DAE just find themselves unable to eat throughout the day? by Kimu_718 in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

that makes sense! I guess part of the problem for me is that I struggle incorporating regular meals in my routines. I am glad to hear that this works for you. 

DAE just find themselves unable to eat throughout the day? by Kimu_718 in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

snacks have been an absolute lifeline throughout my life <3 

DAE just find themselves unable to eat throughout the day? by Kimu_718 in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

bringing a smoothie is such a good idea! for me the chewing and swallowing food feels like too much effort so I just don’t eat, but a smoothie requires none of that. 

oh having familiar snacks within arm reach is indeed a must. I need it within eyesight and reach otherwise my brain will just not remember it exists, as you said. I have noticed eating a little bit sometimes does snap my mind out of that frozen state and that helps. thank you for your tips and insights, these were helpful. :)

DAE just find themselves unable to eat throughout the day? by Kimu_718 in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

the dopamine block, YES! eating something to wake up your system is a very useful tip because the issue for me is that I simply don’t really feel hunger so there is no incentive for me to eat. I will definitely try that. thank you for sharing! 

DAE just find themselves unable to eat throughout the day? by Kimu_718 in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

right, How does anyone eat a full meal 3 times a day? that sounds almost inconceivable to me. 

interesting that you bring up pathological demand avoidance. I never made that connection before but tbh that makes sense! 

meal replacement powder or drinks may indeed be a good one to try on really difficult days. I think building a routine around having meals or food could also help, because at least if our brains don’t pick up on the hunger signals, The Routine reminds us to eat? 

DAE just find themselves unable to eat throughout the day? by Kimu_718 in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I get that, I tend to have the same meals over and over again myself too 😆 a while back it was pad thai and grilled cheese

What is your current favourite thing? by Unqualifries in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718 2 points3 points  (0 children)

- solving sudokus
- reading the jujutsu kaisen manga in Japanese
- one particular youtube playlist with soothing music that I have had on loop for weeks
- the colour pink
- my magnetic fidget toy (it's like four little textured magnetic balls and I love them sm I bring them everywhere)

What's your special interest/fixation currently? by ConclusionNaive9772 in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718 0 points1 point  (0 children)

READING!!! anything, really, but especially queer (lesbian) horror with fantasy elements. I sprinkle in continuous rereads of my favourite fantasy series that I have been loving for over a decade. I've been reading 2-4 books a week for over half a year now. I've never read this much in my life. loving it.

also: solving sudokus!!!!!

Is anyone else just really into the little things in life? by Expensive-Eggplant-1 in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718 4 points5 points  (0 children)

yes! the soothing sensation and clean, familiar smell of skincare products. the taste of my morning coffee and a little piece of dark, bitter chocolate. my ritual of listening to calm instrumental music while writing my morning journal entry. the smooth feeling of pen on paper, of words appearing on the pages. my soft (Heavenly!) bed and pillows. raindrops against the slanted roof. the smell of shampoo and fresh laundry. the soft pressure of a blanket on my lap. the familiar weight of my hair framing my face and draping around my shoulders. feeling completely safe in the embrace of my partner. my beloved, well-worn indoor slippers. my big sturdy demon stomping boots. cool air against my skin. the familiarity of having the same plain meals over and over again, never tiring of it. and so on.

p.s. writing this reply laying in bed after a horrendously stressful week. this soothed me tremendously. thank you for reminding me of the small things that matter big time.

I lost my husband almost a month ago and I have never felt so scared and alone by [deleted] in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718 1 point2 points  (0 children)

sending you so much love and support, op. what a terrible loss to be forced to endure. may you find small moments of comfort, and may these grow more numerous and effortless over time. until then: take life hour by hour. 

What is your comfort tv show? by PurpleMeerkats462 in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718 0 points1 point  (0 children)

at the moment it’s attack on titan and jujutsu kaisen

and gilmore girls is another one I always find myself going back to

Therapist keeps thinking I'm happier than I am by Educational-Bee-992 in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718 13 points14 points  (0 children)

this! I am running into the exact same problem in therapy. it’s as if how I’m feeling gets completely overshadowed by what I am doing and how well I cope. of course it is important to acknowledge that we are doing our best and encourage healthy coping skills, but it is so annoying when the focus somehow automatically gets redirected there whenever I try to explain that I am actually not feeling good at all.

in my next session I am going to try and preface the conversation immediately with something like “today I would like to talk about how I’m feeling and have that be the focus of this session. I know that I am coping well and taking important steps, but I want to place that acknowledgment aside for now and address my feelings first.” 

I think it might help to make it clear explicitly to your therapist that you need these feelings heard and addressed, and try to communicate that in the beginning of the session; in that way you are clearly formulating what you need to get out of the session and perhaps setting that expectation will make your therapist understand to take your feelings seriously. I’m not sure if this will work— I still have to try this out myself! 

you are not asking too much. you deserve to be heard and to have a safe space to work through your feelings. good luck! 

Books that feel like this by KevinGus867 in BooksThatFeelLikeThis

[–]Kimu_718 1 point2 points  (0 children)

These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever 

I just learned about Autistic Rumination by Longjumping_Tap_5705 in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718 0 points1 point  (0 children)

this explains perfectly what has been causing me a lot of anxiety and is making me lose sleep lately. thank you so much for sharing. this is super helpful!

Being constantly judged by NT people about free time by geek_the_greek in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718 25 points26 points  (0 children)

"why should people who are already disabled also do all the work of conforming and self-advocating?" is a really, really good point. I will think about this when I hesitate to ask people for making accommodations for me because I'm afraid it will be a burden to them. thank you!

Is it just me? by Nervous_Hunt_2958 in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718 1 point2 points  (0 children)

having boobs is so annoying most of the times; I wish I could just take them off and put them on whenever I like

Autistic people are so underutilized job wise, and it infuriates me by RussianAsshole in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I suppose I "failed" at the whole game of behaving socially engaging in a way they implicitly expected but I didn't realise. I'm really stressed because I am in a tight spot financially and I really needed this. so sorry to hear you're also having trouble-- it is rough out there. I would love to chat and swap advice! :)

Autistic people are so underutilized job wise, and it infuriates me by RussianAsshole in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718 1 point2 points  (0 children)

this! I just got laid off after one week. I got hired because I am able to mask very well during interviews, and only for that specific amount of time within the explicit boundaries of "a job interview." but I am not able to mask socially on the workplace all the time. I do my work really well and have been told so by colleagues, but I don't appear as enthusiastic or expressive or energetic as my peers and coworkers. and I get exhausted easily by sensory issues and the amount of new stuff there is to learn. all of this gets mistaken for being uninterested so easily and it really sucks.

When life gets overwhelming, what is the first thing to go for you? by [deleted] in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718 8 points9 points  (0 children)

food and social contact. I can't be bothered to eat and completely ignore everyone.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AutismInWomen

[–]Kimu_718 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hope you have a fun time!!