The Silent Struggle: How Neurodivergent Men Experience Mental Stress After Car Accidents and Sling Injuries
Wednesday, January, 29., 2025. I received an emergency call that one of my neurodivergent clients was injured in Europe. This is for E & J. Talk soon.
When a car accident or sling accident occurs, the focus is often on the immediate physical injuries—broken bones, whiplash, concussions.
But for neurodivergent men, the aftermath can involve an entirely different and often overlooked kind of suffering: the predictable, yet misunderstood, mental stress that follows trauma.
Neurodivergent folks—those with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, or other neurological differences—tend to experience stress responses in ways that differ from neuro-normative folks.
When their bodies endure a sudden physical injury, their minds often enter a heightened state of distress, struggling with sensory overload, emotional dysregulation, and disruptions to their established routines.
The Mental Toll of Physical Trauma on Neurodivergent Men
Sensory Overload and Pain Processing
Many neurodivergent men have atypical pain processing mechanisms. Some experience heightened sensitivity to pain (hyperesthesia), while others may struggle to recognize or appropriately respond to injuries (hypoesthesia).
A car accident, with its flashing lights, sirens, and physical trauma, can trigger a sensory storm that lingers long after the event itself.
Studies have shown that folks with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have unique pain modulation, often exhibiting either exaggerated or diminished responses to pain (Allely, 2013). This variability in pain perception can lead to misdiagnosis and ineffective pain management, compounding distress and delaying recovery (Failla et al., 2020).
Disruption to Routine and Sense of Control
Routine and predictability are often essential for neurodivergent folks. An accident disrupts carefully constructed structures—work schedules, exercise routines, self-care habits. The loss of control over one’s own body due to injury can compound the stress, leading to heightened anxiety, shutdowns, or depressive episodes.
A study by Kerns et al. (2015) found that men with ASD who experience major disruptions may develop stress-related disorders at higher rates than neurotypical folks.
This is due to heightened intolerance of uncertainty and difficulties in adjusting to new situations. Furthermore, the loss of independence post-accident is linked to increased depressive symptoms, particularly among adults with ADHD (Biederman et al., 2006).
Hypervigilance and PTSD Risks
Many neurodivergent folks already experience high baseline levels of anxiety. The trauma of a car crash or a sling injury can push that anxiety into overdrive, leading to hypervigilance—an intense and ongoing sense of fear, even in safe environments. They may replay the accident repeatedly in their minds, struggle to sleep due to heightened alertness, or avoid transportation altogether.
Research indicates that PTSD symptoms are more prevalent in those with ASD and ADHD following traumatic events. One study found that 32% of autistic adults met criteria for PTSD after experiencing a significant accident, compared to 14% of neuro-normative folks (Rumball et al., 2020). Similarly, adults with ADHD are at a heightened risk for PTSD due to difficulties in emotional regulation and impulse control (Antshel et al., 2017).
How to Support Neurodivergent Men in Recovery
Recognizing Emotional Responses as Valid
One of the most harmful experiences neurodivergent men face post-accident is having their stress downplayed or dismissed.
Caregivers, medical professionals, and even loved ones may say things like, "It’s just a car accident, you’ll be fine." But for someone with heightened sensory sensitivity and emotional regulation challenges, recovery is not just about physical healing—it’s about feeling safe again.
Structured Recovery Plans
Given the importance of routine, neurodivergent men benefit greatly from structured recovery plans. These should include:
Clear, written instructions on pain management and physical therapy
A predictable schedule for medical appointments
Communication strategies tailored to their needs (e.g., written instructions instead of verbal explanations)
Allowances for sensory-friendly environments during hospital visits and rehabilitation sessions
Trauma-Informed Therapy
Standard talk therapy may not be enough for neurodivergent folks processing trauma. Therapists trained in neurodivergence-friendly approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) adapted for autism or ADHD, can help these men reframe their trauma and regain a sense of safety and agency.
Sensory Regulation Tools
Providing sensory-friendly coping mechanisms can make a world of difference. These may include:
Noise-canceling headphones to reduce auditory overload
Weighted blankets to provide grounding and reduce anxiety
Fidget tools or sensory toys to manage stress responses
Gentle physical therapy approaches that avoid overstimulation
Best Practices for Neurodiverse Wives Supporting Their Partners
Practicing Patience and Understanding When it’s Hard to Do So.
It’s important for neurodiverse wives to recognize that their husband’s recovery process may not align with typical expectations.
His reactions to pain, stress, or changes in routine may seem disproportionate, but they are valid. Offering reassurance, rather than pressuring him to "move on," can foster a sense of security.
Providing Clear and Predictable Communication
Many neurodivergent men struggle with processing verbal communication under stress.
Providing written schedules, checklists, or step-by-step explanations can ease the mental load. Avoiding ambiguous language and offering direct, concrete support is key.
Helping Maintain a Routine
Where possible, assisting in maintaining a sense of routine—such as keeping consistent meal times, assisting with task prioritization, or setting gentle reminders—can reduce feelings of chaos and instability.
Encouraging Self-Advocacy and Medical Support
Helping a partner navigate the medical system can be overwhelming.
Encouraging self-advocacy by supporting clear communication with doctors, attending medical appointments together, and advocating for sensory-friendly accommodations can make the process less distressing.
Offering Sensory-Friendly Comfort
Providing weighted blankets, creating quiet spaces, and limiting unnecessary sensory input during high-stress moments can prevent meltdowns or shutdowns. Small adjustments—like dimming lights, avoiding strong scents, or reducing background noise—can create a more comfortable healing environment.
Final Thoughts: Compassion and Understanding
When a neurodivergent man experiences a car accident or sling injury, his body is not the only thing that needs healing—his mind, his sense of safety, and his place in the world need restoration, too.
The key to helping these folks is not just medical intervention but compassionate, informed support that acknowledges their unique experiences.
By recognizing the predictable mental stress some neurodivergent men may face post-injury and providing tailored support, we can ensure they are given the right tools to recover fully—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Allely, C. S. (2013). Pain sensitivity and autism spectrum disorder: A review. Autism, 17(2), 131-137. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361312437090
Antshel, K. M., Hargrave, T. M., Simonescu, M., Kaul, A., Hendricks, K., & Faraone, S. V. (2017). Posttraumatic stress disorder in adults with ADHD: Clinical features and treatment implications. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 78(2), 185-193. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.16m10776
Biederman, J., Faraone, S. V., Spencer, T. J., Wilens, T. E., Mick, E., & Lelon, E. (2006). Functional impairments in adults with self-reports of diagnosed ADHD. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 67(2), 199-206. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.v67n0202
Failla, M. D., Moana-Filho, E. J., Essick, G. K., Baranek, G. T., Rogers, B. P., & Cascio, C. J. (2020). Pain sensory processing in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Research, 13(3), 412-421. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2246
Kerns, C. M., Newschaffer, C. J., & Berkowitz, S. J. (2015). Traumatic childhood experiences and posttraumatic stress disorder in youth with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 3475–3486. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2499-1
Rumball, F., Happé, F., & Grey, N. (2020). Experience of trauma and PTSD symptoms in autistic adults: Risk and protective factors. Autism, 24(3), 586-599. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361319875426