The Shadow Side of Manifestation: Why It Can Be Unhealthy for Neurodivergent People (and Others)
Manifestation is everywhere these days. From Instagram influencers touting their "dream lives" to self-help gurus promising abundance and success, the idea that we can shape our reality through positive thinking and focused intention has become a cultural phenomenon. But while the concept of manifestation can be empowering for some, it's crucial to examine its potential downsides, especially for neurodivergent individuals and those who have experienced trauma.
This guide delves into why the popularized notion of manifestation can be problematic, even harmful, for certain populations. We'll explore how it can clash with the lived experiences of neurodivergent people, potentially exacerbating existing challenges and creating a breeding ground for self-blame. We'll also examine how the concept can be damaging to victims of natural disasters, violent crimes, and other traumatic events, adding insult to injury by implying they are somehow responsible for their own suffering.
Neurodivergence and Manifestation: A Mismatch?
Neurodiversity encompasses a wide range of neurological differences, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and sensory processing sensitivity. While neurodivergent individuals possess unique strengths and perspectives, they also often face specific challenges that can make navigating a world built for neurotypical brains difficult. These challenges can include:
Executive dysfunction: Difficulties with planning, organization, time management, and impulse control can make it challenging to break down goals into manageable steps and maintain motivation over time, both of which are often emphasized in manifestation practices.
Sensory sensitivities: Heightened sensitivity to light, sound, touch, or other sensory input can lead to overwhelm and meltdowns, making it difficult to maintain the focused attention and positive mindset often promoted by manifestation proponents.
Social anxiety and rejection sensitivity: Difficulties with social interaction and a heightened fear of rejection can make it challenging to put oneself "out there" and pursue goals that involve social interaction, a common component of manifestation practices aimed at achieving success or attracting relationships.
Increased likelihood of experiencing trauma and abuse: Due to factors like social isolation, bullying, and communication differences, neurodivergent individuals are statistically more likely to experience trauma and abuse. This can have a profound impact on their sense of self, their ability to trust others, and their capacity to believe in their own agency.
So, where does manifestation fit into this picture? The problem lies in the core tenets of popularized manifestation, which often clash with the lived realities of neurodivergent individuals.
"Good Vibes Only": Manifestation often emphasizes maintaining a positive mindset and focusing on desired outcomes. While optimism can be helpful, this "toxic positivity" can invalidate the very real struggles and emotions that neurodivergent people experience. It can create pressure to suppress or deny difficult feelings like anxiety, frustration, or sadness, hindering genuine emotional processing and self-acceptance. For someone with autism who experiences meltdowns, being told to simply "think positive" can feel dismissive and invalidating.
The Illusion of Control: The idea that we can attract what we want through focused intention can create a false sense of control and responsibility. For neurodivergent individuals who may already struggle with executive function, emotional regulation, or social challenges, this can lead to self-blame when things don't go as planned. It reinforces the idea that they are not trying hard enough or that their "negative" thoughts are to blame for their difficulties. For example, someone with ADHD who struggles to maintain focus might internalize the message that they are failing to manifest their desires because they are not "disciplined" enough.
Ignoring Systemic Barriers: Manifestation often focuses on individual willpower and the "law of attraction." While personal agency is important, this emphasis can overshadow the very real systemic barriers that neurodivergent people face. Discrimination in the workplace, lack of accessible education, and societal stigma are not things that can be simply "manifested" away. Ignoring these factors places undue burden on the individual and can lead to feelings of shame and inadequacy. For instance, a person with a disability might be told they can manifest employment, but the reality is that ableism and lack of accommodations create significant obstacles.
Manifestation and Trauma: Adding Insult to Injury
Trauma is unfortunately prevalent among neurodivergent individuals. Due to factors like social isolation, bullying, and communication differences, they are at a higher risk of experiencing abuse, neglect, and other forms of trauma. Trauma can deeply impact a person's sense of safety, trust, and self-worth, making it even more challenging to navigate the world and believe in their ability to create positive change.
In this context, the concept of manifestation can be particularly harmful. It can:
Reinforce self-blame: Telling trauma survivors that they are responsible for attracting their experiences can be deeply invalidating and retraumatizing. It reinforces the idea that they somehow "manifested" their abuse or that they could have prevented it if they had just been more positive or had higher "vibrations." Imagine a survivor of sexual assault being told that they attracted the assault because they weren't "manifesting" strong enough boundaries. This is not only insensitive but also perpetuates a dangerous myth that places the blame on the victim.
Discourage emotional processing: The emphasis on positive thinking can discourage trauma survivors from processing their pain and grief. It can create a sense of shame around "negative" emotions like anger, fear, or sadness, hindering the healing process. Trauma recovery often involves acknowledging and processing difficult emotions, not suppressing them in the pursuit of positivity.
Trigger feelings of powerlessness: When faced with overwhelming challenges like the aftermath of a natural disaster or a violent crime, the idea of manifestation can feel like a cruel joke. It can trigger feelings of powerlessness, helplessness, and despair, as survivors grapple with the reality that they had no control over what happened. Telling someone who lost their home in a hurricane that they should have "manifested" a stronger house adds insult to injury and ignores the complex factors that contribute to such tragedies.
The Broader Impact: When Manifestation Becomes Harmful
The potential harm of manifestation extends beyond the neurodivergent community. It can be equally damaging in other contexts, such as:
Natural disasters: Blaming victims of natural disasters for not manifesting "better" circumstances is not only insensitive but also ignores the complex factors that contribute to such events. It places the burden of responsibility on individuals who are already suffering, rather than addressing systemic issues like climate change, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of disaster preparedness.
