Hi everyone, I made a post here a few days ago about writing a list of autistic traits as my GP asked me to. I would love to get some feedback about anything that I have missed. My list so far is:
- Often feel socially anxious- find it hard to be in big groups and feel exhausted after social interactions
- Loud noises are painful and can feel overwhelming-as a child I was upset by the vacuum and hand dryers in bathrooms
- Sensitivity to bright lights in classrooms
- Find it hard to organise myself and finish tasks
- Preference for being alone
- Obsessive interests- interests are really intense and specialized and I can talk about them for ages without meaning to. My special interests are books, crystals and plants
- Masking- putting on different personalities depending on who I’m with, only being relaxed when I am home which makes me feel drained after being around people for a long period of time
- Preparing conversions or phrases ahead of time
- I can not sleep if there is another noise in the room such as a ticking clock, and I also tend to sleep quite a lot due to feeling worn out after social interactions.
- I force myself to make eye contact with other people even if it makes me uncomfortable, and I never really know how long is enough or when to look away
- Have problems with keeping my emotions regulated and controlled
- Meltdowns
- Stimming- tapping my fingers, flapping my hands, moving my pen around, twisting jewellery etc
- Repetitive eating- eat the same thing every day or repeat it throughout the week
- Seeming blunt or rude or not interested in people without meaning to
- Having similar routine everyday and becoming very anxious if it changes without my permission
- Observing and imitating those around me
- Hyper empathy and highly sensitive person
- Dislike of change
also just to add, I'm 16 and a girl. Thanks for any help you can give!