10/12/2026
Today, on Masking Monday,
we're going to look at BEHAVIOR as a mask,
to recognize that the words we say or the actions we engage in
may in fact NOT be as obvious as we think they are,
especially when what is under the mask is a bid for connection in order to feel safety.
___________
I've been trying to find the video from catieosauras to share with you regarding ADHD and the way societal-neurodivergent trauma impacts us. (A Bee.In.Harmony term, Catie only referred to it as good old "trauma.")
There's an interesting statement she made about ADHD brains looking to feel safe that really clicked and spun
Not one...
Not two...
But THREE potential BEE theories I wish neurodivergent researchers would look more deeply into if they haven't already.
___________
We already know that "ADHDers seek dopamine through novelty / interest / intensity, etc."...
But in particular I find very interesting the idea that it may be the case that
if the ADHD brain is not receiving an active "I am safe here" signal,
ADHDers, in combination with societal-neurodivergent trauma,
may be seeking that signal.
___________
Where my brain started shooting off is to look at some potential "HOW's",
and in doing so I recognize that these theories can absolutely apply to many other neurotypes.
We're especially going to see these theories and concepts play out for:
- ADHDers
- people with BPD
- autistics
- dyspraxics / apraxics
- non-speakers
- sensory-seekers
- traumatized people
___________
Biting, tussling, cute aggression, etc.
The mindset of
"pay attention to me",
because
"if attention HAS to be on me and it is good attention, then I must be safe"
___________
Ridiculous, abstract, out of reality questions like, "Would you love me if I was an ant?"
Because perhaps
"if I ask a ridiculous question and you play along with me or answer me lovingly,
then I know I'm in a safe space for either play or love,
which reaffirms or creates connection."
___________
S*x
On its own, it can be affirming for connection, but usually we have thousands of other mindsets wrapped up around s*x and it's these additional ones we really have to watch out for.
The idea that "s*x is connection" CAN exist, but this is so simplistic and riddled with holes if combined with any of the following toxic or factually incorrect mindsets:
- if I'm engaged in s*x with you I am automatically connected with / to you
- s*x cannot be engaged in the presence of certain emotions like anger
- s*x means presently engaged; if the body is engaged then the mind is engaged
- if the mind is engaged in s*x, then the body must also be engaged in s*x
- attraction = consent
- attraction = love (and therefore lack of s*xual attraction = lack of love)
- lack of attraction in the moment = lack of s*xual attraction at all
- partners are required to give each other s*xual attention
- s*xual spaces are not safe spaces, or engaging in a s*xual space does not mean we have to engage in safe s*xual practices
- being in a relationship automatically means implied consent
.. The list goes on. If you want more, ask me in the comments, it's huge!!
___________
The point is,
if you've been relying on s*x for connection,
there are probably a lot of other unhealthy mindsets impacting your ability to have a healthy relationship,
whether it's with your partner or even other loved ones you don't have a s*xual relationship with at all!
___________
Some of us have learned to self-therapize,
either as a result of the above methods and bids going continuously ignored or misunderstood,
and/or because many of us are also autistic which means we may ask more directly.
___________
Asking for Co-regulation
"Can you play a game with me?"
"Can you read me a story?"
"Can you massage me in a particular way or area?"
"Can we go watch our comfort show?"
"Can you make / we eat a comfort snack?"
"Can we go do our ritualistic event / meetup / celebration / destination?"
What's happening in the psychological component:
"I don't currently feel safe with you, but if you engage with me in a pre-agreed upon way that we both know are OUR natural patterns we've established,
I will feel safer through experiencing consistency."
___________
Asking for Physical Connection
"I need a hug"
"I need deep pressure."
"I need light strokes"
"I need a tight squeeze."
"I need you to push me on the swing."
The mindset behind seeking connection through these methods could be many things, including
"I feel
lost,
lacking grounding,
lacking security,
isolated,
disconnected,
disassociated,
depersonalized,"
Etc.
Basically in these cases,
"my body is telling me I am not safe,"
and I can seek relief by being held close and relaxing into your breathing or your presence...
___________
But what else do we FEEL when we are held by another person??
"I can feel you hold the tension for my fascia, muscles, and ligaments, which will allow me to relax the cellular tension I am continuously holding, and I will feel safe"...
Which leads me to a second BEE theory:
"Do people who experience EDS in fact experience higher somatic anxiety
BECAUSE on a cellular level
we are trying to maintain our bodies from collapsing??"
___________
Which is what led me further down the rabbit hole about my own experiences.
For me very specifically, I melt when my partner massages my face;
Here, the hidden mindset is
"you can't be mad at me if you're touching my face because if you care about me
because you have to navigate my eyes, nose, and mouth carefully if you care about me".
Now for me, I'm 99.99999% sure EDS is a factor, so the second BEE theory holds...
But I also know I'm dyspraxic. How could that factor in?
___________
Now announcing 🎺 a THIRD BEE Theory!!
"Is EDS and how it affects fascia something that should be considered when looking at dyspraxia, particularly verbal dyspraxia?"
What if the signals needed to galvanize those muscles into action
NEED to be sent out stronger or more frequently,
so the very act OF moving requires more energy and effort by the brain, let alone the muscles...
Which means people with dyspraxia
- looking heavily at autistics & AuDHDers -
are PRESERVING their energy when not speaking with the world?
That those who "struggle with executive functioning"
aren't only struggling because of ADHD task paralysis or autistic inertia,
but rather these events are
defense mechanisms helping these neurodivergents
PRESERVE energy that will otherwise be needed to move, to engage, to live???
___________
These last two theories in particular, I want to see more research conducted so people can understand we are
NOT
"just being lazy",
that our brains really are working overtime,
mentally and physically managing our existence with significantly more effort.