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Tics/Stimming/help

NAS93832
4 months ago

I am 43, diagnosed Autistic and with Tourette Syndrome. As much as I feel like the TS diagnosis is correct, I do feel some of what I have is actually stimming (more convinced the more I understand my Autism). 

My main issue is a harmful stim/tic which is a forced cough which makes my throat and chest sore, gives me headaches and hideously affects my working life. Nothing in fact has depressed me more in my entire life.

It occurs anytime I go to speak (rarely when sat in quiet and relaxed) but it can feel like my throat is closing like an anxiety reaction. It started as a throat clearing, but now i have to push out a really full force cough/to feel the sensation from it on my chest/throat.

I have had 16 sessions with IAPT (to no avail) but did help me understand the pattern more. I had Hypnotherapy which did nothing either, other than make me feel less anxious after the sessions.

I embrace my Autism (quite happy to be despite the challenges), quite open and so advocate when i can, have taken steps to manage my sensory world. I just cannot continue as i am with whatever this is. I so DESPARATELY need to decipher what it is and gain help for it. It is literally ruining my life.

Does anyone out there feel like they have a take on what all this is/means? Solution?

If it is a tic, then there's no help as Cbit is not funded on the NHS and tablets don't agree with me. If a stim, where do I go for help?

Huge thanks in advance,

Isla

Parents
  • 4 months ago

    In general, stims tend to reduce anxiety and tension, even self-injurious ones. If you feel a drop in anxiety afterwards, it could be a stim.

    From a physical point of view, there are devices that are used for clearing phlegm from the airways, they look like fat tobacco pipes, but have a steel ball inside. You breathe forcefully into them and the heavy steel ball vibrates, sending waves of back pressure into the airways. Using one of these might give the same effect, but with less damage and pain?

Reply
  • 4 months ago

    In general, stims tend to reduce anxiety and tension, even self-injurious ones. If you feel a drop in anxiety afterwards, it could be a stim.

    From a physical point of view, there are devices that are used for clearing phlegm from the airways, they look like fat tobacco pipes, but have a steel ball inside. You breathe forcefully into them and the heavy steel ball vibrates, sending waves of back pressure into the airways. Using one of these might give the same effect, but with less damage and pain?

Children