Page 1 of 1 [ 5 posts ] 

Dots
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 22 Apr 2010
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Posts: 972
Location: Ontario

23 Feb 2013, 8:36 pm

I feel like my autism is getting regressing, not just in the social area, but this post is specifically about that. When I'm out with someone, I get worn out within an hour. I can't hold a conversation. No eye contact. I've spent much of this week completely alone in my room, had days where I didn't speak to anyone. This felt like bliss.

I've been stimming more in public, which I don't mind, but sometimes it's as noticeable as rocking front to back while sitting.

But the worst, is I'm starting to become afraid of going out at all. Not full blown Agoraphobia, but I do feel anxious to return to my room when I'm outside of my house running errands. But crowds really get me. I usually have a weekly choir rehearsal with more than 100 people in a room. I'm getting anxious for the next one, on Monday. I wouldn't be able to escape until break if I was panicking, and my most comforting stim is rocking, which I will not let myself do in a room of 100 peers. I have trouble with conversation, too. Translating the thoughts to words just gets stuck somewhere. The sopranos are often singing above the staff too and I have difficulty with high pitch. (Maybe I could wear earplugs... hmm) So it's just going to be a massive overload if I go to that rehearsal.

I've been alone in my house this week, 4 other students live in it too, but this last week was reading week so there were no classes and they all went home. Maybe once they come back and I run into them occasionally I'll be able to get past this?

I don't know. What do you do when you regress to the point where you have trouble with basic conversation and leaving your house?


_________________
Transgender. Call me 'he' please. I'm a guy.
Diagnosed Bipolar and Aspergers (questioning the ASD diagnosis).

Free speech means the right to shout 'theatre' in a crowded fire.
--Abbie Hoffman


btbnnyr
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 18 May 2011
Gender: Female
Posts: 7,359
Location: Lost Angleles Carmen Santiago

23 Feb 2013, 8:42 pm

I would take a break from unnecessary social interactions for awhile. I would do what I needed to do for school and cut out the rest.


_________________
Drain and plane and grain and blain your brain, and then again,
Propane and butane out of the gas main, your blain shall sustain!


jk1
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 30 Sep 2012
Gender: Male
Posts: 6,817

23 Feb 2013, 9:09 pm

I think before it reaches a point where you cannot function, you'd better see a doctor to prevent it from happening. Nothing's wrong with enjoying solitary moments, but it can be debilitating if you can't even do essential things because of your discomfort of being around people.



Dots
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 22 Apr 2010
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Posts: 972
Location: Ontario

23 Feb 2013, 9:12 pm

What could a doctor do? I'm already on a benzo, which is what they would probably prescribe for anxiety. I have a psychiatrist, I'm just afraid that if I go to her and start telling her I can't be around people she'll just tell me to try harder.

And maybe that's what I need, a behaviourist approach. Some way to break up reintegrating with the world into steps.


_________________
Transgender. Call me 'he' please. I'm a guy.
Diagnosed Bipolar and Aspergers (questioning the ASD diagnosis).

Free speech means the right to shout 'theatre' in a crowded fire.
--Abbie Hoffman


windtreeman
Velociraptor
Velociraptor

User avatar

Joined: 17 Jul 2012
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Posts: 498
Location: Seattle, Washington

23 Feb 2013, 9:25 pm

Hopefully it's just a phase that you'll get through. I was in your position about two weeks ago; my old high school friends had both gotten back into town and they like to get together every other night or so and because nothing we do is ever set in stone (we just 'play it by ear' each night) I found myself becoming increasingly panicked before each hangout till the point that I dreaded the phone call asking if I was free to go out. Feeling anxiety before hanging out with two of the most non-judgmental, chill and understanding people was a pretty terrifying notion so I made an enormous effort to combat the nerves and just go for it. After a week of facing my fears and realizing that 99% of them were totally baseless, I actually feel like I've totally pulled through this and feel great about spending time with them again. Perhaps once your roommates do come back, you'll feel back in the routine of being social and socially energetic? As far as the over-stimulation due to the sensory issues of choir, that's definitely not something you can just desensitize yourself too, as far as I'm aware, so I have no advice there, unfortunately :/.


_________________
Assessed 11/17/12
Diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 12/12/12
My vocal and guitar covers (Portishead, Radiohead and Muse) http://www.youtube.com/user/DreaminginWaves/featured