Hitting self a sign of autism?

Post Reply New Topic

While not necessarily a sign of autism it happens a lot for various reasons.

I Personally have banged my head to the point of getting a headache in order to be able to emotionally express the pain that I feel inside when very depressed as at times I'm very emotionally expressionless in spite of having very negative thoughts about myself or things that are going on around me that have a negative impact on me.

Other times however I am emotionally overwhelmed & can't stop crying. I have been known to cry all day during really hard times, this happens even while I am at work many times. I just had to learn how to keep working in spite of the crying episodes.

This was not done to get attention. I was alone when I did the head banging & for the most part also the crying as well

I think it's the degree that people hit themselves that makes a difference. I mean, who hasn't seen someone face palm themselves when...well, whenever they smack themselves in the head with their hands. They can't all be autistic.

In a meltdown 3 years ago I full out started beating myself as an adult. Thankfully no one was around except my roomate's dog who fought me off of myself. Boxer/ pit bull mix. Most loving caring dog ever. Then dog and I laid down and napped.

My Aspie MIL would bite her hands when she was overloaded dealing with her kids.

I remember my husband telling me that, and I said "WTH? No normal adult does that in front of children." It was before she finally got diagnosed.

My family is a hot mess garbage fire, but that was something I never heard or saw. It was way before I knew anything about Autism.

My husband bangs his head in frustration during a meltdown, and has knocked himself out.

I've seen it a few times in the psych unit when someone was so over the top full of rage, they couldn't cope. Also seen in other children in special education.

It's a coping skill for over the top frustration and sensory overload. My friend says it is also common in prison.

The self-hurt physical abuse days are over.
It's now mainly emotional, poignant, psychological abuse like calling myself an idiot when I feel it needs to be said(outside of the public of course)