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Seeking Autism Support

Georgia4444

Hi, I'm new here! 

Before I start I would like to mention that I am a 22 year old Nonbinary person.

A couple of years ago, I was diagnosed with autism and I have a severe sensitivity to noise which has affected my life daily to the point that I overanalyse doors incase they slam and I anxiously worry about high winds that could cause doors or gates to rattle in their hinges. This has affected me even before I was diagnosed and I feel like it's ruining my life and may ruin my relationship with my partner. They know I have autism and severe anxiety, and they are trying to be more supportive which I'm grateful for. 

I've improved a lot over the years with anxiety, I can ask others for help and sometimes confidently speak confidently to others using eye contact.

My only barrier now is the noise issue, I have gone to counselling to help but my anxiety is getting worse again less than a week after having my last counselling session. I'm so exhausted by this issue. 

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  • Good morning from America, Georgia4444!

    Wow, it sounds like what you experience is pretty brutal when it comes to noise sensitivity. I just want to applaud you on trying your best to ease it and find solutions. It is great that you have already sought out counseling, as that would be my first advice.

    Now, I’m not sure if I can help, but this did make me think of something. Maybe you could create a “sensory diet”? So every time you experience a sound that upsets you, perhaps you could stop and allow yourself to experience something you enjoy? Example, maybe you like the scent of a certain perfume, or the sound of a dove cooing, or ect. Maybe granting yourself access to a pleasant sensory experience after or during an unpleasant experience could help with giving you a bit of relief. So keep on hand recordings, scents, videos, etc that you like when you go out and about.

  • in reply to profdanger

    Hi profdanger,

    Thank you! I've booked an appointment to go see the mental health nurse to discuss whether I can put on to better medication that could lessen my anxiety, as the beta blockers clearly arent working for me anymore.

    A sensory diet is a coping mechanism I've never heard about but I'm glad you have told me about it and I'll absolutely give it a try next time!

    I do wear noise cancelling earphones and earloops when I know my anxiety is high or I feel overstimulated, but most times I can still hear the triggering noises even through them which is very frustrating. I also try to block out the noises by listening to lofi music or even metal music through my headphones, but sometimes that still doesnt help.

    It's so frustrating to not being able to go into restaraunts or just out to places in general and enjoy myself without anxiously worrying or hyperfixating on each door or gate that might slam or make a loud noise. It's both mentally and physically exhausting to have that feeling of anxiety so high all the time. 

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  • in reply to profdanger

    Hi profdanger,

    Thank you! I've booked an appointment to go see the mental health nurse to discuss whether I can put on to better medication that could lessen my anxiety, as the beta blockers clearly arent working for me anymore.

    A sensory diet is a coping mechanism I've never heard about but I'm glad you have told me about it and I'll absolutely give it a try next time!

    I do wear noise cancelling earphones and earloops when I know my anxiety is high or I feel overstimulated, but most times I can still hear the triggering noises even through them which is very frustrating. I also try to block out the noises by listening to lofi music or even metal music through my headphones, but sometimes that still doesnt help.

    It's so frustrating to not being able to go into restaraunts or just out to places in general and enjoy myself without anxiously worrying or hyperfixating on each door or gate that might slam or make a loud noise. It's both mentally and physically exhausting to have that feeling of anxiety so high all the time. 

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