I often feel like I'm going the other way; sliding from high to low functioning. As the demands of the "adult world" increase, and pressures to perform at a higher level at work and in school get worse, I find myself sliding more and more frequently into bouts of non-verbal stimming, or aimless pacing or walking around the block, fixating on tiny details like the veins on the leaves of every tree I pass. I feel restless and on edge in a way that's not quite anxiety, but it feels like I'm going to crawl out of my skin if I don't jump around flapping, or squeeze myself with my weighted vest, or shut down the higher cognitive functions of my brain and sit for hours watching the little penguins in my oil and water toy slosh back and forth. I have an excellent grasp of words and verbal communication but there are days (like today for instance) when the idea of opening my mouth and speaking feels completely unbearable and repulsive, and all I do is make noises and hum. Even too much verbal input from others, other sources such as the TV, or even inside my own head push me toward frustration and overload. I can't even think too many words at once without feeling my self-control slip, pushing me towards a meltdown.
_________________
"Survival is insufficient" - Seven of Nine
Diagnosed with ASD level 1 on the 10th of April, 2014
Rediagnosed with ASD level 2 on the 4th of May, 2019
Thanks to Olympiadis for my fantastic avatar!