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Autism and health anxiety as I get older

Lonehare12

I’m autistic and finding that health anxiety is getting harder as I get older.

I’m very aware of my body, and things like new sensations, appointments, and waiting for results can feel overwhelming. At times this feeds into a sense of hopelessness.

I’d really appreciate hearing from others who relate or have found ways of coping.

Parents

  • I get it. That hyper-awareness of every little bodily signal? It's like your nervous system turned up the volume on everything - new twinge, appointment looming, results pending - and suddenly it's all-consuming. As we age, it can feel heavier because life's got more "what ifs," and the hopelessness creeps in when it won't quiet down.

    You're not alone; lots of autistic adults describe this exact spiral - especially in places like r/AutismInWomen or r/aspergirls, where folks say things like "my body feels like a minefield" or "every heartbeat's a red flag." One person called it "visceral hypersensitivity" - not hypochondria, just amplified interoception making tiny stuff feel huge.

    From what I've seen, coping isn't about "fixing" it - it's about turning down the volume without ignoring your needs.

  • in reply to lostmyway

    Hi 

    Hoplessness is definitely something I slip into easily, it seems to be my default mode.

    I will google visceral hypersensitivity and try to learn a bit more about it.

    Thank you

     Blush

  • in reply to Lonehare12

    Mmm... I get that - hopelessness sneaking in like it's waiting at the door. Feels safer than hoping, doesn't it? Less to lose.

    But hey, you're already doing the hard bit: noticing it, naming it. That's not nothing.

    And googling visceral hypersensitivity? Good move. It's sneaky - gut nerves on high alert, turning everyday stuff into a storm. Stress makes it worse but knowing that - it takes some power back.

  • in reply to lostmyway

    Yeah I haven’t had time to look into it yet but turning things into a storm sounds familiar.

    Thunder cloud rain️Blush

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