Mental Health

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The Misdiagnosis Loop: What Happens When You Don’t Fit the Diagnostic Template

"The Misdiagnosis Loop explains why so many non-stereotypical neurodivergent people are misread or overlooked. From culturally-atypical presentations to masking and systemic misrecognition, Dr Miriam unpacks how outdated diagnostic frameworks fail to see those who don't fit the expected mould. This excerpt from her forthcoming book, The New Normal, calls for a shift towards frameworks that truly listen and understand."

Dr Miriam Mavia-Zając

Apr 283 min read

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When Systems Live in Us: Embodiment, Internalisation, and the Invisible Weight of Misrecognition.

Internalisation, and the Invisible Weight of Misrecognition. About This Series: The New Normal by Dr Miriam This ongoing series—The New...

Dr Miriam Mavia-Zając

Apr 255 min read

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A young neurodivergent woman stands quietly, holding a coffee cup, as two supportive peers gently place their hands on her shoulders. Her expression is thoughtful, capturing the complex emotions of being seen and validated after experiences of misrecognition. The warm, informal setting suggests a safe space for connection and belonging.

A young neurodivergent woman stands quietly, holding a coffee cup, as two supportive peers gently place their hands on her shoulders. Her expression is thoughtful, capturing the complex emotions of being seen and validated after experiences of misrecognition. The warm, informal setting suggests a safe space for connection and belonging.

When Connection Misfires: Relational Ruptures in the Misdiagnosed and Missed.

Excerpt from “The New Normal” by Dr Miriam

Dr Miriam Mavia-Zając

Apr 183 min read

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A flat-style digital illustration shows two individuals sitting across from each other in a therapy setting. One figure, appearing thoughtful and slightly withdrawn, sits on a chair with hands folded. The other figure, a therapist, leans forward attentively with a notepad in hand. Between them is a soft, glowing connection symbolising empathy and understanding. The background features abstract shapes and muted tones, suggesting complexity and emotion. The image represents relational rupture and repair in therapeutic contexts, reflecting themes from the blog "When Connection Misfires."

A flat-style digital illustration shows two individuals sitting across from each other in a therapy setting. One figure, appearing thoughtful and slightly withdrawn, sits on a chair with hands folded. The other figure, a therapist, leans forward attentively with a notepad in hand. Between them is a soft, glowing connection symbolising empathy and understanding. The background features abstract shapes and muted tones, suggesting complexity and emotion. The image represents relational rupture and repair in therapeutic contexts, reflecting themes from the blog "When Connection Misfires."

You Don’t Own Neurodivergence – A Continuation and Clarification.

You didn’t discover us. You just learned to name us. Neurodivergence was never yours to define or to gatekeep. We were always here.

Dr Miriam Mavia-Zając

Apr 102 min read

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A photo of a bustling high street scene—people walking, lights flashing, signage everywhere—but everything is blurred except one person in the centre with noise-cancelling headphones, eyes wide, covering their ears. Focused expression: trying to stay grounded. The noise isn’t visible—it’s felt.

A photo of a bustling high street scene—people walking, lights flashing, signage everywhere—but everything is blurred except one person in the centre with noise-cancelling headphones, eyes wide, covering their ears. Focused expression: trying to stay grounded. The noise isn’t visible—it’s felt.

You Don’t Own Neurodivergence – A Reckoning, Disruption, and Reframing.

A Reckoning, Disruption, and Reframing. From the forthcoming book, "The New Normal" by Dr. Miriam. About This Series This is Part 1 of a...

Dr Miriam Mavia-Zając

Apr 84 min read

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Black Neurodivergent Professional in the Workplace: A professional Black individual with neurodivergent traits, such as using noise-canceling headphones or fidget tools, working confidently in a contemporary office environment. Colleagues are shown interacting respectfully, highlighting an inclusive workplace culture.

Black Neurodivergent Professional in the Workplace: A professional Black individual with neurodivergent traits, such as using noise-canceling headphones or fidget tools, working confidently in a contemporary office environment. Colleagues are shown interacting respectfully, highlighting an inclusive workplace culture.

Sensory Regulation and Self-Care in Adulthood.

How to protect your nervous system from overstimulation

Dr Miriam Mavia-Zając

Apr 33 min read

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A peaceful home office with soft lighting and noise-canceling headphones

A peaceful home office with soft lighting and noise-canceling headphones

Executive Dysfunction & Time Blindness- Why Just Plan Better Doesn’t Work.

Why Just Plan Better Doesn’t Work Why Just Plan Better Doesn’t Work. If I had a pound for every time someone told a neurodivergent person...

Dr Miriam Mavia-Zając

Mar 274 min read

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A young adult sits at a cluttered desk in a dimly lit room, overwhelmed. Their face shows visible frustration and exhaustion. Around them, there are scattered notebooks, an unused planner, and multiple digital devices with open reminders and notifications. An analogue clock on the wall behind them shows time passing, but their laptop screen still displays an unfinished document with a missed deadline. A countdown timer on their phone blinks red, indicating urgency. In the background, laundry remains unfolded, and dishes pile up in the sink, representing neglected tasks. The environment feels chaotic, mirroring the mental load of executive dysfunction and time blindness. The image captures the struggle of task initiation, time mismanagement, and overwhelming responsibilities, creating a realistic portrayal of how these challenges manifest in daily life.

A young adult sits at a cluttered desk in a dimly lit room, overwhelmed. Their face shows visible frustration and exhaustion. Around them, there are scattered notebooks, an unused planner, and multiple digital devices with open reminders and notifications. An analogue clock on the wall behind them shows time passing, but their laptop screen still displays an unfinished document with a missed deadline. A countdown timer on their phone blinks red, indicating urgency. In the background, laundry remains unfolded, and dishes pile up in the sink, representing neglected tasks. The environment feels chaotic, mirroring the mental load of executive dysfunction and time blindness. The image captures the struggle of task initiation, time mismanagement, and overwhelming responsibilities, creating a realistic portrayal of how these challenges manifest in daily life.

Neurodiverse You is shortlisted in the GHP Mental Health Awards 2025

Dr Miriam Mavia-Zajac and the team at Neurodiverse You have been short-listed in the 2025 GHP Mental Health Awards

Feb 41 min read

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Neurodiverse You is shortlisted in the GHP Mental Health Awards 2025

Neurodiverse You is shortlisted in the GHP Mental Health Awards 2025

Building Community and Finding Support: A Neuroaffirmative Guide for Neurodiverse Individuals

When Navigating life with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or another form of neurodiversity, finding others who understand makes a huge difference

Dr Miriam Mavia-Zając

Dec 9, 20247 min read

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Building Community and Finding Support: A Neuroaffirmative Guide for Neurodiverse Individuals

Building Community and Finding Support: A Neuroaffirmative Guide for Neurodiverse Individuals

Mental Health and Neurodiversity: A Compassionate, Neuroaffirmative Approach

For neurodiverse individuals mental health (anxiety, depression etc.) is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of well-being

Neurodivergence in Adults

Dr Miriam Mavia-Zając

Oct 31, 20246 min read

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Mental Health and Neurodiversity: A Compassionate, Neuroaffirmative Approach

Mental Health and Neurodiversity: A Compassionate, Neuroaffirmative Approach

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