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First post, struggling more than usual.

RockinRobin

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post. I was diagnosed with autism in August 24 at the age of 38. Since then I have gone through every emotion possible. I thought I had been coping well, with better understanding of triggers and how to possibly manage them, but the last few months I have been really struggling. Sensory issues are so strong, that it really causing issues at home. 

On top of that I feel like life is more erratic than usual. I can be hyper focused sometimes but usually my brain is going 3000 miles an hour, I swear I have a yellow minion living in my brain. I start lots of projects, very rarely finishing them. I have alarms and notifications pinging most of the day, which my senses are loving...not, but it's the only way to try and keep track. I get told I don't listen but if they just stick their head round the door talking without getting my attention as I am usually wearing noise cancelling headphones, how am I to know they are talking to me? 

My spatial awareness is horrific, I am constantly spilling things or knocking things over. I have to use spill proof cups and bottles all the time and the joke in our house is that doorframe jumped out and hit me. I swear I was walking straight. This week I have had three fights with the airfryer and from the burns on my arm I'm sure you can tell who won. I'm considering speaking to my GP but there is only one at my practice that will listen. I have had some very negative and distressing experiences with medical professionals. I don't know if my traits could be overlapping or whether these come under autism. 

I don't have anyone really at home to discuss with, as I keep getting told...I don't get it. Frustrated that I don't really have anyone to sound-board off or anyone who "gets it". My family thinks I should be able to shake it and get on with it, that I'm just too sensitive. It's really not that easy for me.

I am spending so much energy trying to get things right, I could just spend my whole day crying and sleeping. 

Sorry for the rant. 

  • in reply to lostmyway

    Thank you all that have answered, just overwhelmed by how kind everyone has been. 

  • Hey, first off - no apology needed. That's not a rant, it's real life, and a lot of us late-diagnosed folks know exactly this spiral.

    You're describing classic AuDHD overlap: sensory overload cranked up post-diagnosis (masking drops, everything hits harder), executive function chaos (projects everywhere, brain on overdrive), poor interoception/spatial stuff (spills, burns, doorframes "attacking" you). The yellow minion? Yeah - that's the ADHD voice yelling "do ALL the things!" while autism says, "but make it perfect."

    Family not getting it? Painful, but common. They see "too sensitive" - you feel "overwhelmed and unseen." You're not weak; you're exhausted from constant translation.

    For GP: go to that one who listens - say "late autism diagnosis, sensory/executive struggles worsening, need referral to neurodivergent-aware OT or psych." If they brush it off, push for a second opinion.

    You're welcome here. Vent anytime - no "shake it off" required. Yellow heart

    The following links may be helpful to you:






  • Hi  and welcome to the community. We are a friendly bunch and have a wide variety of experience and interests. Thanks for joining us and sharing your lived experience so openly. I'm 59 and AuDHD, diagnosed last year and the period since has been challenging for me.

    I can appreciate how sensory issues and a sense of inconsistency arise for us.

    Proprioception, or knowing where our body is in space, can be challenging for us autistic folks, and I spill, drop and bump into things quite a lot. It's annoying, isn't it?

    I am sorry that your family don't 'get it' and hope you find that solidarity and understanding here. Local neurodiversity/autism groups may also be a supportive place to hang out. Wishing you well. 

  • RockinRobin said:
    I am constantly spilling things

    It is frustrating for me too - I use a small melamine tea tray with the addition of a piece of non-slip silicone matting.  I still can spill my mug of coffee ...but at least the damage is usually contained within the tray!

    By the way; rant here is definitely allowed.  Welcome.