Sensory Stimming/overload & obsessions

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ConfusedAlot
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12 Jun 2014, 2:19 am

Ok, so I have a couple questions for all you lovely people:

Sensory overload/stimming - Ok so I bite my lips A LOT. I like the sensations of peeling, which is probably why I used to like getting hobby glue on my hands because I liked to peel the glue off. I don't know why, I just like it. I also fidget and tap and rock my foot a lot, and I like to brush clothing labels (and only particular kinds of labels) or folded, blunt paper under my fingernails. I hated it when my mum would cut my nails as a child because she would always do them too short and not only would it feel uncomfortable in general, but I couldn't rub things under the nail.

Does anyone else have this?

Also, I'm not sure if I get any sound/smell overload, but I'm not really a fan of the beach, especially if it's really windy or sunny, and when sand gets everywhere on your skin. I also find that sometimes I look up from my computer screen and it feels like all the lights are suddenly so bright that I squint, and even get a headache - same with really sunny days. I get headaches if I smell strong perfume or coffee for a very long time too.

I'm not big on touch either and sometimes people touch me and I can feel it for ages after and it feels like I need to watch it off. I also get that urge to push away a lot when I have to give the obligatory family hugs. When my husband unexpectedly hugs me and I'm in a bad mood, I snap and can even just start crying. I was the kid that  threw tantrums because my clothes were too tight, too loose, too itchy, too scratchy etc etc and also when I got sticky/dirty or when I spilt something on my clothes. I've learnt to repress this mostly, but I guess touch is something that still bothers me. I don't think I ever experience intense pain, just discomfort because of it.

Could this be an NT thing or is it def Aspie?

 I get obsessed with stuff easily and very intensely. I think about my interest of the moment all the time, want to talk about it all the time and forget to eat and sleep because of it. I know how to compartmentalise and not talk to certain people about it, but ppl I can be myself with I will talk to them about it (and annoy them).

Is this NT or aspie/adhd?



ImAnAspie
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12 Jun 2014, 6:00 am

I'm trying to learn not to flinch or pull away when people go to touch me.


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Dr_Cheeba
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12 Jun 2014, 7:50 pm

ConfusedAlot wrote:
I'm not big on touch either and sometimes people touch me and I can feel it for ages after and it feels like I need to watch it off. I also get that urge to push away a lot when I have to give the obligatory family hugs. When my husband unexpectedly hugs me and I'm in a bad mood, I snap and can even just start crying. I was the kid that  threw tantrums because my clothes were too tight, too loose, too itchy, too scratchy etc etc and also when I got sticky/dirty or when I spilt something on my clothes. I've learnt to repress this mostly, but I guess touch is something that still bothers me. I don't think I ever experience intense pain, just discomfort because of it.

Could this be an NT thing or is it def Aspie?

 I get obsessed with stuff easily and very intensely. I think about my interest of the moment all the time, want to talk about it all the time and forget to eat and sleep because of it. I know how to compartmentalise and not talk to certain people about it, but ppl I can be myself with I will talk to them about it (and annoy them).

Is this NT or aspie/adhd?


I would say both of these are Aspie things.

I relate to almost everything you said in the quoted part here. I have this thing where I have an urge to be close to people and be touched but at the same time I am extremely uncomfortable being touched or hugged, especially by surprised. But I still have a need for it... Very conflicting. I loved to cuddle with my ex-girlfriend though and hold her.
I also hated when clothes were too tight or too baggy. They had to fit just right. I remember I use to always get clothes as presents for christmas and birthdays and eventually I had to be honest with everyone and tell them to just buy me gift certificates cause I NEVER wore the clothes haha. If it didn't fit perfect, I wouldn't wear it and felt extremely uncomfortable in it. I remember getting so angry and frustrated with clothing that I would literally tear shirts off me in 2 and rip them up in my tantrums haha.
Also, I am still made fun of by my family to this day for always saying "Does this stain?" I am notoriously clumsy and panicked whenever I spilt something on my clothes.

I also get extrememly obessed with a subject or interest to the point of putting all my actual NEEDS by the wayside. Eventually I'll move on to another interest and leave the other one in the dust. I never understood this aspect about me until learning about aspergers. I am sometimes called "Repeat" by people whom are close to me because I'll talk about the same thing over and over. I just can't help it. Obviously, as an adult, I see this in myself and try to stop when around most people. But I used to drive my ex-girlfriend crazy :P She saw it as "cute" and would just honestly tell me "You've told me this already honey."


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ConfusedAlot
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12 Jun 2014, 8:30 pm

Dr_Cheeba I totally relate.

My parents used to poke fun at me too because I was very OCD with my room and toys and didn't like other people to enter my room or touch my stuff (including friends!) When my parents had people over they would tell them to go in my room and move something by just a smidge and see if I could tell what they moved - I always could! I used to align things on my dresser, so that the jewellery box was at the same alignment as the vase on the other side, which meant I could tell when things had been moved. This caused problems for my parents because people would tell them I was spoiled and selfish and wouldn't share my toys. I was different at school because the stuff at school wasn't mine and so wasn't an extension of myself. I would hate it when my toys were dirtied or ruined in some way and mum and dad would always say, "We get you all these toys and you don't even play with them!" I don't think I'm OCD though because I don't have a fear or germs and being uncleanly in that sense, I just like things to be perfect and like to organise things.

I have an issue with dogs too. Although I love the animals (and animals in general), they are dirty and licky and wet and just grubby most of the time, which kinda freaks me out. Even so, I remember talking to our dogs a lot - they are great listeners and never judge!

Being a girl, I did have dolls and barbies, but I don't think I had a lot of "imaginative" play. I mostly dressed them up and down. I enjoyed being creative though and I remember playing a lot on our playstation, or with lego, or making stories up - I loved stories. I don't get how Aspie aren't good at imaginative play, but some can be writers and keen storytellers - what's the difference in the brain?

Unfortunately my husband doesn't think my constant chatter is cute :lol: he get's annoyed often, but he's lovely and very patient too. I think I must repeat stuff a lot because I get the, "You've told me this already" a lot too. My mum is like that too, always telling us the same stories or info. I guess I'm right in thinking I may genuinely has Asperger's! My diagnostic appointment is next week and it can't come any sooner! It's good to hear that you're similar though, Dr_Cheeba - it means this isn't just in my head!