Neurodivergent Therapy

Neurodivergence and Workplace Bullying: When the Office Becomes Unsafe

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 For many neurodivergent individuals — those with ADHD, autism, BPD, or a combination — the workplace can already feel like a minefield of sensory triggers, social ambiguity, and unspoken rules.

But when bullying enters the mix?

It becomes a place of chronic dread. A place where you mask harder, spiral faster, and leave every day with less of yourself.

Workplace bullying doesn’t always look like yelling or threats. Sometimes it’s subtle. Sometimes it’s systemic. And for neurodivergent workers, it’s heartbreakingly common — and dangerously overlooked.

🧠 Why Neurodivergent People Are Vulnerable to Workplace Bullying

1. You stand out without meaning to.
Whether it’s your tone, your pace, your need for clarity, or your directness, ND traits often don’t align with unspoken social norms. That makes you a target — not because there’s anything wrong with you, but because people fear what they don’t understand.

2. You’re more likely to be honest.
Neurodivergent folks often value authenticity. You might point out problems others ignore — or ask questions others won’t. In toxic workplaces, that’s often seen as “difficult” or “not a team player.”

3. You mask — and it costs you.
Masking drains your energy. It makes you quieter, less reactive, easier to ignore. Bullies often target those who seem unlikely to fight back or draw attention to the harm.

4. You miss the “hidden rules.”
If you’re autistic or ADHD, you might struggle with office politics or passive aggression. You might not even realize you’re being targeted — until the damage is already done.

5. You’ve already internalized being “too much.”
If you’ve been told your whole life that you’re “intense,” “weird,” or “too sensitive,” you’re more likely to blame yourself when you’re mistreated.

💬 What Workplace Bullying Can Look Like

  • You’re constantly interrupted, dismissed, or excluded from meetings
  • Coworkers roll their eyes, gossip, or mimic you
  • Your work is micromanaged or criticized unfairly
  • You’re given inconsistent feedback or expectations
  • Others take credit for your ideas — or undermine them in front of others
  • You’re isolated, left out of emails, or spoken to condescendingly
  • You’re gaslit when you bring up concerns — “It was just a joke.” “You’re too sensitive.”

It’s death by a thousand cuts. And often, the cumulative effect doesn’t become clear until your health, confidence, and energy are depleted.

⚠️ The Psychological Toll

Workplace bullying can trigger or worsen:

  • Anxiety and panic attacks
  • Depression and suicidal ideation
  • Burnout and nervous system collapse
  • Executive dysfunction and performance issues
  • Loss of self-esteem and identity
  • PTSD symptoms or trauma responses

For someone already navigating neurodivergence, this can feel like emotional whiplash: you know you’re competent, but your environment is telling you otherwise.

🧭 What You Can Do (Even If You Feel Powerless)

1. Start documenting everything.
Even subtle comments. Keep a written record with dates, details, and witnesses.

2. Trust your gut.
If it feels off, demeaning, or unsafe — it is. You don’t need permission to validate your own experience.

3. Don’t isolate.
Whether it’s a therapist, support group, or safe coworker, having someone who believes you is essential.

4. Know your rights.
You may be protected under the ADA if your neurodivergence qualifies as a disability. You may be able to request accommodations — or legal support if the bullying persists.

5. Consider an exit strategy.
It’s not always possible to report bullying safely. Sometimes the healthiest move is to begin planning your way out — before the job takes more than it’s worth.

🫶 You Deserve to Feel Safe at Work

You were not hired to endure abuse.
You are not too sensitive.
You are not imagining things.
You are not the problem.

The problem is a system that doesn’t value neurodivergent minds, needs, or boundaries — and a culture that gaslights discomfort as “office dynamics.”

You deserve better. And you’re not alone.

I help neurodivergent adults navigate workplace trauma, burnout, and identity recovery. If you’ve been bullied or broken down in a job that wasn’t built for your brain, let’s talk.