Anger issues with autism

Hello everybody 

I have autism and I get angry a lot does anyone else experience getting angry a lot for no good reason. 

Feed back would be good 

Thanks 

Parents
  • I think most people get angry at inanimate objects. I've yet to work with anybody that doesn't at times swear at their computer.

    What causes an angry reaction from me is sudden noise. I find I'm reacting violently before my brain has even engaged, it's a purely primal response. When the brain catches up I regain control but I've punched a couple of cars for hitting their horns next to me because of this.

    It's not nice, and I'd rather it didn't happen. Sadly it's not one of the things I'm getting better at as I get older :(

  • Have you tried noise cancelling headphones? They’re working amazingly well for me. I only got them the other day and already they’re making a great impact. It’s lile im living in another world. It’s as if the whole world slows down when I’ve got them on. 

    So I’ve figured that something happens to my brain when I hear noise that somehow makes everything go faster. For example, when I have the headphones on, cars etc are not only quieter, but slower as well. 

    It’s pretty amazing because I always felt the world went too fast for me, but now I have the headphones, it’s like it’s slowed down, to the degree that it’s no longer going too fast.

    Even the little noises in the house, that nobody but me hears, go away and it makes such a huge difference that it shows me how much pressure I was under from the noise, when I didn’t have the headphones. 

    It’s like I didn’t realise how much I was impacted by noise, until it went away. And the headphones add a layer of comfort to me physically, that I didn’t know I needed. And I discovered yesterday, at the fellowship meeting, that if I’m getting bored or whatever, I can listen to something through the headphones as well, to give me another level of serenity or something. For example, yesterday, I played a song that was in my head anyway, to see if it would act as a calmer. And it didn’t really, but I did go on to play sounds of water and nature, and that helped.

    So I’m still experimenting but so far, they have been worth the money I spent on them. And I prefer them to medication. 

  • Which headphones did you get?

  • I had a look but they're not national unfortunately.  There's not much available where I am.

    I looked at doing an OU course in psychology, but need to do a bit of saving first!  And have the free time around work etc.  

    That's really good your support worker identifying your autism traits and helping you to use them to your advantage.  That's a really good idea doing the course while you're recovering from a burnout, but knowing how far you can push yourself and when to relax and rest.  It's giving you a well needed rest but also something positive to focus on :)  Sounds like it's going really well too which is brilliant.  I wish you the best of luck with it, and looking forward to hearing more about it!

  • I’m a bit tired so can’t think how you send messages but my settings are set to receive messages from anyone and you can make a friend request as well. 

    Autism Plus are a national (I think) specialist support organisation, so I get one to one weekly support. It’s really good. 

    Being a child psychologist sounds like a great idea and as autistic people, we are often very good at research. I’m also adhd, which I understand can also be a really good thing, so we can definitely use it to our advantage. I think you’d be great working in this area. Trauma can destroy a person’s life or it can be transformed into something amazing. You could totally do it. 

    The course is going well. I’m on week 3 and it is 12 weeks long (I think). There’s plenty of info to take in etc but it’s not too much. I’ve got time to process it all as I go along. I’m playing with getting a balance between work/study and not working and so far it’s trial and error but it’s easier with the specialist support. For example, she was able to point out that what I’m dealing with is classic autism obsession and she is able to give me tips on how to manage this. I want to be able to do this before I actually start work, as a kind of insurance policy against burnout. So I’m taking my time with it, because this is something I want to get right. I’ve really benefited from this burnout but I don’t want another! 

    I trust you will have a restful weekend. We tend to need lots of good quality rest, so I’m working on that too. I only got diagnosed 15 months ago so I’m not in any rush. I’m taking things at a slow pace but things are shaping up slowly. 

    Have a lovely weekend :) 

  • Apologies for late reply, I’ve had really full on and pretty stressful week.  

    And yeah I’m kind of looking forward to the access to work support worker being arranged.  I want to continue in my job.  What’s autism plus? 

    Well done for getting the second video done :-) how much have you got done and how’s it been going over the last few days? 

    Everything with the course you’re doing sounds so interesting.  When my gp said to me about autism and adhd I was completely thrown, but reading up on it has become really fascinating.  So I can see how you’ve got so engrossed in learning about it all and something that can help others.  When I was younger I wanted to be a child psychologist, or in researching child development or helping kids that had been through trauma.  

