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Identity

Hergé

Just a random thought, I also dwell on the odd forum on Reddit and other places and there often crops up the thread of identity.

When you look in the mirror who do you see or when someone calls your name, do you instantly connect with it?

Personally I dislike seeing my reflection and actively avoid having my photo taken. My name was obviously given to me by my parents but I feel oddly disconnected from it.

From what I've read, this isn't overly unusual within the autistic community, have any of you experienced this to some degree?

Parents

  • Not so much with my name but very much with my body. In kindergarten I used to get really angry about people making fun of my name, so I guess it was kind of important for me. My body however… It’s often as if I’m a demon possessing a random body. This unfortunately triggers a lot of body image issues for me. Since I feel so weirdly disconnected that I often get angry of my body. While I also get angry with myself, it’s different with this skin-suit I’m wearing. Whenever there’s a body-unrelated issue, I’m thinking: Stupid me. But as soon as the body’s the problem, I find myself thinking: stupid body, why do I have to put up with you? 
    I feel like this is related to the fact that many autistic individuals struggle with identifying their body’s needs (like feeling hungry, or thirsty).

  • in reply to Emmalephant

    I often feel at times my brain, body and self are all different entities inhabiting the same space which all agree on some form of limited cooperation.

    I think there's a degree of body dismorphia thrown in, when I was much younger I was very athletic and was very sensitive about my appearance. Now I'm older and slightly broken as most things hurt when doing anything physical, I watch my weight and try to moderate my alcohol intake.

    The whole hungry thing is odd, I can be fine and then it's full on shakes and stomach cramps, I just tend to eat and drink on a rough schedule which usually gets me through, unless I'm busy or exerting myself then I'm in trouble.

  • in reply to Hergé

    It’s weird right? People tell you: Just eat when you’re hungry, but I’m only perceiving the hunger in form of almost fainting or feeling very sick because of low blood sugar. So I’m either not eating at all or I’m suddenly overeating since I also barely know when I’m no longer hungry. Same with drinking.

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  • in reply to Hergé

    It’s weird right? People tell you: Just eat when you’re hungry, but I’m only perceiving the hunger in form of almost fainting or feeling very sick because of low blood sugar. So I’m either not eating at all or I’m suddenly overeating since I also barely know when I’m no longer hungry. Same with drinking.

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