"Over-excitability": A more truthful and constructive perspective on neurodivergence? - Chris Wells

22 May

This week’s show is with Chris Wells. Chris Wells, PhD, LSW, is a neurodivergent writer, social worker, and Dąbrowski scholar with a passion for studying and applying the theory of positive disintegration.

Listen or watch on:

As the founding president of the Dąbrowski Center and co-host of the Positive Disintegration Podcast, Chris is dedicated to sharing knowledge and resources about this profound theory and the psychology of giftedness. Chris provides specialized consulting services to clinicians and educators internationally, delivering deep insights into positive disintegration and its practical applications. They also offer their unique blend of lived experience and professional expertise as an advocate and speaker for mental health awareness. Chris lives with their partner and teenage son in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, USA.

In this show, Chris and Lian explored the topic of ‘Over-excitability’, the body of work initially created by Dąbrowski.

They explored the concepts of over-excitability and positive disintegration in the context of neurodivergence. The theory suggests that individuals with strong over-excitabilities have the raw materials for personal growth and can experience positive disintegration, which is a breakdown of psychic structures leading to inner transformation.

Lian and Chris both shared personal experiences and insights into each type, highlighting how understanding over-excitabilities can lead to compassion and a better understanding of oneself and others.

We’d love to know what YOU think about this week’s show. Let’s carry on the conversation… please leave a comment below.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

Over-excitabilities are intense and heightened experiences in five areas: psychomotor, sensual, intellectual, imaginational, and emotional - which seem to map to different neurodivergent traits, challenges, and capabilities.
Over-excitability and positive disintegration are concepts that provide a different lens to understand neurodivergence and personal growth, and the intersection between them… in other words how neurodivergence might in itself provide a path to self-illumination, transformation and integration.
Understanding and celebrating over-excitabilities, and the unique ways they show up in individuals, can lead to compassion and a better understanding of oneself and others, and ultimately serve our journey of wholeness.

Resources and stuff spoken about:

Learn more about Positive Disintegration here: https://www.positivedisintegration.org
Listen to Positive Disintegration Podcast
Learn more about The Dąbrowski Center here: https://dabrowskicenter.org
UNIO: The Academy of Sacred Union, for the old souls in this new world… Discover your kin & unite with your soul’s calling to truly live your myth. Join HERE.

Don’t want to miss a thing?

Subscribe (BTW, it’s absolutely FREE) to the show on your favourite platform or app by clicking the relevant button below… That way you’ll receive each episode automagically straight to your device as soon as it’s released!