If I had a pound for every social event that I didn’t want to attend, I would be rich. My mood change will start weeks before the event, it would peak the week before with either becoming non verbal or instigating an argument. This went on for years, I didn’t know I am autistic. My wife often had to attend things on her own. Option B was I would drink so much alcohol , I could l shut down the anxiety, most probably the wrong way to express it but, I could stop being so autistic for a few hours, I don’t recommend it, it doesn’t cure the miscommunication problems! Most people who matter know I’m autistic and will rescue me, my wife doesn’t pressure me anymore, she now really gets how much it affects me, it’s one less thing that I beat myself up for now. Limit the time at an event, I use excuses if I do attend, “ just need to get something from the car,” escape for 10 minutes and have quiet time.
I find I use the toilet to hide! When I was in my early teens, my parents would force me to go to classmates' parties (on the grounds that, if I was asked, it would be rude to refuse) and I would hide in the toilets, not knowing why I hated it and was desperate to leave. Of course, now I know the reason.
