Dungeons & Dragons Is Neurodivergent as Hell and May Actually Be Therapy

On this episode of Clinically Awkward, I sit down with Michigan therapist Riann Tennyson to talk about Dungeons & Dragons through a neurodivergent lens — and why so many of us with ADHD and autism are a little too obsessed with playing pretend. We get into how D&D's mix of structure and chaos scratches a very specific ADHD itch, why character creation is basically a hyperfixation delivery system, how campaigns can become an accidental safe space for processing trauma and exploring identity, and why trying out different outcomes in a fantasy world is actually a pretty legitimate coping skill. We also cover late diagnosis, dice as fidget toys, the gender dynamics of D&D culture, how to get started when you have no friends who play yet, and why your expensive dice collection is not a problem. Riann Tennyson is a therapist practicing in Monroe, Michigan specializing in neurodivergence and late-diagnosed adults. Find her practice at Make Your Turn. If you're an adult looking for therapy in New York, find me at alyssazimmerman.com. 00:00 Dungeons & Dragons Is Neurodivergent as Hell and May Actually Be Therapy 03:43 From Terrified to Hyperfixated 07:26 Building Your Alter Ego (ADHD Style) 12:13 Dice as Fidget Toys & Organized Chaos 16:04 What If I Just Do It Impuslively But Fake? 19:56 Breaking Stereotypes (No Satan Worship Here) 25:20 When Your Character Reveals Your Therapy Homework 32:58 Fidgeting, Hyperfocus & The 10-Minute Chaos Rule 39:57 How to Find Your Party (Literally) 44:37 D&D vs Magic: It's About the Space, Not the Game 48:06 You Were Never Too Much 49:23 Find Your D&D Therapist