Anyone else allow themselves to be picked on?

Hey everyone,

I am 37 and back in April I was diagnosed as being on the Autistic spectrum.

This is my first post here.

One thing I am trying to understand is why I let people pick on me?

My Dad bullies me and at work I let people get away with behavour towards me that I would challenge if I saw it directed at somebody else.

I am just trying to work out why I am so compliant? It is a good thing to be easy going. But I feel it allows me to be manipulated by people for their own ends. I guess this comes about as a consequence of not being used to standing up for yourself.

This is one of those traits I would usually just shrug my shoulders at and ignore. But about 3 weeks ago I had a mental breakdown that lasted five days. I also came close to having another flare-up in recent days. I had never had a break down before - so I found it to be a very unusual experience. And it is one thathas prompted me to analyze this part of my personality.

I was undergoing a lot of stress at work (my employer has launched a witch hunt to try and sack me),and the unprofessional behaviour directed at me by colleagues triggered a break down. My friends feel I should launch a formal complaine but I am friends with these people. My instinct is to shrug my shoulders since I don't understand the feeling of "being bullied". It is not an emotion that ever registers with me. Just as you would not feel "bullied" if a dog bit you or if a paving stone tripped you over.

I am a very opena nd easy going person. And I constantly make fun of myself and have a very strange and weird personality. So I guess I invite the perception that people can take liberties with me. And to be honest - I am cool with that.

That said - I am very confused about a lot of things at the moment. I am just curious if I am a victim of manipulation going back over my whole life (my Dad bullies me constantly - I sense he may be autistic as well). And if so - is this something that other people with autism have exeperience or recognise as a big part of their own lives?

I have no interest in getting my colleagues into trouble. I wish I could say the same about my employer - but they are out to get me. As such - I am just trying to use this experience to explore this idea and see if others have experienced similar things?

Thanks!

TomTomHarris

Parents
  • Oh wow! The first 3 quarters of this described me! I didnt think of it as an asd trait but maybe just me. Work colleagues had to tell me I was being bullied by my boss and manager. I was super anxious there and worked so hard but I was always getting pulled into a meeting room and yelled at. It was too much 3 people yelling st me at once I'd just sit in silence theyd be telling me to talk but i couldnt physically talk. One time i was so over helmed i burst into tears and left as i felt so over whelmed. It was after a colleague pointed it out i decided to start keeping evidence. So next time they pulled me in as I'd left a blank space in an email instead of the one space at the end before my signature there were 2. Theyd highlighted it and wrote why would you do this. I asked to keep the print out as evidence. I also stated I wanted my colleague to attend said meetings with me and that I'd record them. No more 'meetings' but they did make my working time unbearable until I quit. I did also tell the manager I may be autistic but it made her worse. Joys of working for a small company. I completed my tasks well above expectations yet was a target. 

    I dont understand the joy people take from bullying.

    I'm also too open, I'll answer any question honestly. Over the years I've had so many bad experiences where I didnt know what to do. This lead to me being so confused I tried taking my own life twice. When I googled my issues, autism kept coming up! I was 37 by then.

    A few of my experiences for example....

    I was expecting my mum to visit and as she travelled far she arrived very early morning usually. 6am a knock so I answer, a lady says shes having a panic attack can she come in. I say I'll call help but she talks me into letting her in. She stays in my home, I try telling her to go I fail. I panic as I dont know what to do. I'm overwhelmed. Police are emergency only this isnt emergency so I cant call I dont know what to do. 

    Eventually after taking any food and alcohol she can find she leaves. I'm a nervous wreck.

    My husband who works away from home a month at a time suggests I make friends with a neighbour who has children as I'm lonely. Again I cant say no.shes very pushy. If I pretend I'm out she dont go away and waits outside. Manages to take my food and bring her family to be fed. Why cant I say no I'm not comfortable but am I scared I dont know what to do. She may also be stealing from me. I eventually move just to get out of the situation. Firstly living on floors until I find a place. 

    All these years I beat myself up thinking why cant I stick up for myself. But now I'm finally finding my feet. I've started saying no or I need to think about it first. I know my limitations. People hate that I now say no but I dont care as that means they arent worth my time

    I'm scared by memories as that's 2 of my milder experiences. But if I'd of had help I could of coped better

  • I don't understand at all why people are so horrible at work, and why they need to bully people.  I raised what was happening to me formally, and I have kept documentation of everything.  People say I do really well to stand up for myself, but I don't think I do at all.  I have raised the problem formally, which has made it all worse, maybe because there is a more structured process?, but I can't just say during the time I'm being bullied that it's not acceptable.  I HATE confrontation, and I don't know how to raise things, especially with people I'm not comfortable with.  I've been thinking over the last few weeks I can see why on a lot of the advice for managing an autistic employee websites they say having a workplace mentor or buddy might help.  I've always worked really hard and like to try hard and take pride in what I do, but an overbearing manager can hinder everything and I just shut down.  And like you, I'm often too honest and open, if I'm asked something specifically, I answer.  I don't lie or try and think of the correct answer, I just answer.  I've learnt, and been warned, that HR are definitely NOT there to help you, they are there for the managers only, so stop being so open and honest with them when they ask questions.  I just don't get all of it.  

    That's scary letting someone in like that, but I can see myself doing the same. And then hating myself after for being so stupid and worrying about it constantly.  And again I'd be the same as you with a pushy neighbour like that!  I'd be so angry inside, but not sure how to deal with it or what to do, and not wanting any confrontation.  I don't understand it, why it's so difficult to deal with these things.  My mums had to come and sort situations out for me when people have taken advantage, or when I've been in dangerous situations.

  • I ended up in a situation at work where my wife had to come in and support me in complex HR meetings - luckily, they had no idea that she was a HR expert backed up by a union rep and another HR specialist.

    She wiped the floor with them and got me a generous severance package.

  • That's great that your wife stuck up for you plastic. Good result too

  • Nice!  My brother wants to come to my next meeting.  He's not an expert in anything like that though, but he's about 6 foot 5 and does lots of gym work...  I'm not sure how helpful that would be!  

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