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Raleigh
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31 Oct 2014, 6:51 pm

Now it's the weekend I've been reviewing the past week and all I can think is, "I was so autistic this week!"
My thinking was so rigid. Interactions with people at work and home were very strained. I felt less capable, executive functioning declined and I think I may have left the planet at one point.
Why does this happen? Is it mood related or environmental? Can anyone else relate?


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andrethemoogle
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31 Oct 2014, 6:57 pm

For me it's stress related. I feel more disabled then I'm stressed out of my mind and less when I'm not as stressed, if that makes any sense.



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31 Oct 2014, 6:59 pm

Whenever I am overloaded in a sensory sense, I feel more autistic then usual.



Raleigh
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31 Oct 2014, 7:16 pm

I was feeling overly autistic right from the start of the week and I don't think I was any more stressed than usual at that point. Then it just seemed to spiral downwards from there. I am wondering if hormones could play a part?


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dianthus
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31 Oct 2014, 7:50 pm

Raleigh wrote:
I am wondering if hormones could play a part?


I think it does for me.

I have been very weirded out this week, but I know what it relates to. New supervisor coming at work, and had a very awkward last conversation with the old one.



Jensen
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31 Oct 2014, 8:12 pm

You are newly diagnosed and naturally focused on what is autistic. I would assume, that this could be part of it. When you suddenly become aware, things are intensified.


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L_Holmes
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31 Oct 2014, 10:23 pm

I do this too. Then it makes me wonder if I am just acting more autistic, and then I start to wonder if I actually have it or not, and then I think about my childhood and all my various autistic traits that I have noticed and compiled in my head, especially the ones from when I was a kid, and then I think, "Why the heck didn't they diagnose me as a kid? It was so obvious then that I wouldn't have this problem!" :lol:

I think for me it's like Jensen said, I'm just noticing it more. The biggest thing that proves this to me, is that I actually feel like my sensory issues have gotten worse. It's untrue, I know it is, it's just because I now know that it isn't normal. I do remember many times growing up that I wondered things like, "Why don't they cover their ears? It is so loud!" I assumed they were just being tough, so sometimes I tried to be tough like them. Now I know they were probably not bothered to begin with. I also remember my mom (who probably has SPD, not sure if she has AS) saying, "You're just like me, when there's too much chaos I just get overwhelmed."

I don't know if that is your problem though. I have noticed some weeks like you said, where it is WAY more clear to me how autistic I am being. I got a new job recently (thank goodness). Ever since I left my old job, I've noticed that I've had less difficulty talking to people and I don't get overwhelmed so easily, so I know the way I was acting before was because of how stressful that job was for me.

It could also be hormones like you said. I definitely have had days that were just way harder for no apparent reason, so I bet that hormones play a role at least.


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EzraS
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31 Oct 2014, 11:19 pm

I definitely have days where I feel more or extra autistic. Things like, exhaustion, stress, sensory overload and not enough sleep contribute to that.



Raleigh
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01 Nov 2014, 12:25 am

Jensen and L_Holmes - you may be right.

Maybe I'm over-analysing.
Before finding Wrong Planet I never knew there was so much to autism. Practically every day I've been finding posts on here where people describe traits, ideas or ways of thinking that are amazingly similar (or exactly identical) to my own.
The more traits I identify in myself the more I am able to analyse my own behaviours from an autism POV. It's like I have an autism behaviour indicator in my head.

It goes something like this:

"I have absolutely no idea what he means by that."
***Unable to read expression. BING! Autism***
"I'm looking at her lips instead of her eyes."
***Avoiding eye contact. BING! Autism***
"It's way too bright in here!"
***Sensitivity to light. BING! Autism***
"Was that a joke? Am I supposed to laugh?"
***Unable to identify sarcasm. BING! Autism***
"Too much input. Can't take any more."
***Shutdown. BING! Autism***

What the hell's wrong with me?
Oh yeah, right. BING! AUTISM.

Similar to L_Holmes, I have always had these traits. I just didn't have something concrete to relate them to. I've always had dysfunctional days or weeks but I didn't know why. I'm not sure if I'm better for the knowing or not. :?

:star: Btw, CONGRATULATIONS L_Holmes on your new job! It's great that you feel less stressed now.


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01 Nov 2014, 4:55 am

When I am stressed or too busy, I become more autistic. But also, when I am at home alone, doing my own thing, I am in a way "more autistic", because I shut msyelf off from the world, don't text, don't call, don't speak. So there's two different situations: stress = more autistic ; being alone + being allowed to self-isolate = more autistic.


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Jensen
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01 Nov 2014, 7:23 am

Yes, congratulations, Holmes. :D Perhaps you are looking at some years in a satisfying job, where you can feel calm and do, what you´re good at. Best of luck.

Raleigh, what you describe here is just "becoming aware", gathering the facts - and that allways looks like over focus and self absorbtion, - but it is a nescessary process.

I still have trouble recognizing "those days". My best indicators are: Dangerous in the traffic (too distractable), heightened sound sensitivity and being overstressed by sudden change in plans and, all in all, being less social.


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Last edited by Jensen on 01 Nov 2014, 6:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

naturalplastic
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01 Nov 2014, 9:08 am

Raleigh wrote:
Now it's the weekend I've been reviewing the past week and all I can think is, "I was so autistic this week!"
My thinking was so rigid. Interactions with people at work and home were very strained. I felt less capable, executive functioning declined and I think I may have left the planet at one point.
Why does this happen? Is it mood related or environmental? Can anyone else relate?


You didn't eat enough broccoli!

Just kidding.

They recently found chemicals in broccoli that help with autitic symptoms.

I got stressed this past week, and lost track of the day of the week myself.

It happens with stress.



Lumi
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01 Nov 2014, 12:25 pm

SteelMaiden wrote:
When I am stressed or too busy, I become more autistic. But also, when I am at home alone, doing my own thing, I am in a way "more autistic", because I shut msyelf off from the world, don't text, don't call, don't speak. So there's two different situations: stress = more autistic ; being alone + being allowed to self-isolate = more autistic.


I am that way, except I talk a little (not on my phone -it is rare).


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Raleigh
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01 Nov 2014, 2:00 pm

naturalplastic wrote:
You didn't eat enough broccoli!
Just kidding.
They recently found chemicals in broccoli that help with autitic symptoms.

It's funny you should say that. When I returned to work after the incident that happened this week, one of my autistic co-workers gave me a certain look and said, "Should've eaten your broccoli!"
This has been like a running joke at my workplace since the 'broccoli cure' story came out.
There's an ad on TV here for glasses that shows someone making an awkward mistake because they can't see properly with the glasses they have, then someone says, "should've gone to Specsavers!" In a very chipper voice.
If someone does something really awkward or obviously autistic at work now the other person will say (in the exact same tone of voice from the ad), "Should've eaten your broccoli!"
It has lightened the mood at work somewhat. :lol:


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01 Nov 2014, 3:43 pm

In my experience, it's environmental. More specifically it's due to the foods you consume & to a much lesser extent chemicals you come into skin contact with. I'm one who's had great success treating symptoms via diet, herbal detox to the nth degree, and probiotics.


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01 Nov 2014, 5:53 pm

I can go for several days being 'normal' (we'll debate the meaning when I am more awake :lol:). The trouble is I am not 'normal' I am just acting and so don't notice the slow build up of sensory input and stress building up. Then I have an 'autistic' day and wonder why I can't just hold it together like I normally do! Maybe I should stop acting!


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