Does stress flare Asperger's symptoms?

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Followthereaper90
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29 Dec 2010, 9:14 am

totally


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29 Dec 2010, 10:40 am

Stress causes meltdowns - and more often recently, shutdowns (but more stress than is typical, a lot more). I also stim a lot more.

I can get things done under stress, especially on a deadline, if the stress isn't causing other problems, or if I can manage those problems.



hesting
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29 Dec 2010, 1:03 pm

Yes. At least for the "negative" symptoms.



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29 Dec 2010, 1:24 pm

Stress makes almost everything more difficult to handle. It lowers immunity, it increases or worsens symptoms or undesirable characteristics of one's condition, it feeds upon itself and is all around a bad thing.

Well, maybe not all around. I've done some of my best work under high-pressure deadlines ~~ however, that's not the case anymore. My ability to estimate and allocate my time has been affected by [something] and now, I miss deadlines more often than not. Now that I'm aware of what's going on to cause that, maybe I can improve the situation.



another_1
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29 Dec 2010, 3:00 pm

No question about it for me.

About a year ago I decided to return to school and get a degree. At one point last semester, I was stressing about my classes so badly that one night I discovered myself using my old, awkward and very stereotypically Aspie walk - which I haven't done since 1972. 8O Even when I realized it, I was unable to force myself to return to my "newer" style of walking. It returned on its own a few days later, when midterms were over. I also caught myself performing stims which I hadn't done in so long I'd forgotten I used to do them.

I am currently having issues in my relationship. It is highly likely that we will break up. Again - old forgotten stims have returned, to the point, last night, that I was headbanging and vocalizing really weird sounds which are in no way related to anything in the English language. It has been decades since I did either of those.

So, yeah. :( Put me under enough stress and I start to lose my coping skills, turning into a substantially different person than anyone I currently know has ever seen.



vetwithAS
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29 Dec 2010, 7:01 pm

I've found that I'm unable to write my papers for school unless I'm crunched for time. The same goes for work, the more I am stressed about time, the more I get into the zone. But if my driver (I work for an armored truck company) takes a wrong turn, I'll have a momentary meltdown and lash out. Also, if I'm nervous I'll start to tap my fingers or pace if I'm standing.



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14 Nov 2012, 1:22 am

Spudster wrote:
Hi all,

Does stress flare anyone's Aspergers' symptoms? Both the good and the bad? When I'm working on a project (I'm a grad student) and come under extraordinary stress, I become unbearably churlish and even more socially withdrawn but my mind begins firing on all cylinders and actually come up with some really awesome stuff. Does this sound like something other Aspies have experienced?

Thanks all,
Spudster


I've been under extreme stress since 4 and it has resulted in amazing accomplishments, as my
Mind is able to segment information and connect the dots... People get paid alot of money to do what I do when my aspergers is way out of control. But put me in a social setting and I am such a dumb ass noone would know how brave I've been to always do my best. Thankgoodness for Facebook or people would never know my secret life!



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14 Nov 2012, 1:47 am

Yes.


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Zokk
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14 Nov 2012, 1:57 am

Spudster wrote:
When I'm working on a project (I'm a grad student) and come under extraordinary stress, I become unbearably churlish and even more socially withdrawn but my mind begins firing on all cylinders and actually come up with some really awesome stuff.

That sounds pretty much exactly like what happens to me when I get stressed out.


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Sagroth
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14 Nov 2012, 2:24 am

As others have said in the thread: oh my, yes.


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Joe90
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14 Nov 2012, 10:19 am

Stress can cause AS symptoms in non-Autistics aswell (if they are prone to anxiety). My mum is NT but has had a lot of real stress in the last few years, and now she despises socialising even more than I do. She also hates her routine changed, and has started getting extremely angry over small things like a small stain on the floor or something. She never used to be like this until all this personal stress came upon her.

So if it can cause some AS symptoms in NTs that are stressed, it definately causes natural symptoms in Autistics to flare up. It can me anyway.


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TonyHoyle
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14 Nov 2012, 11:02 am

If I'm stressed I stop pretending to be social at all and just blank everybody. Mostly because I'm concentrating on what's stressed me and don't want to be bother with the other meatbags at that moment.

OTOH in that mode I solve the problem in double quick time, so it's a net positive.



mljt
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14 Nov 2012, 11:11 am

I've noticed my anxiety, stimming and being bad with social interaction have all got worse recently now I'm going through a massive period of change in my life.



shyengineer
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14 Nov 2012, 11:44 am

Spudster wrote:
Hi all,

Does stress flare anyone's Aspergers' symptoms? Both the good and the bad? When I'm working on a project (I'm a grad student) and come under extraordinary stress, I become unbearably churlish and even more socially withdrawn but my mind begins firing on all cylinders and actually come up with some really awesome stuff. Does this sound like something other Aspies have experienced?

Thanks all,
Spudster


I'm exactly like this. Putting on a social façade takes a lot of brain power. When I need that power, my façade fails. I need to look like grumpy stoner to be brilliant. However, that's not socially acceptable, so I tend to under-achieve at work where much of my energy is spent playing the part of a regular person.



slave
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14 Nov 2012, 12:43 pm

Spudster wrote:
Hi all,

Does stress flare anyone's Aspergers' symptoms? Both the good and the bad? When I'm working on a project (I'm a grad student) and come under extraordinary stress, I become unbearably churlish and even more socially withdrawn but my mind begins firing on all cylinders and actually come up with some really awesome stuff. Does this sound like something other Aspies have experienced?

Thanks all,
Spudster


Does for me.



GiantHockeyFan
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14 Nov 2012, 1:57 pm

shyengineer wrote:
I'm exactly like this. Putting on a social façade takes a lot of brain power. When I need that power, my façade fails. I need to look like grumpy stoner to be brilliant. However, that's not socially acceptable, so I tend to under-achieve at work where much of my energy is spent playing the part of a regular person.

Good observation. Despite having a ridiculously easy job and no kids, several people have told me lately I look completely mentally drained while I'm on the job. I think it might have to do with how much effort I have put into looking 'normal' at work.

Now, to answer to original question, YES! When I'm stressed I shut down socially completely and start getting very disoriented like I'm on drugs. I also find it hard to think straight but I can suddenly get laser focus seemingly out of nowhere. If you ever doubt I'm an Aspie you need to see me under stress as it becomes glaringly obvious.