In recent years the language of autism and ADHD has moved from clinical psychology into mainstream culture.
What was once a narrow medical diagnosis has expanded into a broad identity category embraced by millions online.
But what explains this sudden rise?
In this episode of Counterflow, Buck Johnson is joined by psychiatrist and writer Dr. Hannah Spier to explore the cultural, psychological, and social forces behind the modern "neurodivergence" movement.
Drawing from her widely discussed essays on autism, identity, and modern narcissism, Dr. Spier argues that the explosion of neurodivergent identity may say as much about modern culture as it does about mental health.
Together they discuss the expansion of autism diagnoses, the rise of self-diagnosis through social media, and the growing tendency to frame personality traits and social difficulties through psychological labels.
The conversation also explores how modern identity culture, social media validation, and new expressions of covert narcissism may be contributing to the neurodivergence boom.
Finally, Buck and Dr. Spier examine a deeper question: what happens to a culture when mental illness becomes identity?

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