    Ill think of a nickname and change it on here!  I was going to send you a PM but I’m not sure how you do it.  I’m absolutely shattered tonight so it’s probably really obvious and I’m just not seeing it.  

  • I’m glad you’ve got support with the work thing and it all sounds positive. I’m getting support from autism plus and they’re so good. It makes such a huge difference when we have somebody who knows what they’re talking about so I think it’s gonna work out for you. But that doesn’t stop you venturing into other things at some point, and having a steady job that you enjoy will give you more time to dream :) 

    And YaY ~ I got my second video completed today and I loved doing it. I got a new assignment today so I can get started on that from fresh now. 

    I’m getting really excited about teaching the course now because it’s going to help so many people. It doesn’t matter if the person is autistic or not because it works at soul level but it can be understood and practiced by anybody who is open to it. I did all this training prior to my autism diagnosis and I realise now, why I’ve been able to process the diagnosis so well, and it’s because of all the work I did prior to diagnosis. So I know this stuff works with autistic people as well. It’s basically a practical, quick and direct route back to our true nature of joy, love, peace and fulfilment :) 

    I know it feels like a horrible situation at work, because you’re in the thick of it, but with the union rep and now access to work on your side,  it will work out. The government are very keen to make work more accessible for people with autism, and access to work have loads of experience with lots of positive results. I’ve got a good feeling it’s going well and it will work out in the very best way for you.

    I reckon I’ll be teaching my first course by the end of May, or June, but not sure if it’ll be online at that point. But I’ll keel you posted. 

    Can you think of a nickname for on here as I won’t remember your NAS number? 

    Good luck with work, and thanks for asking about my homework. 

  • This work situation is pretty horrible.  They boast about their diversity and equality at work policies, but in practice things got so much worse after disclosing about autism and adhd.  I have a union rep, and been approved access to work support, so I'm hoping that starts asap.  They might be able to offer some advise as they know about autism and the common struggles people face.

    That course sounds so interesting!  I'm exhausted this evening but going to read up on it properly tomorrow.  It sounds fascinating.  If I do lose my job I may look into doing some courses to get into support work.  Or go back to what I was doing before this role.  That would be a bit of a step backwards though.  I'm hoping to keep this job because given the opportunity I can do it and quite like it.  

    Hope you managed the second recording!  I really struggle with my photo being taken or recording myself, audio or video, so I think it's awesome you got the first recording done!  And yes it sounds like something I'd be interested in when you run the first online course, definitely.

  • I’m sorry to hear about your work situation. It seems like a lot of places would be happier if they had robots working for them as they often forget that humans aren’t robots and that they will at times be impacted by life events etc. I hope it works out well for you. Have you got anybody in your corner? 

    The course I’m currently learning is a course I’ll be teaching. It will be called an introduction to self awareness. It will be taught over 15 hours and I will be teaching it as an online course.m as well as an off line course. From that, if people want to take it further, I will then be teaching the next course which is the Metapyisics foundation course. From that a person can do two more courses and then if they want to teach this stuff themselves or be a metaphysical practitioner, which is a transformational metaphysical counsellor, they can do the practitioner course. It’s like counselling but better, as it’s truly transformative so people will never have the same problem again. 

    I qualified in all the above courses. So I’m a metaphysical counsellor and will soon be working online as well as off line. For autistic people, or anybody really, but with autistic people in mind, I’ll be offering some kind of email type counselling service, for people who prefer to communicate in writing, either completely or partially. I’ve been studying and working with clients this way, successfully, for more than 10 years and I’ve been successful with people with schizophrenia and other mental health problems.

    I managed to do the first recording yesterday, which was an audio recording of me conducting a meditation and I will have to do the second recording today, which is a video. Then tomorrow I get my third assignment and my tutor has asked me to focus on the practical (recording) exercise first, so I keep up to date! I’m dreading doing the second one but I’m going to really try hard to get it completed today. 

    I’ll let you know when I am running my first online course and if you’re interested, you can join me :) 

    That’s a bit of a bummer regarding the headphones and curry’s. I’m thinking of taking them back so I can buy them again at Argos and get points on my Sainsbury’s card!  

    Good luck with the headphones next weekend and with work. I really hope it all goes in your favour without too much disruption and stress. 

  • That course sounds really interesting!  I'd HATE to make videos of myself though, and I can't talk in front of groups of people.  I wanted to do a course in counselling and social care a while ago, it might be something I go back to looking into  Do you have to pass an assessment or something to be qualified to teach the course?