Violent crime: Suggesting that survivors of violent crime could have prevented their attack through manifestation is deeply offensive and victim-blaming. It ignores the reality of power dynamics, predatory behavior, and systemic injustices that contribute to violence. It places the onus on the victim to have somehow "manifested" a different outcome, rather than holding the perpetrator accountable.
Chronic illness: Implying that people can simply "manifest" their way to health is not only unrealistic but also dismissive of the very real challenges and limitations that chronic illnesses pose. It can create a sense of false hope and lead to self-blame when people inevitably experience setbacks. Imagine someone with a chronic pain condition being told they can simply "manifest" their pain away. This ignores the complex biological and psychological factors that contribute to chronic pain and can create a sense of hopelessness when manifestation fails.
Promoting manifestation in these contexts is ethically questionable and can have serious consequences. It can perpetuate harmful stereotypes, discourage people from seeking professional help, and create a culture of victim-blaming.
Alternatives to Manifestation: Healthier Approaches
Instead of relying solely on the concept of manifestation, there are alternative frameworks that offer more nuanced and supportive approaches to well-being, especially for neurodivergent individuals and trauma survivors:
Self-compassion: Cultivating self-compassion involves treating yourself with kindness and understanding, especially during difficult times. It means acknowledging your struggles without judgment and recognizing that you are worthy of love and support, regardless of your circumstances. This can be particularly helpful for neurodivergent individuals who may internalize societal messages of inadequacy or for trauma survivors who may struggle with self-blame.
Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It can help to reduce anxiety, increase self-awareness, and foster a sense of groundedness. For neurodivergent individuals who may experience sensory overload or racing thoughts, mindfulness can offer a valuable tool for managing their inner experience.
Community care: Building strong connections with others and engaging in mutual aid can provide a sense of belonging, support, and shared responsibility. It recognizes that we are not alone in our struggles and that collective action can create positive change. This can be particularly empowering for neurodivergent individuals who may experience social isolation or for trauma survivors who may struggle with trust and connection.
Social justice: Advocating for social justice and systemic change addresses the root causes of inequality and injustice. It recognizes that individual well-being is intertwined with the well-being of the community and that collective action is necessary to create a more just and equitable world. This can be especially important for neurodivergent individuals who face systemic discrimination and for trauma survivors who may have been harmed by systems of oppression.
These approaches offer a more holistic and empowering path to well-being. They emphasize self-acceptance, community support, and working towards a more just and equitable world, rather than placing the sole burden of responsibility on the individual.
Conclusion
While the concept of manifestation can be appealing, it's crucial to approach it with critical thinking and consider its potential downsides. For neurodivergent
Sources and related content individuals and trauma survivors, the emphasis on positive thinking, individual willpower, and the "law of attraction" can be invalidating, harmful, and even retraumatizing. It can set unrealistic expectations, amplify self-blame, and discourage individuals from seeking professional support or acknowledging the impact of systemic barriers.
Promoting manifestation in the context of natural disasters, violent crimes, and chronic illnesses is ethically questionable and can perpetuate victim-blaming. It's essential to recognize that these are complex issues with multifaceted causes and that individuals are not solely responsible for their circumstances. Placing the burden of responsibility on individuals who are already struggling can be incredibly damaging and can prevent them from accessing the support and resources they need.
Instead of relying solely on manifestation, we can cultivate healthier approaches to well-being that emphasize self-compassion, mindfulness, community care, and social justice. These approaches offer a more nuanced and empowering path to healing and transformation, recognizing that true well-being comes from within and from our connection to others. They acknowledge the importance of self-acceptance, realistic goal-setting, and collective action in creating positive change.
By challenging the uncritical promotion of manifestation and offering alternative frameworks, we can create a more inclusive and supportive space for neurodivergent individuals and trauma survivors to thrive. We can foster a culture that values authenticity, vulnerability, and collective responsibility, empowering individuals to navigate their challenges with compassion and resilience.
Resources
Books:
"The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk (trauma) https://amzn.to/3YYYqmK
"Divergent Mind" by Jenara Nerenberg (neurodiversity) https://amzn.to/3YKGFGz
"Self-Compassion" by Kristin Neff (self-compassion) https://amzn.to/48PJjiY
"The Highly Sensitive Person" by Elaine Aron (sensory processing sensitivity) https://amzn.to/4hJc8Bu
"Unmasking Autism" by Devon Price (autism) https://amzn.to/40GgJhR
"Driven to Distraction" by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey (ADHD) https://amzn.to/3ULbjhQ
Organizations:
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (neurodiversity): https://autisticadvocacy.org/
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) (mental health support): https://www.nami.org/
The Trauma Resource Institute (trauma): https://www.traumaresourceinstitute.com/
The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) (disability rights): https://www.ndrn.org/
Websites and Online Communities:
Neuroclastic (neurodiversity): https://neuroclastic.com/
The Mighty (mental health and disability): https://themighty.com/
Neurodivergent Magick & Spirituality Facebook: https://bit.ly/3YDcGQV
Call to Action
What are your thoughts on the concept of manifestation? Have you experienced its benefits or drawbacks? Share your experiences and perspectives in the comments below. Let's engage in open dialogue and critical thinking about popular self-help trends to ensure they are truly supportive and inclusive for all.
If you are a neurodivergent individual or a trauma survivor who has been harmed by the concept of manifestation, please know that you are not alone. There are resources and communities available to support you. Reach out, connect with others, and remember that your worth is inherent, regardless of your circumstances.
