Published on 12, July, 2020
Are we over thinking our reactions behaviours ect. after masking for so long? I dont think i thought about my behaviour ect. so much before i discovered that i was autistic. I know that i am not masking as much as i was, and it feels good. My contact with people is limited from choice, and im ok with that. I think that its realising i dont have to be with people, if i dont want to be.
I have a similar problem.
My wife always says I never want to do anything even though I do a lot more than I probably should. I’m quite comfortable and happy about going on holiday as I’m with my family and that’s ok but just don’t like being in a forced situation with people I don’t know. I’m not sure I have ever suffered a burnout yet although around 3 months ago I was in a very dark place trying to make sense of it all. How long can burnout last?? I’m lucky in that I work for myself and alone so contact with people is limited and short, I’m guessing that’s how I’ve been able to manage for all these years. Is your partner Nt? Mine is and there is very little understanding tbh.
Hope your situation improves
Diagnosed at 50, now 54. I knew I was diffrent and spent massive amounts of energey trying to fit in and not look diffrent. Shortly after diagnosis I lost me day, mum went into care and we had Covid and I had a massive melt down. Still not recovered, lost my mum in 2022. I now expect less from myself, don't get into situations I don't like, and give myself a day at the weekend with nothing to do. It puts strain on my marrage, like my wife wants us to go to a wedding in July (during the big local airshow that is related to my obsessive hobby) of which she knows the bride a bit and a couple of others a bit, I know nobody what so ever, and its 3 hours away. So that is autistic hell and I have said no, I am not popular.
Roy said: I am not prepared to hide my feelings and needs anymore. My autistic behaviour is me.
Exactly! That’s unmasking!
I have had several breakdowns over the years, finally diagnosed aged 60. I feel the overthinking is an autistic mind trying to understand why I can't be like "normal" folk. Some of these burnous have been horrendous and I'm only just starting to climb out of the current one.
It's really hard to unpack who/what I really am
You have just ‘mirrored’ my behaviour, I am more aware and sensitive to most things. I am not prepared to hide my feelings and needs anymore. My autistic behaviour is me.
Tulip52 said:Are we over thinking our reactions behaviours ect. after masking for so long?
No I don’t think so, it’s quite natural and necessary for us to question and analyse our life experiences and reasons for behaviour after autistic discovery.