    I asked a while ago in Currys if I could do that and they said no, once they break the seal on the box they can't be sold as they're not brand new.  I might be shopping with a friend next weekend and we'll be going somewhere with a John Lewis, so I'll try them then.

    It's a long story with work, they've wanted to dismiss me for a while. But I haven't actually done anything wrong.  I have a meeting coming up to determine my future there and they've given me a very clear warning about it.

  • No, I haven’t managed to catch up yet SobSobSob 

    The course is a course to teach a course! Lol! The course I will be teaching, is ‘An Introduction to Self Awareness’ from a metaphysical stand point. 

    To catch up I need to make two videos of myself ~ one is of me introducing meditation to a group and taking them through a short meditation and the other is me introducing and discussing a section of the course. I won’t have actual people in front of me but I have got to act as if I have. 

    Once I’ve completed the course, I’ll be able to deliver it either in person face to face or online. It’s a 15 hour course which I can break down any way I want.

    And I’m exactly the same as you regarding getting work done, I’m usually always last minute. I’m going out now for a coffee but really it’s to avoid doing my work!!! 

    I wonder if you went into Curry’s and just asked them to let you try on the Sony’s they would let you and then you can say you want to sleep on it before you decide to buy them? 

    Why might you be loosing your job? 

  • I might just order the Sony ones and send the Bose back.  We have a curry’s nearby but they don’t have any headphones out on display anymore.  I’ll have a think this weekend!  I’m really indecisive!  I got some discount on the Bose ones, so the Sony’s will cost me a bit more.  And just found our I’m probably going to be losing my job next month. 

    What sort of coursework is it you’re doing?  I tend to struggle to do anything till last minute.  I have all good intentions, and I’ll sit and stare at page a of text, or a blank word document for ages willing myself to get started or learn what I need to learn of I’m studying.  I can sit like that for hours, and then I get twitchy and need to get moving, or just fall asleep.  

    Have you managed to catch up a bit?

  • Maybe you could go on a little trip to the closest currys or similar shop that has them available to try? Or just cange them, them change hem back if you find you refer he Bose. 

    And yeah, I didn't realise it was so easy to take things back to Argos. 

    I've heard the Bose are better for noise cancellation when you don't have music playing, which is why I was more drawn to them. And the comfort levels felt similar with both but for me, slightly more comfortable with the Bose. They're slightly less cumbersome as well (if that's the right word?). 

    The guy felt the Sony ones were more comfortable for him and the girl, the Bose more comfortable, and they both agreed that the difference was so small, in quality, that for them, it just came down to personal preference in looks and comfort. 

    The course work is going ok. Slow, but ok. I'm definitely avoiding it, but I'm not giving myself a hard time, which makes it all 100% better and I've decided to do a bit today, if I can, then dedicate tomorrow to caching up as I don't want t go into week 3, 3 weeks behind. 

  • Sorry for the late reply, this website is really slow at times and I gave up yesterday.

    Hope the course work is going ok today! 

    Argos are pretty good with returns, some of the staff in our local store are really good in letting you return or exchange items.  There's one lady there who will ask a load of questions and make it difficult, but generally they are really helpful.  I'm sure I can return these Bose ones.  They've cut out a few times on the right ear as well, so I think they may be faulty.  I've read quite a few reviews saying the sound quality with the Sonys is better, but they're not as comfortable to wear as the Bose.  I think I'd prefer the better sound quality, and better noise cancelling.  I really want to try them before going to the effort of sending my Bose ones back and ordering the Sony ones.  

    I wear them at work to distract from all the little noises and noises people make in the office, and they discourage people from distracting me, and they do offer that bit of comfort in being able to kind of escape stressful or uncomfortable environments.

  • S**t, I forgot to put them on, lol! Thanks for the reminder. 

    I’m just taking a little break from the course work. It’s not easy. I almost feel like I’m having little but constant heart attacks or panic attacks, but I’m breathing through them and it’s not as dramatic as it sounds. But it’s real, that’s why I’m taking a break. 

    It was helpful to try the headphones on, but to be honest, I think the proof is in the wearing. 

    From all accounts, and the guy in the shop, the Sony ones do give better sound quality and they definitely feel slightly different. 

    And I agree, they do discourage people from distracting you. As soon as I started wearing them I felt this kind of comfort or protection and I think it’s that, that people are less likely to approach you. 

