When Mental Health Looks Like Sensory Overload: A Neurodivergent Lens on Emotional Wellness
- Yvette E. McDonald, LCSW-QS, CMNCS
- May 10
- 3 min read
A part of the Integrative Approach in Action blog series by Yvette, LCSW, CMNCS
Welcome to the Integrative Approach in Action blog series. As a Certified Mental Health and Nutrition Clinical Specialist (CMNCS), I often find that lasting emotional wellness requires more than talk therapy alone. This series is designed to help you understand how nutrition, nervous system regulation, and practical lifestyle changes can support your mental health at a deeper level.
Each post explores a specific element of my integrative approach. In this one, we’re focusing on food through a neurodivergent lens.
We often talk about mental health in terms of diagnoses: anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood swings. But for neurodivergent individuals—those with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, or a mix of all three—mental health struggles often show up in more complex, less “textbook” ways.
Many of the neurodivergent clients I work with don’t say, “I’m anxious.”
They say things like:
“I’m exhausted by everything.”
“I can’t think straight unless it’s completely quiet.”
“My body feels like it’s on fire when I’m overstimulated.”
“I eat constantly when I’m overwhelmed.”
“I can’t regulate until I’m alone.”
Sound familiar?
The Missing Link: Sensory & Nervous System Overload
When your system is constantly processing too much input: noise, lights, textures, unpredictability, it begins to send out distress signals. Not because you’re weak. Not because you’re mentally ill. But because your body is maxed out.
This kind of internal overload can:
Mimic anxiety or panic
Lead to shutdowns or meltdowns
Disrupt eating patterns or sleep
Cause emotional numbness or irritability
Trigger intense emotional reactions (especially in social or chaotic environments)
In a traditional mental health model, these symptoms might get labeled.......but not explained. And certainly not supported in a way that honors your sensory or neurobiological reality.
A Nervous System-Informed Approach
In my practice, I work with clients to understand their sensory profile and nervous system state. We use tools like the Five-Point Scale, Zones of Regulation, and Polyvagal Theory to identify what’s actually happening inside the body, not just what’s showing up on the surface.
When we approach mental health through a neurodivergent lens, we stop asking, “What’s wrong with me?” and start asking, “What does my body need right now?”
Sometimes that answer is:
Food.
Silence.
Movement.
A pattern.
Time away from people.
Or permission to stim, cry, or reset.
What This Looks Like in Practice
In therapy, this might include:
Mapping emotional flare-ups to sensory triggers or environmental stress
Creating sensory-friendly routines to anchor the day
Using movement or stimming for emotional regulation
Identifying safe foods vs. stress-eating patterns
Building a regulation toolkit customized to your needs
Unpacking masking fatigue and rebuilding authenticity
A Personal Note
As a late-identified autistic and ADHD adult myself, I’ve lived this intersection. I know what it’s like to have intense internal experiences that don’t match what the outside world expects. I’ve worked through the burnout, the social hangovers, the overwhelm-driven eating, and the identity loss that comes from years of masking.
This isn’t just professional for me. It’s personal. And I hold space for your process with both insight and deep respect.
Let’s Find Your Rhythm
If you’re navigating neurodivergence and traditional therapy hasn’t felt like a good fit, you’re not alone. You don’t need to be “fixed.” You need a framework that makes sense for your system.
Explore neurodivergent-friendly therapy that meets you where you are—and helps you build the tools you’ve always needed.
Next in the series: Supplements for Mental Health
I am a psychotherapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and Certified Mental Health and Nutrition Clinical Specialist (CMNCS) who takes a holistic, neuroscience-based approach to mental health.
I integrate psychology, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies to support clients in identifying root causes of emotional distress: from gut health to hormone shifts to nervous system overload. Through my practice at Traveling Light Counseling, I offer concierge services for neurodiverse individuals, couples, and those seeking integrative support.
Curious about how your nutrition and nervous system may be affecting your emotional well-being? Explore services or schedule a session today.
