AlbertoNov 28, 2022
Dome_Woo
Still something I'm coming to terms with. It's definitely a journey. The frustrating part is that I keep asking why no one told me sooner. Feels a bit like having been gaslit for the most part of my life.
Makes things a bit easier, & also explains a lot about past interactions. #neurodivergent
Nov 27, 2022 at 11:13pmWeb
Show threadAntGuyOnMaui 🏳️‍🌈🐜🐜♾Nov 27, 2022
@Dome_Woo Wow! Did you write this? Or did you reach into my brain and pull it out on the fleshy stone tablet from which my very existence sprouts? Except I've actually always known I was different -- from an early age everyone went to great lengths to make sure I knew that I was not normal. But it was only just this year (age 53) that I learned that neurodivergence is a thing, that it is behind my difference, and that it's not any more a sign of being "broken" as would being left-handed.
Show threadDome_WooNov 28, 2022
@etnom Yeah, wrote this myself. I'm slowly grasping how many people live with this. And how many have been undiagnosed until later in life. I'm 41 now.
Show threadClare 🐻Nov 28, 2022

@Dome_Woo
Lovely writing

I can relate to so much of this and yes, the recurring question of 'doesn't everyone do this?'... well, apparently not

It would've made a world of difference to me if the words 'anxiety' or 'depression' were mentioned in my childhood

It's clear both my mum and dad struggled, but no one ever mentioned this, let alone 'neurodivergence'

Imho this is made worse by the fact my older brother was dx ADHD in primary school - it just was never discussed or related and I can't even begin to understand how/why not

Thanks for sharing your experience 💜

Show threadSeliah (Childe of Fyre) 🏳️‍🌈Nov 28, 2022

@Dome_Woo Most of this describes my brain. It's so frustrating & exhausting to be constantly trying to cope w/sensory overloads & having to mask! Large groups are the worst part for me.The more overwhelmed I get, the less I interact.

If I'm overloaded bad enough/stressed enough(even good/happy stressors), I end up non-verbal & unable to communicate in spoken words. That irritates people even more, so I often excuse myself & go outside or wherever I need to. Then they think I'm aloof. Can't win!

Show threadDome_WooNov 28, 2022

@ChildeOfFyre I can relate to that so much. Whenever I'm outside I'm wearing noise canceling headphones 🎧 - they work wonders & drown out unwanted stimuli.
When I'm with people I feel comfortable/safe with, I don't need the headphones.

Masking is what exhausts me in private (or even office) settings. However, I've also found a way to use masking to my advantage as a customer service rep. I only have to focus on one customer at a time & use my "mask" as their service rep.

Show threadSeliah (Childe of Fyre) 🏳️‍🌈Nov 28, 2022

@Dome_Woo Yep. I keep one Bluetooth earbud in my left ear at all times. I use a Bluetooth headset headband (it has earphones sewn into it) to sleep with. Hubby is autistic needs silence to sleep, I'm ADHD need instrumental music to keep my brain from revving up too much to sleep.

During the daytime I have music playing at all times in one ear. I can't cope with the world without something for my brain to focus on. It doesn't stop overloads, but it does help.

Show threadSeliah (Childe of Fyre) 🏳️‍🌈Nov 28, 2022

@Dome_Woo Oh. And I've begun to learn sign language, too, because when I can't talk, I REALLY can't talk! Either my voice won't spit out the words in my brain, or my voice just can't keep up with it. Or my voice freezes entirely for who knows what reason.

Which leaves me flailing my arms around like an idiot. 🤦🏾‍♀️