    Are you able to swap them? That would be great. I bought a high speed blender last year then after about 6 months, I realised I had made the wrong choice but there was no way to get the money, at that time, to buy the other one. So I just took it back to Argos and at first she said she could change it, but only for the same model (it was leaking), but she came round to my way of thinking and as a one off, she said she’d change it for the other model for me and I just paid the difference. And it was over 6 months, so it’s alwaya worth a try. 

  • I got the Bose ones too, but thinking I may swap them for the Sony ones!  They make a bit of a hissing noise, and the noise cancelling hurts my ears a little.  There’s no where round me I can go and try any on, which is annoying.  

    Wearing headphones makes such a huge difference.  I’m awaiting my assessment but my GP thinks I have adhd as well.  I have big problems getting focussed, and staying focussed. Having something that cuts out a lot of office noise, and I can play some music quietly through really helps.  

    Hope they work for you with your course!  I still really struggle, but they do help, and I find I’m not wandering round or falling asleep as much at work.  Plus they encourage people not to distract you!

Reply
  • I got the Bose ones too, but thinking I may swap them for the Sony ones!  They make a bit of a hissing noise, and the noise cancelling hurts my ears a little.  There’s no where round me I can go and try any on, which is annoying.  

    Wearing headphones makes such a huge difference.  I’m awaiting my assessment but my GP thinks I have adhd as well.  I have big problems getting focussed, and staying focussed. Having something that cuts out a lot of office noise, and I can play some music quietly through really helps.  

    Hope they work for you with your course!  I still really struggle, but they do help, and I find I’m not wandering round or falling asleep as much at work.  Plus they encourage people not to distract you!

Children
  • I had a look but they're not national unfortunately.  There's not much available where I am.

    I looked at doing an OU course in psychology, but need to do a bit of saving first!  And have the free time around work etc.  

    That's really good your support worker identifying your autism traits and helping you to use them to your advantage.  That's a really good idea doing the course while you're recovering from a burnout, but knowing how far you can push yourself and when to relax and rest.  It's giving you a well needed rest but also something positive to focus on :)  Sounds like it's going really well too which is brilliant.  I wish you the best of luck with it, and looking forward to hearing more about it!

  • I’m a bit tired so can’t think how you send messages but my settings are set to receive messages from anyone and you can make a friend request as well. 

    Autism Plus are a national (I think) specialist support organisation, so I get one to one weekly support. It’s really good. 

    Being a child psychologist sounds like a great idea and as autistic people, we are often very good at research. I’m also adhd, which I understand can also be a really good thing, so we can definitely use it to our advantage. I think you’d be great working in this area. Trauma can destroy a person’s life or it can be transformed into something amazing. You could totally do it. 

    The course is going well. I’m on week 3 and it is 12 weeks long (I think). There’s plenty of info to take in etc but it’s not too much. I’ve got time to process it all as I go along. I’m playing with getting a balance between work/study and not working and so far it’s trial and error but it’s easier with the specialist support. For example, she was able to point out that what I’m dealing with is classic autism obsession and she is able to give me tips on how to manage this. I want to be able to do this before I actually start work, as a kind of insurance policy against burnout. So I’m taking my time with it, because this is something I want to get right. I’ve really benefited from this burnout but I don’t want another! 

    I trust you will have a restful weekend. We tend to need lots of good quality rest, so I’m working on that too. I only got diagnosed 15 months ago so I’m not in any rush. I’m taking things at a slow pace but things are shaping up slowly. 

    Have a lovely weekend :) 

  • Apologies for late reply, I’ve had really full on and pretty stressful week.  

    And yeah I’m kind of looking forward to the access to work support worker being arranged.  I want to continue in my job.  What’s autism plus? 

    Well done for getting the second video done :-) how much have you got done and how’s it been going over the last few days? 

    Everything with the course you’re doing sounds so interesting.  When my gp said to me about autism and adhd I was completely thrown, but reading up on it has become really fascinating.  So I can see how you’ve got so engrossed in learning about it all and something that can help others.  When I was younger I wanted to be a child psychologist, or in researching child development or helping kids that had been through trauma.  

    Ill think of a nickname and change it on here!  I was going to send you a PM but I’m not sure how you do it.  I’m absolutely shattered tonight so it’s probably really obvious and I’m just not seeing it.  

