Body won't relax

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I'm pretty positive this is related to some sort of overload, but I would just like input and or somebody to just reassure me I'm not a nutcase. This is something I've always had issues with, but for the longest time it was downplayed when I was a child and I was usually dismissed in some way as if I could will the anxious feeling away if I just had positive thoughts. Except, it's not mental at all (sometimes I'm not even in a worried state) and is almost entirely a physical upset. I just feel like nobody understands when I try to talk about it, and it's making me a little sad.

The best way I can explain it is through an example. Say somebody has a really important project for school that they've been working on, they usually says things like "I can finally breath" after turning it in/presenting it/getting the grade back. I never ever feel like a weight has been lifted after something is over if it has upset me to a certain point. Even if I think "Oh, it turned out okay, you can relax now", my body doesn't allow it. I feel like my system gets "shocked". It's almost like I'm helpless to it and usually the feeling just controls me until the stimming and upset wears me out enough for me to go to bed, then I wake up feeling better. It has been impacting me quite a bit in terms of functioning and my relationships especially. I have to opt out completely if I'm talking with somebody and I've been upset by something said or done and I'm not able to reason it out, like I usually try to in a clearer mind frame, even if I'd like to. I think this is just happening more recently because I've been very stressed and all sorts of fun things happen when these times come. I'm sure this is related to aspergers (correct me if I'm wrong), but I'm really just recently coming around to the diagnosis forever after I was actually diagnosed, so I've never quite learned to efficiently deal with things.

I'm sorry you feel this way; it must be frustrating.

I wonder if doing breathing exercises might help--rhythmic breathing. Maybe take ten deep breaths, then relax after each breath.

I also believe that physical activity probably would help as well: it would render you too "tired" to feel the overload.

Have you spoken to a professional about this?

Does it affect your schoolwork/work on your job?

This sounds very familiar. It's a sensory overload. Stress and anxiety can really affect someone with autism in the wrong way. I mostly get tired, sleep 20 minutes to an hour and then I feel much better. Sometimes I am so tired I can sleep the whole day. Most of the time this happens after I have done something outside or went to something like a party. You just need rest when you feel that way.

It can really influence your day. You need to make decisions what to do in a day because if I do to much I can go to bed and not do anything the next day. You need to learn to pick up on the signs and then rest accordingly. I know it feels weak to have to rest all the time but in time it will get better. Never stop doing things because of this. Through practice it gets better and you can last longer. I have the proof of that.

Good luck with handeling this! It's harsh.

A less unhealthy diet, yoga, and walking or spending time in a natural environment help me a lot with stress. For me, the yoga gives some resistance to stress.

I don't feel good in my body at all, but I know I am healthy.

It sounds like it might be stress, anxiety, or ADHD. If you're not taking any other medications----and, you don't have any allergies to meds----I would suggest getting some Benedryl (or any kind of anti-histamine medication). It's FABULOUS for what you're describing, and can be taken as needed. (I also recommend it to people who have a fear of flying.) It can cause drowsiness, but only if you succumb to it----if you want to keep going, you can. I have a medicine like this, that I take on an "as needed" basis, for my anxiety, and it's wonderful!! If you find yourself taking it too often (be sure to read the instructions to determine how many you can safely take in one day), you most definitely need to seek professional help.

Good luck!!

I think a lot of people with autism can get overwhelmed easier than people without autism, also anxiety disorders are not uncommon co-morbids, if you feel edgy like your body won't relax a lot or most of the time it could be anxiety in addition to the autism. I have both, used to think the anxiety was just normal didn't think it was unusual that i constantly felt uncomfortable, nervous/anxious/afraid/worried and couldn't usually relax...but learned that is part of anxiety and most people do not feel like that consistently.

Try extreme hot and then cold showers to try and help your body relax, thats what I do and it helps. but I have other issues too, its been years since I had a real night sleep, I wake up about every 1-2 hours and cant seem to go right back to sleep, then I end up taking cat naps all day because I am so tiered. and secondly my feet tingle like ants are crawling all over them all the time, and the more tiered I am the worse they get exacerbating the problem.

I get this a lot and weighted blankets have helped me a lot.

I've had this since as long as I can remember. My body aches all the time, but I can only relax my muscles by concentrating on doing so. My natural state is "flight" and feeling constantly threatened. It seems to get worse with age.

Have you considered Fibromyalgia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibromyalgia?. A lot of women on the spectrum complain of it. Unfortunately it seems to be another "women's issue" mainstream medicine misses.