Understanding Fear: How Like Minds Peer Coaches Help Neurodivergent Individuals Manage Overwhelming Fear

Fear is a fundamental human emotion designed to protect us from harm. It is our brain’s built-in alarm system, activating when we perceive a threat. However, for neurodivergent individuals—those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and other spectrum-related conditions—this system can become overactive, leading to intense, often overwhelming fear responses.

At Like Minds, our peer coaches help individuals understand the mechanisms of fear, accept it as a natural process, and develop strategies to moderate it. When managed correctly, fear can return to its original, useful intent—keeping us safe without controlling our lives.

The Science Behind Fear and Neurodivergence

Fear is primarily regulated by the amygdala, an almond-shaped structure deep in the brain. Research has shown that individuals with autism often have hyperactive or enlarged amygdalae, leading to heightened fear responses.

A study by Dr. Richard Davidson and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, found that people with ASD tend to shy away from eye contact due to hyperactivation of the amygdala. Their research, published in Archives of General Psychiatry (2006), involved MRI scans and eye-tracking tests on individuals with and without ASD. The study revealed that those with a smaller amygdala took significantly longer to identify facial emotions and spent much less time looking at others' eyes, a key element of social interaction.

Interestingly, other studies suggest that some children with autism start with an abnormally enlarged amygdala, possibly due to social fear triggering hyperactivity. Over time, constant overstimulation might lead to neuronal damage and shrinkage of the amygdala. This could explain why some older individuals with ASD show reduced amygdala volume and impaired social processing.

Understanding these neurological differences allows us to approach fear not as an enemy, but as a deeply ingrained response that can be managed with the right tools and awareness.

Hyperactive Prediction-Making and the Fear Response

One reason neurodivergent individuals experience heightened fear is their brain’s tendency toward hyperactive prediction-making.

The human brain is a prediction machine. It constantly assesses patterns and tries to anticipate future events. In neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with ASD and ADHD, this function can become overactive. They may fixate on potential dangers, no matter how unlikely, leading to a state of chronic anxiety. The brain perceives threats everywhere, making it difficult to distinguish between real dangers and imagined ones.

Simon Baron-Cohen, in his book The Pattern Seekers, discusses how individuals with ASD often engage in hyper-systemization—the tendency to detect patterns and make rigid predictions based on them. While this trait can be beneficial in problem-solving and innovation, it can also contribute to an overactive fear response. The brain may become stuck in loops of fearful anticipation, seeing worst-case scenarios in everyday situations.

The Role of Routine in Managing Fear

One of the most effective ways to moderate fear in neurodivergent individuals is through structured routines. Routines provide a sense of predictability, reducing the brain’s need to constantly assess and anticipate potential threats.

At Like Minds, our peer coaches help clients establish and maintain routines that promote stability and confidence. Simple daily structures, such as regular sleep schedules, consistent meal times, and structured social interactions, can significantly reduce anxiety.

Additionally, we encourage mindfulness practices, cognitive behavioral techniques, and exposure therapy to help clients reframe fear responses. By gradually exposing individuals to feared situations in a controlled manner, they can learn that not all anticipated threats are real, and fear can be de-escalated over time.

Acceptance: Turning Fear into a Tool for Growth

Fear, when understood and managed properly, can be a powerful tool for self-awareness and growth. Instead of trying to eliminate fear entirely, our approach at Like Minds focuses on acceptance. By acknowledging that fear is a natural part of life, individuals can learn to work with it rather than against it.

Acceptance means recognizing that fear is not inherently bad. It is simply a signal—one that can be listened to without being controlled by it. Neurodivergent individuals can develop strategies to distinguish between real threats and unnecessary anxieties, allowing them to harness fear as a motivator rather than a barrier.

Fear is a natural and essential function of the human brain. However, in neurodivergent individuals, it can become overwhelming due to hyperactive prediction-making, an overactive amygdala, and difficulties in social processing. By understanding the neurological underpinnings of fear and implementing structured coping strategies, neurodivergent individuals can learn to manage their responses effectively.

At Like Minds, our peer coaches help clients embrace their fear, establish routines, and reframe their thinking. Through education, self-awareness, and structured support, individuals can restore fear to its rightful place—as a helpful, not paralyzing, force in their lives.

By shifting from fear-driven avoidance to mindful engagement, neurodivergent individuals can reclaim control and move toward a life of confidence and balance.