• Replies 3 replies
  • Subscribers 72 subscribers
  • Views 51 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Recently Diagnosed and Don't know what to do

sunnysunshine

hello everyone,

I am recently diagnosed as having autism as an adult and I am in a phase of masking and unmasking, I realised that I have a lot of masking traits which is causing me to either have meltdowns or shutdowns. All my life I only mirror how other people live their life and now I don't know what to so with myself, I have also started to compile all of my autistic traits and research about each of them. Any helpful advise will be much appreciated

Parents

  • Hi  and welcome.Hugging

    I think that sounds like a great thing to do it will help you understand yourself a bit more.

    I think masking/unmasking for me is something I try not to put myself under pressure to do, the unmasking bit anyway. I do unmask but only when I feel safe enough to do so.

    Hopefully you’ll get some good advice on here.Blush

  • in reply to Lonehare12

    Hi Lonehare, 

    I agree with you about not putting yourself under pressure about masking/unmasking.

    I have been masking for over 70 years but not about everything. In the workplace sure but not always, at home sometimes as required, to myself probably a little, etc.
    I am not entirely convinced about the apparent on/off simplicity of masking/unmasking. Is it really like an actor taking off the makeup and dropping the part they are playing. No, because to me masking is a much needed defence mechanism used in environments that I feel or are somewhat to very hostile. I don't feel the environments have changed that much over the years.

    I am pretty sure that neurotypical people do not always tell the truth is this masking too - or is that just lying, feeling guilty, and for many other reasons.

    I am old and may be it is a lot easier for younger people to unmask. I do hope so.  

Reply
  • in reply to Lonehare12

    Hi Lonehare, 

    I agree with you about not putting yourself under pressure about masking/unmasking.

    I have been masking for over 70 years but not about everything. In the workplace sure but not always, at home sometimes as required, to myself probably a little, etc.
    I am not entirely convinced about the apparent on/off simplicity of masking/unmasking. Is it really like an actor taking off the makeup and dropping the part they are playing. No, because to me masking is a much needed defence mechanism used in environments that I feel or are somewhat to very hostile. I don't feel the environments have changed that much over the years.

    I am pretty sure that neurotypical people do not always tell the truth is this masking too - or is that just lying, feeling guilty, and for many other reasons.

    I am old and may be it is a lot easier for younger people to unmask. I do hope so.  

Children
No Data