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Body sensory issues

WolfieKate

Hello, I am 45 and on the waiting list for adult autism assessment. My 8 year old son was diagnosed last year. I have a history of sensory issues with parts of my body which has lead to eating issues, obessesive exercise and surgery 6 times. And 30 years on I am getting down right fed up! I wondered if I have Body Dysphoria which seems a better fit. It is as if my body doesn't fit me  - as if parts of it shouldn't be there and they "feel" wrong and have done since puberty. I am quite an unfeminine woman, a tom boy though married with kids Wink

I have been wearing the same set of clothes since xmas now - 5 tops all the same! If I try anything else on I can't stand the sensation or pressure of the new fabric on my skin or tissue. I am so sick of wearing the same thing just to feel comfortable. I want to go and get some nice clothes but the sensory issues mean I can't. I have taken prozac for 15 years and I have had counselling and still do but how can that take away what is essentially a sensory issue not a pyschological issue. It feels like the autism diagnosis is a last chance to understand what is going on but I fear it may also be a let down.

Anyway I just wanted to know if it was heard of for body sensory issues or dysphoria to cause this much trouble and force someone to consider surgery.

Thanks! Smile

  • I can relate to this too.  I'm fed up now at 27, so at 45 you must be pretty fed up!  I'm quite skinny, tall, and big chested, which is not a great combination.  I can shop in stores with a tall section, like Next and TopShop, because all tops I come across feel too short for me.  I hate the feeling of a top not being long enough and I'm always buying tank tops to wear under all my clothes, because even if the top isn't long enough at least the tank top is, but even then I hate the feeling.  There is only certain fabrics I'll wear too.  Nothing thin and silky, feel far to self conscious for stuff like that.  Only seem to get robust clothes, such as baggy knits.  I live in my pyjamas most of the time, which consist of long bottoms, a tshirt, bed socks, and fluffy dressing gown.  But, just now I'm annoyed because my dressing gown sleeves are too short for me and I hate the feeling.

    I read magazines and look in shops and think, that's really pretty I'd like to wear that, but I don't really leave the house other than for work so even if it did fit and feel good I'd have no idea who would see it.  It is one of the difficulties of being female and on the spectrum because you want to go out and join in what other girls do, like feel pretty, try on different clothes, do each other's make up, try out new hair dos, because it is fun.  But, the stress of the social interation and the energy required for dealing with all these sensory issues, it just makes it nearly impossible.  So, if I am leaving the house I wear something I know and understand, which is normally jeans, tshirt, hoodie/jumper.  I was always called a tomboy and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but I don't see why people have to be labelled based on what they are wearing.  I'm just going to have to stay with comfortable at the moment, because I'm not going through a good time psychologically just now, so at least wearing 'safe' clothes I can deal with situations better.

  • hey I have the same thing , I can't wear clothes with zips , buttons etc the feel of them makes me Frown , I find it hard to get new clothes and I wear the same clothes , I feel like I get judged as when it comes to formal occasions I can't wear anything do I literally go in my normal clothes 

  • I don't know that it is possible to desensitise yourself, but perhaps it is about learning to deal with the sensitivity differently. You can do it. Well done for being positive, that's really admirable :)

  • Thanks... it is really tough and even with the perspective of 45 years I am frustrated that these issues remain. The waiting list for adults assessment is a year where I live so got to wait for a while. I just really hope they can provide some info on how on earth to desensitise myself. I just want to be an easy going grown up. But my brain can't move on from this thing it finds wrong and when that thing is your own body you can't escape it. But onwards! I have alot of good things too. :)

  • hi, that sounds really tough. I have recently been diagnosed as aspergic and have had anorexia, anxiety, depression etc since I was thirteen. I think a lot of it seems to come from a difficulty processing the world and your place in it. I really hope getting a diagnosis helps you. I am sure that with time you can overcome your difficulties by finding new coping strategies and gaining a better understanding of yourself, your strengths and struggles.