Small spaces

Post Reply New Topic

For many years before I discovered that I have AS, I have enjoyed getting inside small spaces. I have a small closet I like to get inside of some times and I have a hard time sleeping without the bedroom door closed and a heavy comforter pulled up to my neck. I've read that many people with autism like to get in small spaces or wear pressure vests. It is quite comforting, but my question is why? What does this do for us that we like and how does it do this? Why is this comforting? Have any medical studies been done to try to figure this out?

I think small spaces limit the amount of sensory input that I am exposed to. It's unlikely a little space will be messy or loud or bright. And that is usually what I am looking for, a dark, quiet cave to climb in to "escape".

One of my clearest signs for me to recognize that I am overwhelmed is that I start to try to hide. Even at work and in public.

Going back to the womb? But that seems like it'd be for everybody, not just autistic people.

Yes, I too like to get into a small space when I'm shook up. Never need to stay there very long, though.

I _love_ to sleep under a heavy pile of blankets, completely wrapped in some of them, with a 20-lb cat sleeping on my torso, in a cold room. Of course, it's too hot to do that in the summer-- even a sheet is too hot then, but I still want to be wrapped in one. It's just, for me, the epitome of comfort, like I could float away in my cocoon with my cat.

I was just thinking about this the other day. So many people I've known have been claustrophobic, but I actually like small spaces.

That is something I never understood, why small spaces are scary for some people, but very comforting to others. I guess just the way our brains are made. My wife is claustrophobic, but I like small spaces.

Ditto for me. I have always liked small spaces. The same goes for the heavy bed covers, even having my cat on my chest!

Is this related to autism?

I'm not diagnosed with any autism spectrum disorder, but I was thinking about this same subject recently as well, as I'm starting to suspect mild Asperger's or PDD-NOS, and I was trying to list all my "odd" traits and characteristics.

Whenever I was a kid, any time I had a "meltdown," the best two ways to fix it were to shut myself inside a closet or another darker, quieter, small or enclosed space; or for somebody to hug me tightly and rock me slowly. Even still, if I'm extremely upset or freaking out about life, I still want to go to the closest or under my blankets if nothing better.

The Freud in me wants to say it's return to the womb, but it's probably more likely about sensation and perception.

Strikes me as instinct to get into a foxholelike place where predators can't find you.

I get claustrophobic if I estimate there's a chance of being trapped in the place, though. Depends. Can be either hiding spot or jail.

I also like small spaces. When I go to visit my parents and spend the night, I always end up going into the spare bedroom because it's so small. I feel safe in there.

Small spaces are nice. There's less to keep track of, and it feels more like I control the entire thing. Large spaces are nice for having tonnes of stuff to observe, though

Part of it is that deep pressure (the type of pressure that is someone hugging you tightly or from heavy blankets or such), causes the brain to produce more serotonin. In some groups of people, including autistic people, but not limited to us, this often is very calming.

As a baby, the most notable thing about me was that I insisted on being held constantly (beyond normal levels).

I have a weighted blanket and absolutely love it.

I am very insistent on being held if I'm not in a good mood, even at 22.

I like crawling into small spaces, they make me feel protected.

You're not alone in this.

I think the low sensory environment. I'm kind of hyposensitive where I need deep pressure blankets to help me sleep. Maybe being cramped in a tight space is like that too. I used to love hiding in closets and having heavy coats on top of me. Or I'd hide in clothes display racks in shopping centres.

This. So, so this. My ex-best friend was hugely claustrophobic. I'm exactly the opposite, I have claustrophilia! Hahaha. I love small spaces, they make me feel safe. I remember when I used to fight with my best friend when I was 12, I would hide in the linen closet, under the lowest shelf, and shut the door. I've spent a lot of time in closets in my life...
I also like heavy blankets, and sleep with my window open and fan on in the winter, just so I can bury myself in my squashy purple comforter. Where do you get the deep pressure blankets? I've always thought they would be great for me, and never known where to get one.

The one I have is just a very heavy and wide floor rug. But if I fold it up or sort of wrap in around me cocoon style, it's very weighty.

I'm sure you can buy weighted blankets online. Or make them yourself. You just need to fill them with something that can make them heavy.

You can buy them online, search "weighted blanket", or make them yourself. I bought 'polypellets' on ebay, and used two old but not worn sheets, and then spent a weekend sewing lots of pockets into the sheets (what you do is basically sew 4" vertical columns, put the portion of the pellets for one pocket into each column, push it down to the bottom, sew horizontally 4" from the previous seam and repeat, so that you get lots of 4"x4" pockets with pellets in it so its evenly weighted.)

I made mine, which is 25 lbs and queen sized, for < $50, and I also got some fabric for giving it a nice soft fuzzy cover (which I still haven't put on it, but am counting in the cost).

Whenever I loiter in the kitchen, I spend most of my time in the pantry with the door closed, surrounded by food that I eat in the dark. It's wonderfully relaxing.