  • I’m glad you’ve got support with the work thing and it all sounds positive. I’m getting support from autism plus and they’re so good. It makes such a huge difference when we have somebody who knows what they’re talking about so I think it’s gonna work out for you. But that doesn’t stop you venturing into other things at some point, and having a steady job that you enjoy will give you more time to dream :) 

    And YaY ~ I got my second video completed today and I loved doing it. I got a new assignment today so I can get started on that from fresh now. 

    I’m getting really excited about teaching the course now because it’s going to help so many people. It doesn’t matter if the person is autistic or not because it works at soul level but it can be understood and practiced by anybody who is open to it. I did all this training prior to my autism diagnosis and I realise now, why I’ve been able to process the diagnosis so well, and it’s because of all the work I did prior to diagnosis. So I know this stuff works with autistic people as well. It’s basically a practical, quick and direct route back to our true nature of joy, love, peace and fulfilment :) 

    I know it feels like a horrible situation at work, because you’re in the thick of it, but with the union rep and now access to work on your side,  it will work out. The government are very keen to make work more accessible for people with autism, and access to work have loads of experience with lots of positive results. I’ve got a good feeling it’s going well and it will work out in the very best way for you.

    I reckon I’ll be teaching my first course by the end of May, or June, but not sure if it’ll be online at that point. But I’ll keel you posted. 

    Can you think of a nickname for on here as I won’t remember your NAS number? 

    Good luck with work, and thanks for asking about my homework. 

  • This work situation is pretty horrible.  They boast about their diversity and equality at work policies, but in practice things got so much worse after disclosing about autism and adhd.  I have a union rep, and been approved access to work support, so I'm hoping that starts asap.  They might be able to offer some advise as they know about autism and the common struggles people face.

    That course sounds so interesting!  I'm exhausted this evening but going to read up on it properly tomorrow.  It sounds fascinating.  If I do lose my job I may look into doing some courses to get into support work.  Or go back to what I was doing before this role.  That would be a bit of a step backwards though.  I'm hoping to keep this job because given the opportunity I can do it and quite like it.  

    Hope you managed the second recording!  I really struggle with my photo being taken or recording myself, audio or video, so I think it's awesome you got the first recording done!  And yes it sounds like something I'd be interested in when you run the first online course, definitely.

  • I’m sorry to hear about your work situation. It seems like a lot of places would be happier if they had robots working for them as they often forget that humans aren’t robots and that they will at times be impacted by life events etc. I hope it works out well for you. Have you got anybody in your corner? 

    The course I’m currently learning is a course I’ll be teaching. It will be called an introduction to self awareness. It will be taught over 15 hours and I will be teaching it as an online course.m as well as an off line course. From that, if people want to take it further, I will then be teaching the next course which is the Metapyisics foundation course. From that a person can do two more courses and then if they want to teach this stuff themselves or be a metaphysical practitioner, which is a transformational metaphysical counsellor, they can do the practitioner course. It’s like counselling but better, as it’s truly transformative so people will never have the same problem again. 

    I qualified in all the above courses. So I’m a metaphysical counsellor and will soon be working online as well as off line. For autistic people, or anybody really, but with autistic people in mind, I’ll be offering some kind of email type counselling service, for people who prefer to communicate in writing, either completely or partially. I’ve been studying and working with clients this way, successfully, for more than 10 years and I’ve been successful with people with schizophrenia and other mental health problems.

    I managed to do the first recording yesterday, which was an audio recording of me conducting a meditation and I will have to do the second recording today, which is a video. Then tomorrow I get my third assignment and my tutor has asked me to focus on the practical (recording) exercise first, so I keep up to date! I’m dreading doing the second one but I’m going to really try hard to get it completed today. 

    I’ll let you know when I am running my first online course and if you’re interested, you can join me :) 

    That’s a bit of a bummer regarding the headphones and curry’s. I’m thinking of taking them back so I can buy them again at Argos and get points on my Sainsbury’s card!  

    Good luck with the headphones next weekend and with work. I really hope it all goes in your favour without too much disruption and stress. 

  • That course sounds really interesting!  I'd HATE to make videos of myself though, and I can't talk in front of groups of people.  I wanted to do a course in counselling and social care a while ago, it might be something I go back to looking into  Do you have to pass an assessment or something to be qualified to teach the course?

    I asked a while ago in Currys if I could do that and they said no, once they break the seal on the box they can't be sold as they're not brand new.  I might be shopping with a friend next weekend and we'll be going somewhere with a John Lewis, so I'll try them then.

    It's a long story with work, they've wanted to dismiss me for a while. But I haven't actually done anything wrong.  I have a meeting coming up to determine my future there and they've given me a very clear warning about it.

