Anyone Else Can't Wear a Mask?

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Between the sensory issues, having something covering my mouth and nose, and just being on/in front of my face in general, I find it very difficult to wear a mask. Essentially impossible with hospital and cloth masks, barely better with bandanas. I feel like I can't breathe and I get so distracted when I'm wearing one, I can't focus as well and it's so difficult to take in information. Sometimes it's like I have selective mutism, I find it hard to speak and be a part of a conversation. Really worried because I'm starting college this fall and I won't be able to learn with a mask on. I tried getting a note from my doctor today, but she said the clinic has forbidden them from giving them out. I don't know if my university will accomodate it without a note. I don't like that they are required, I keep my six feet to protect others, but I can't do masks, and I've looked at a LOT of different kinds (not looking for suggestions, but thank you anyway). Does anyone else have this problem? I know that people who can't wear masks have recieved a lot of harsh words and treatment. Even if no one replies saying they feel this way too, hopefully it can make someone feel less alone

I can't wear anything over my mouth or nose for more than a couple of minutes. I get an extreme sensation of suffocating when I try which is likely to lead to a panic attack or severe meltdown. I too find that I become very distracted and can't really focus on anything.

I tried wearing many different types of face covering but I also found that I had difficulty walking safely especially on stairs as the top of the face covering affected my downward peripheral vision which I suspect I normally use to compensate for my poor balance.

Fortunately, I'm in England where the regulations allow for exemptions. I have a snood which I can manage for very short periods and occasionally wear it in a shop if I am going to be in and out in less than a couple of minutes, but generally I don't wear any face covering. I have a Sunflower lanyard with a "Face Covering Exempt" card from Hidden Disabilities which I make sure I always have with me when I go out anywhere. I had a couple of unpleasant confrontations when face coverings first became mandatory in England but have not had any problems since then.

Have you contacted the university about it? I assume you are in the USA. I'm not familiar with the regulations there but if they are broadly similar to England there shouldn't be a problem. The issues you describe certainly sound pretty disabling.

I am sure I look like a Karen and a Trump supporter when I am not wearing one. I will put one on when I go indoors that require one. So far I have not been assaulted yet for not wearing one or harassed.

I had gotten used to wearing one now and my work got these masks that are cloth and my only issue is I feel no one can hear me speak so I lift it when I talk and I have had to change how I breathe so I won't fog up my glasses and I won't wear one when I am by myself. Plus they make me droll when they are hugging my mouth and then I get va wet spot on it.

Have you tried distant learning to see if you can do your courses online?

Luckily we are not required to still wear on in a restaurant when we eat and you can do take out or order online and pick it up at the store when you grocery shop.

I did a thread on here weeks back talking about my issue with face masks and asking if anyone had a recommendation what masks I shall try that works for them.

I don't know of you will also get used to it like my face finally did. I also had issues when my city was starting to enforce it. Back then it was just recommended, not mandatory and then the transportation company here started to push it by making it mandatory, then the city and then the state.

Thanks for replying! you're the first person I've talked to who has the same problem, it's nice to know that I'm not crazy. I haven't noticed any issues with my balance as I usually take face coverings off in stairwells, but I can imagine the difficulties that would cause.

I'm glad people have become more accepting where you live. I wonder if America has anything like your lanyard. I've tried to get some resources to figure out what I should do, but all I find are results like: "Why People Don't Think They Need Masks" and "Why You Should Wear A Mask" or, "The Science Behind Masks".

I'm going to contact my admissions counselor on either Sunday or Monday. I don't want to wait too long, but they have all been working so hard to get us on campus and I want to respect his time off for the weekend. The school is supposed to offer accomodations for Autism, so hopefully it will work out. It's become very political though, so I'm not sure what to expect.

How are things going with Covid and quarantine in England? I don't know much about what's happening in other countries. I hear or read one thing and then someone else disagrees, and both somehow have scientific data to back up their claims.

Lack of assault is always a good thing! I hope things continue to go well!


Yeah, I have the same problem with glasses. My masks don't usually last long especially since I fidget with them a lot unintentionally.


During my last months of senior year when quarantine first came into action I did all my classes online, but I have trouble communicating in an online classroom environment as well as difficulty with understanding instructions so it's a recipe for disaster thankfully my classes in high school weren't very rigorous so I was alright, but my university is known to be academically challenging.



I'm glad you were able to get used to it, being able to wear a mask makes things so much easier with stores and restaurants. I have to go to sleep, but have a great evening/night/morning/afternoon!

Security won't let me in the building if I don't have a mask on.

Masks don’t cause hypoxia. Your oxygen levels are just fine. Many professions from healthcare to construction wear masks 8-12h+/day. Practice wearing one until you get used to it.

Quite possibly true, but nobody on this thread has claimed that they do. If you're comfortable wearing a face covering, then crack on. I'm not going to.

I cant wear one as I dont breathe. I hold my breath when something covers my face... It is not an issue as since the lockdown I have rarely been in a shop anyway as I tend to panic in shops and I find trying to queue causes me to shut down, so it is not an issue. I just don't buy things in shops and go without.

I didn't suggest that it causes hypoxia, I said I feel like I can't breathe while I'm wearing a mask.

The mask thing bothered me at first because I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t stand it.... and also the texture of the mask I was wearing was horrid. But I found a way around it. I started wearing lighter materials. I have no clue what they’re made out of, but they’re not hard to find. I also found that wearing a neck scarf also works.. for me at least.

I'm sorry you have to go without. Queuing is definitley stressful. Talking to the person at the register is what I have the most trouble with, I'm always worried I'll mess something up or misunderstand something when I walk up. It got easier once I got a job in retail because I could understand what they were thinking better. I still tense up when an employee walks up to me and asks if I need any help though Self-check outs are a God-send.

I'm sorry you had a hard time in the beginning, I know being unable to follow the mask rule makes this whole situation more stressful. I'm really happy for you that you were able to find something that works. I said this earlier in the chat/topic, but as far as I can tell as an observer, it really does make life easier, fewer judgemental whispers and angry looks. I'm glad that you will have one less layer of stress moving forward.

I too start breathing faster and have had several panic attacks wearing masks, after years of none. I've taught Sunday School 1st/2nd graders for 4 yrs, quite content and thought I'd do so for many years more. We've been off for the covid season and are sceduled to start up tomorrow 9/6. Went to the kids 'back to children's church party' yesterday and they were waiting outside with masks on. I turned around and left, snuck in this morning and left my short notice resignation letter on the director's desk. I've don't shop Wallys or anyplace that requires a mask, cut my own hair these days. I find that 'working man' places such as home improvement supplies don't enforce mask wearing. From reading studies and hunting for covid data weekly, I've concluded that while covid is a nasty flu, yes it'll kill grandpa who has emphezema, but the cost of shut down policies are killing twice the people. Generally, I avoid wearing a mask and have found a way to thrive, but then I'm retired living in a rural area.

Almost had a full shutdown today. Not my fault.

If you're in the UK you can print off a card from the national autistic society saying that you genuinely can't wear one. It means that you're exempt.

Personally I think our doctors should be sending them out (to avoid fakes and to help autistic people who might not know this) but that's the system.

Personally I can wear my second mask. The first one I could wear but it was really uncomfortable. The second one is fine.