Autism & Mental Health: Anxiety, Meltdowns vs Shutdowns & What We Get Wrong
About this episode
Dr Ann Ozsivadjian discusses the complexities of mental health in neurodivergent individuals, focusing on anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and the differences between meltdowns and shutdowns.
Dr Ann Ozsivadjian, Clinical Psychologist specialising in autism, joins Ben to unpack the reality of mental health in neurodivergent children and adults - and why so much of it is misunderstood. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Ann explains how anxiety, depression and low self-esteem often sit on top of something deeper: emotional dysregulation, unmet needs and environments that don’t fit. Together, they explore how this shows up in children and the long-term impact of being misunderstood early on. They also break down the difference between meltdowns and shutdowns - what’s really happening beneath the surface, and how to respond with understanding, not judgment. Join us at hidden20.org/donate . ________ Host: Ben Branson Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné Video Editor: James Scriven Social Media Manager: Charlie Young Music: Jackson Greenberg Head of Marketing: Kristen Fuller The Hidden 20% is a charity founded by AuDHD entrepreneur, Ben Branson. Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence. No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence. 1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded…
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- Neurodivergent-Friendly Design: How to Build Spaces That Support Your Brain
- Autism, Language & Intersectionality: The Hidden Bias In Diagnosis & Support
- AuDHD Relationship Goals & The Intersection Of Neurodiversity & Gender
- ADHD Media Narratives & Misinformation: What's Really Happening?
- ADHD & Autism at Work: Masking, Burnout and What Employers Still Get Wrong
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