• Replies 14 replies
  • Subscribers 88 subscribers
  • Views 2584 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Opinions of others?

CanadianGirl

I'm just beginning the process of seeking a autism diagnosis. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on about autism, and the more I read the more I feel like this is the key. It just fits, I feel it in my gut. 

I have a working document on my computer, where I've been writing down all of the reasons I believe I am autistic, with examples. I am planning to give this to my doctor when I am ready. It is currently 4 pages long, and I'm definitely not finished.

My problem is that the couple of people I've brought it up with "in real life" just kind of.. laugh it off. 

I feel like I'm pretty darn good at masking, and I know I hide a lot of things, due to the extreme bullying I endured throughout grade school. I'm just feeling hurt by realizing that even those closest to me don't really see me or my struggles. 

I don't even know where I'm going with this, or how to explain how I'm feeling. Tell me I'm not alone? Have any of you had close family or friends who deny your autism exists?

Parents
  • CanadianGirl said:
    I feel like I'm pretty darn good at masking, and I know I hide a lot of things, due to the extreme bullying I endured throughout grade school. I'm just feeling hurt by realizing that even those closest to me don't really see me or my struggles. 

    That's very common with girls - so good at masking that people don't see the stress.

    I try to explain to people by saying my life is like living in a Las Vegas Casino - everything it too bright, too smelly too noisy too chaotic etc. to be able to get my head together to concentrate.      

    My fight-or-flight is set permanently to 100% so my brain is constantly waiting for a surprise attack so it's constantly looking for escape routes - there is no peace or calm.

Reply
  • CanadianGirl said:
    I feel like I'm pretty darn good at masking, and I know I hide a lot of things, due to the extreme bullying I endured throughout grade school. I'm just feeling hurt by realizing that even those closest to me don't really see me or my struggles. 

    That's very common with girls - so good at masking that people don't see the stress.

    I try to explain to people by saying my life is like living in a Las Vegas Casino - everything it too bright, too smelly too noisy too chaotic etc. to be able to get my head together to concentrate.      

    My fight-or-flight is set permanently to 100% so my brain is constantly waiting for a surprise attack so it's constantly looking for escape routes - there is no peace or calm.

Children
  • in reply to Plastic

    Hey Plastic, this is a great way to describe the mechanisms that pool into the overwhelming barrage of stimulae.

    Of course you will have tried it I'm sure, but ive been meditating twice a day minimum solidly for 6 months, slowly altering my response to things. So when loud noise would normally effect me I'm now able to respond less abruptly. It's a work in progress, and stil have many problems, but it has helped a lot in calming my bodily responses, so might be of use?

    I feel I can do a lot to change the way I respond to triggers, as it's my response which is the actual problem.

    It's the one thing I potentially can effect, as I know I can't control external forces (sadly)