Episode 126 (Season 4): Am I Still Me? Post-Diagnosis Identity Spiral

Discovering you're Autistic or ADHD as an adult can turn your whole sense of self upside down. Navigating the emotional aftermath—wondering, "Am I still me?"—often brings up more questions than answers, and can feel both destabilizing and deeply transformative.

In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, discuss the post-diagnosis identity spiral that so many neurodivergent people encounter. They break down the emotional complexities of life after self-discovery or diagnosis, exploring questions of authenticity, the role of masking, the impact of imposter syndrome, and how claiming a neurodivergent identity can shift relationships, careers, and even self-advocacy.

Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode:

1. Unpack how coming to terms with an Autism or ADHD diagnosis can impact your sense of self, relationships, career, and community—plus, get insight into navigating the uncertainty and self-doubt that often arise after discovery.
2. Learn why it’s common to experience imposter syndrome, emotional overwhelm, and a desire to "map" every experience to a diagnosis—and how to find reassurance and clarity in the midst of this complexity.
3. Hear Patrick and Megan Anna’s honest reflections on their own journeys, including how health events, career changes, and intersecting identities complicate (and enrich) the process of integrating a new neurodivergent identity.

If you’re asking yourself who you are after discovering you’re neurodivergent—or supporting someone through this kind of identity spiral—this episode offers validation, practical insights, and the reminder that you’re not alone on this journey.

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