  • No, I haven’t managed to catch up yet SobSobSob 

    The course is a course to teach a course! Lol! The course I will be teaching, is ‘An Introduction to Self Awareness’ from a metaphysical stand point. 

    To catch up I need to make two videos of myself ~ one is of me introducing meditation to a group and taking them through a short meditation and the other is me introducing and discussing a section of the course. I won’t have actual people in front of me but I have got to act as if I have. 

    Once I’ve completed the course, I’ll be able to deliver it either in person face to face or online. It’s a 15 hour course which I can break down any way I want.

    And I’m exactly the same as you regarding getting work done, I’m usually always last minute. I’m going out now for a coffee but really it’s to avoid doing my work!!! 

    I wonder if you went into Curry’s and just asked them to let you try on the Sony’s they would let you and then you can say you want to sleep on it before you decide to buy them? 

    Why might you be loosing your job? 

  • I might just order the Sony ones and send the Bose back.  We have a curry’s nearby but they don’t have any headphones out on display anymore.  I’ll have a think this weekend!  I’m really indecisive!  I got some discount on the Bose ones, so the Sony’s will cost me a bit more.  And just found our I’m probably going to be losing my job next month. 

    What sort of coursework is it you’re doing?  I tend to struggle to do anything till last minute.  I have all good intentions, and I’ll sit and stare at page a of text, or a blank word document for ages willing myself to get started or learn what I need to learn of I’m studying.  I can sit like that for hours, and then I get twitchy and need to get moving, or just fall asleep.  

    Have you managed to catch up a bit?

  • Maybe you could go on a little trip to the closest currys or similar shop that has them available to try? Or just cange them, them change hem back if you find you refer he Bose. 

    And yeah, I didn't realise it was so easy to take things back to Argos. 

    I've heard the Bose are better for noise cancellation when you don't have music playing, which is why I was more drawn to them. And the comfort levels felt similar with both but for me, slightly more comfortable with the Bose. They're slightly less cumbersome as well (if that's the right word?). 

    The guy felt the Sony ones were more comfortable for him and the girl, the Bose more comfortable, and they both agreed that the difference was so small, in quality, that for them, it just came down to personal preference in looks and comfort. 

    The course work is going ok. Slow, but ok. I'm definitely avoiding it, but I'm not giving myself a hard time, which makes it all 100% better and I've decided to do a bit today, if I can, then dedicate tomorrow to caching up as I don't want t go into week 3, 3 weeks behind. 

  • Sorry for the late reply, this website is really slow at times and I gave up yesterday.

    Hope the course work is going ok today! 

    Argos are pretty good with returns, some of the staff in our local store are really good in letting you return or exchange items.  There's one lady there who will ask a load of questions and make it difficult, but generally they are really helpful.  I'm sure I can return these Bose ones.  They've cut out a few times on the right ear as well, so I think they may be faulty.  I've read quite a few reviews saying the sound quality with the Sonys is better, but they're not as comfortable to wear as the Bose.  I think I'd prefer the better sound quality, and better noise cancelling.  I really want to try them before going to the effort of sending my Bose ones back and ordering the Sony ones.  

    I wear them at work to distract from all the little noises and noises people make in the office, and they discourage people from distracting me, and they do offer that bit of comfort in being able to kind of escape stressful or uncomfortable environments.

  • S**t, I forgot to put them on, lol! Thanks for the reminder. 

    I’m just taking a little break from the course work. It’s not easy. I almost feel like I’m having little but constant heart attacks or panic attacks, but I’m breathing through them and it’s not as dramatic as it sounds. But it’s real, that’s why I’m taking a break. 

    It was helpful to try the headphones on, but to be honest, I think the proof is in the wearing. 

    From all accounts, and the guy in the shop, the Sony ones do give better sound quality and they definitely feel slightly different. 

    And I agree, they do discourage people from distracting you. As soon as I started wearing them I felt this kind of comfort or protection and I think it’s that, that people are less likely to approach you. 

    Are you able to swap them? That would be great. I bought a high speed blender last year then after about 6 months, I realised I had made the wrong choice but there was no way to get the money, at that time, to buy the other one. So I just took it back to Argos and at first she said she could change it, but only for the same model (it was leaking), but she came round to my way of thinking and as a one off, she said she’d change it for the other model for me and I just paid the difference. And it was over 6 months, so it’s alwaya worth a try.