Does anyone know what this is and is it related to autism?

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I am professionly diagnosed as autistic. I would like to inquire about something that has happened to me before and whether it is related to autism. This is also my first post here, so hi everyone, i guess.

Anyway my best guess is that if it is related to autism its some form of extreme sensory overload. I typically don't get much in the way of sensory overload. Except sound. I can't think when it is loud and some specific sounds, or any sound if it is loud enough (nuerotypical people generally don't have problems with sound that loud so it isn't incredibly loud) make me want to curl up and block my ears, sometimes also making me want to bang my head.

Anyway, to what i made this post to ask about. This has happened 3 times in memory. Possibly more that I was too young to remember. It is like it is my brain has started malfunctioning and doesn't respond normally anymore. When I am in this 'mode' for lack of a better word, any sound at all causes it. Being to warm or to cold causes it. And some random images cause it but specifically one thing- skin, be it my own or someone elses, is far worse than anything else. It is essentially me lying on the floor, vomiting my stomach out and just dry heaving when my stomach is empty.

Each time this has happened it has been late at night, and each 'session' lasted several hours.

I don't know for sure if this has any relation to autism, but as i said before my only guess at what it is, is that it is some form of extreme sensory overload.
Can anyone help?

What else do you experience besides vomiting? Dizziness, nausea, panic etc?

I cant think at all. I don't have a good memory of it when it happens.
All i remember is the heaving my guts out and thr thoughts that cause it flashing through my head.

I seem to fall asleep at some point and wake up later unsure how long i was in that state, with only the hazy memory, lying on the ground in spit and vomit.

I just had another thought. Perhaps it could be some kind of siezure?

That's the thing autistic shutdown and seizures are similar in many ways. I base that on conversations I had with an epileptic comparing the two.

So what do you think it is, and could it possibly be dangerous?
Should i consult a doctor if so?

Welcome to WP It could be a seizure. I had them when I was young and I'm told it's not uncommon in autistic people. It's worth mentioning, that if you are diagnosed with epilepsy, they will probably cancel your license until you can demonstrate that the seizures are under control for a certain period and you would have submit an annual medical report for many years to come. Something to consider if you need to drive for work.

Well as i said, i have only ever had this 3 times (that i can remember) and each event was multiple years apart.
I am only 15 so I don't have a license yet.
Do you have any information about the correlation of autism and seizurres? It would be interesting to read about, given that siezures are extremely rare for anyone without epilepsy

I used to have seizures too when I was little.

Well with the episodes spaced that far apart over such a long period of time, that would seem to rule out something like a brain tumor as you're saying. But really you're only going to know if you get it diagnosed. Outside of that it's just guesswork.

When was the last time it happened to you?

Just over two years ago, when I was 13. Before that it was when I was 10. The first time I was about 6.
I have never known what it was and up untill now I didn't have internet to try to learn, or ask more knowledgeable people.

I have been worried about it happening again for a long time though. It was a really bad experience that I don't want to go through again.

I can relate to the nausea in regard to light (such as being on the computer too long). Haven't experience all of what you described, though.

I had panic attacks quite often when I was younger and I still do during my adult life and they usually happen because of the fear that I might be in an unsafe situation. For example, on a crowded bus especially, or watching a scary movie or if somebody is physically abusing me.

I suppose the worst for me regarding sensory overload and approaching shut down is when I hear a screaming and/or crying child. I have to put my hands over my ears or I will completely lose it and I'll usually run the other way if I can.

_________________
*** High Functioning Autism - Asperger's Syndrome ***

ADHD, OCD, and PTSD.

Keep calm and stim away.

I can relate to that. Its genetically pre programmed for humans to hate the sound of crying children, and its about 1000 times worse for people like us i guess.

When i hear a crying child i want to scream at the parent to shut their child up.
I don't, of course, but thats what i want to do. That and get the hell away.