• Replies 1 reply
  • Subscribers 6 subscribers
  • Views 77 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

Touch

SleepySloth

Recently I have been struggling with touch. I find it difficult to explain, but there are times when suddenly I can feel everything that touches my skin more than normal and it irritates me to the point where I can't be comfortable at all. Sometimes it's because things aren't touching me "evenly" and I can't get it right. Sometimes it feels like my skin is on wrong and I can't stop thinking about it. Sometimes it's a combination of things or it's just that I don't like the sensation of things touching me. I've had this before as a brief, one-off episode, but lately it's happening more often and I almost feel ill with it. Is this common? Is it even to do with autism or is it something everyone gets now and again? Or am I going insane? I feel like ever since I got my diagnosis last year, I'm questioning everything. I'm spiralling. And I don't think I've ever felt more alone.

  • Following a diagnosis, it can be common for us to become more aware of our traits - including feeling more sensitive to touch. This is good information to learn, because it enables us to better understand and accommodate ourselves - whether directly, or by asking others for support or adjustments. 

    Sensory sensitivity can also increase when we experience autistic fatigue and burnout. You might find this article helpful - it suggests some strategies that you can try to help with it. I'd also suggest contacting your GP for support:

    NAS - Autistic fatigue and burnout

    It can also be common for us to experience a lot of emotional dysregulation after being diagnosed.

    If you haven't yet seen them, the NAS has a great set of articles focused on "after diagnosis", including one covering how you might feel during the subsequent days / weeks / months, and others covering the kinds of support that you can access. You might find them useful:

    NAS - How you might feel after a diagnosis - includes perspectives from other autistics

    NAS - Other advice covering post-diagnosis - including:

    • Talking about and disclosing your autism diagnosis
    • Emotional support for family members after a diagnosis
    • Formal support following an autism diagnosis
    • What can I do if formal support is not offered or is not enough

    Therapy (or counselling) is often recommended after a diagnosis, as a follow up action for your GP to arrange. If you prefer, depending on where you are in the UK, you may instead be able to self refer for talking therapy on the NHS. 

    Before arranging it, you might find it helpful to borrow or buy this book, which includes discussion of various types of therapy and counselling, together with advice on choosing the right therapist or counsellor - all from an autistic person's viewpoint. Several of us here have found it very helpful:

    The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy

    Finally, I'll just mention a couple of books that I and others have found helpful early on in our post-diagnosis journeys:

    Self-Care for Autistic People: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Unmask!

    How to Be Autistic (free download currently available via this page)