Symptoms that appear to come and go? Is this normal?

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A_floating_moon
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11 Sep 2012, 7:19 am

Is this typical (or at least seen) in people that are diagnosed with autism?

Sometimes when I go to a mall, I feel fine. Tired by the end of the day maybe, but fine. But then every other time I go to the mall, I feel dizzy/disoriented at times (like when I go under certain kinds of lighting or try to walk through a crowded area alone. There were times I just wished I had someone to grab on to because I felt really "lost" like I was losing touch with my surroundings or something.

Is it normal for a non-autistic person to occasionally feel this way (disoriented or having difficulty and anxiety navigating though crowds) when a little, tiny bit tired OR socially anxious?

Second situation.......

When I work out, I throw on some socks. If the seam of the sock touches my toes, I must fix it because it is really distracting. The texture of the socks also distracts me in an unpleasant but not painful way. If the socks shift on my feet when dancing, it distracts me and gives me anxiety. Sometimes I have to put effort into ignoring my feet.

Though, this often(though not always) fades after a while and I am able able to ignore the sensations for some time (though not if the socks change position on my feet at all). Also, for some reason this wasn't much of a problem in years past. I don't know what has changed. Could this be OCD/paranoia? I think I was one of those little kids that tiptoed occasionally and skipped and such, but I don't recall my feet having been sensitive before....

Does this sound like an 'abnormal' sensory issue? Or autism related?

Thanks for any help with this...



PixelPony
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11 Sep 2012, 9:26 pm

For a while I worried that I was some how faking it and fooling even myself for reasons like you mention. Sometimes, I can handle the sensory overload, sometimes I can't.

Instead of worrying about it, be thankful that you're able to handle it sometimes. It's an ability not everyone on the spectrum has.



Sweetleaf
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11 Sep 2012, 10:11 pm

Well I don't know of any mental disorder in which you experience all of the symptoms 24/7...it also can depend on how much stress you are under as too much stress can worsen any unpleasant symptoms. So it is certainly possible to be more in control at some times than in others.


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League_Girl
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11 Sep 2012, 11:36 pm

Mine come and go too.


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musicforanna
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12 Sep 2012, 2:04 am

I notice for me it's related to sleep. If I didn't sleep well the night before (get enough sleep or get good quality of sleep) my life is rife with sensory issues the following day. But other days where I sleep better, it tends to be better.