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The real reason I don't like hugging and touching

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NJG
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06 Jan 2012, 1:01 am

Trying to understand my own reactions to hugging and what I think it comes down to is that I don't like being comforted. It's not so much as a physical violation of my space but an intrusion on an emotional level. People around me know I have not been doing very well, especially lately and have had a very difficult breakup. I have no problem at all putting my arm around someone in a playful manner but when a friend tries to hug me on an emotional level I push that person away and tell them not to. I don't want to open up emotionally anymore and find myself becoming more and more detached and withdrawn and the though of letting anyone in whether it be by talking or hugging or any other thing that can be used to provide comfort... I simply reject it.



hanyo
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06 Jan 2012, 4:47 am

Daryl_Blonder wrote:
We all know that not wanting to be touched is a common if not universal trait of ASD, and this includes hugging, but I’ve come to realize recently specifically WHY I don’t like to be hugged.

It’s because I view it as sexual. When I’m in the midst of an intimate encounter, I am very enthusiastic about touching and hugging. But other than then, I pull away and recoil. I feel it is an invasion of my personal space, regardless of the intentions of the other person.


I feel the same way. Fortunately the relatives that live near me never try to hug me.