Do Birthday's Stress Anyone Else Out?

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Every Birthday I am incredibly stressed to the point it can trigger multiple panic attacks in one day to someone who usually gets about one a month, if that. I know it is common for autistic people to not like change but I do not know if this counts. Plus, I was not always stressed out by them, I think it began around the time I was 12 or 13 and has continued since. Perhaps part of it is due to me believing it will happen?

i do think that is part of it. in my experience anxiety attacks can trigger a sort of negative feedback loop.


in my case it is just the fear of getting older and having had nothing to show for it. i stopped looking forward to them when i was about 17

how old are you?

A little, yes. There's the thing about being a year older and having not been able to achieve some things I wanted to, and then there's the practical side of baking for guests and making sure my apartment is neat and, you know, at least somewhat looks like a place where a proper, responsible adult lives.

The celebrations itself, in all occasions? Never.
But dragging me to plan and execute any occasions can stress me out. Having an imposed role or job, having to mind urgency and the like, do stress me out especially if I went aimless and clueless.

Cluelessness to act and know what to do in any occasions by itself don't stress me out -- I can choose to leave or do whatever I want to just enjoy without getting on anyone's way. Or not, if I chose to be shameless.
But being imposed expectations as to how to act and know what to do will do cause to stress me out in any case.

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I will be 55 in two weeks. I look forward to the celebrations with family and friends.

The fact of getting older has never really bothered me much. But I always hated the expectation of having a celebration, especially if it was me who was expected to arrange it, and I don't like the kind of forced sociability which comes with being the centre of attention because "it's my special day". I never really saw what was "special" about the month and day happening to match the arbitrary date of my birth - it's just another day to me.

It has got easier since I've got older. People aren't so inclined to make a big fuss in general, and most of the people that I'm closest to know by now that I don't want any fuss, and they respect that.

Not since I was old enough that it became my own responsibility, so I didn't have to sit through an arranged party or event (which was often more about social circles than actually enjoying the day).

These days, I often even forget it, and I'm happy for it to be identical to any other day. I don't celebrate it in any way.

It's the birthday party bit... I always preferred a quiet birthday. Last birthday was the best as we went to a local beach and went for a walk.

I haven't had a birthday party since I was in elementary school, and really, that's the way I prefer it. I never mention to anyone that it's my birthday if I don't have to because I don't like all the attention it brings me.

I thought I was the only one who could've felt this way.

Yes, Birthdays do stress me out. I feel like they have become more of an obligation to celebrate as I've gotten older, and I hate how we may be expected to keep up with enjoying them. Age 19 was the last year I really cared about celebration. Since I turned 20 and thereafter, I haven't care much then.

If you want try not telling anyone it's your birthday