
This is just one perspective, not the whole story. Mental health and neurodivergence are complex, nuanced, and deeply personal. But recognising these dynamics can help us move beyond judgment and towards compassion, both for ourselves and for others.
While the above perspective highlights the challenges of modern life, it's also valuable to consider alternative viewpoints. For instance, neuroscientist Dean Burnett, in his article The True Origins of Autism, suggests that neurodivergence, including autism, may be an evolutionary adaptation. He argues that traits associated with autism could have conferred survival advantages in certain contexts, such as heightened attention to detail.
This perspective aligns with the concept explored in The Dandelion and the Orchid by W. Thomas Boyce. The book highlights that some individuals, “orchids”, are highly sensitive to their environments: they may struggle in adverse settings but thrive spectacularly in supportive ones. In the same way, neurodivergent traits may offer remarkable strengths in the right circumstances, yet lead to distress or overwhelm in less accommodating contexts. Understanding this interplay between individual traits and environment can help us foster conditions where neurodivergent people can truly flourish.
There are also several studies which support the concept that depression has evolved as a coping strategy. Depression by nature triggers us to withdraw from society, reducing the chance of harm from others, sensory stressors and overwhelm. Trauma and stress increase inflammation, and depression involves immune activation (likelihood impacted by genetics). We can also see interesting gender differences here, with women more at risk (sigh). As a short-term response, this seems effective; in our modern world of long-term, chronic stress, it becomes maladaptive. This is a rabbit hole I will go down in my own time - this is all so fascinating - but please explore the links if you are interested.
Conclusion
The rise in neurodivergent diagnoses and mental health issues can be attributed to various factors, including increased awareness and reduced stigma. While modern life presents unique challenges, it's essential to acknowledge the complexities and nuances of these issues. Embracing diverse perspectives, such as viewing neurodivergence as an evolutionary adaptation, can enrich our understanding and foster a more inclusive society.
It’s lovely to share a few moments with you today.
Until next time,
💛🌿 Helen
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