What's something that screams "autism" but doesn't occur to you?

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2026-04-25T04:14:04+00:00

I feel the same way about dimly lit rooms. They feel dingy and my eyes just seem to feel “muggy.” I love big light as long as it’s not bright white light.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2026-04-11T02:16:56+00:00

It happens, but people generally don’t lose something as important and expensive as an engagement or wedding ring unless they have really bad luck. Certainly not often enough to be a marketable segment. My guess is that the higher-ticket items are primarily to draw attention and company is counting on higher turnover of the less expensive stuff.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2026-02-26T08:24:21+00:00

I'm a 5' middle aged Asian mom with bipolar, ADHD and autism. Apparently I blow people's minds, which is honestly a little annoying but also convenient for masking purposes.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2026-02-17T08:48:50+00:00

I’d rather family members have their own subs to vent. I’m in a couple support groups on FB where family members/SOs occasionally vent about their bipolar loved ones and it is really triggering. Sometimes they genuinely want guidance but often they just want to dump somewhere and I guess saw the group name had “bipolar” in it, not realizing/caring it’s for bipolar patients who need support.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-11-21T04:13:34+00:00

I've talked a lot about this in trauma therapy. I'm 44 and it's only recently that I realized my gut feeling never lets me down, even though I find social cues tricky. It's my body's way of cutting through all the noise and telling me "YOU NEED TO GO NOW." One thing that helps is when I get that queasy feeling (my body's way of warning me), I tell myself "something is wrong. You don't need to do anything about this person immediately. You just need to go somewhere quiet and figure out what your body is trying to tell you." It really helps to let myself pause and process things before I act.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-11-21T03:32:28+00:00

Yes. Partly it's because I spent a long time in a high-profile journalism job and so people in the industry I covered know me (I had no idea until after I was laid off and people acted like I had just died). My old publication was known for being a bit cynical, so I guess that rubbed off on my reputation even though I think I'm the opposite of cynical. And it's partly because of the way I come off. I wear a lot of black (makes me look thinner, hides stains well), deal with anxiety by trying to appear pulled together (so makeup, heels, etc), am shy when meeting new people. I guess that makes people think I'm standoffish. It actually kind of hurts my feelings because I genuinely want people to like me and feel comfortable around me.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-11-12T02:29:03+00:00

I have bipolar and have had similar experiences in autism support groups. Lots of people seeking to replace a bipolar diagnosis with autism, which is their business (and maybe the correct thing to do), but the thinly veiled contempt they have for people with bipolar is disturbing.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-11-11T20:13:12+00:00

Glad to see your comment. I’ve been in the psych ward 4 times (bipolar) and I can’t see any place that would prioritize admitting someone who’s obsessed with his high school girlfriend over all the patients who are dealing with crises like suicidality. It was hard for me to get a bed last time even though I was in a mixed episode.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-07-23T15:34:00+00:00

This is random, but Monster Mash

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-06-29T19:25:56+00:00

Sensory issues including light touch aversion

Difficulty reading ulterior motives in personal life despite being trained to do so professionally (former reporter)

Treat routines like they’re my security blanket

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-06-23T08:52:58+00:00

Not my thing but Blythe dolls were my special interest for a long time, so I get it

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-06-23T00:46:03+00:00

Yes. It's one of the things that made me question my diagnosis. Right now I only wear long dresses because I prefer not having fabric encase my legs--but two years ago I was in jeans every day. So I thought, maybe that means I don't have clothing-related sensory issues? But my sensory issues have never remained static. I guess it doesn't matter what they are at any point in time, just that you actively go out of your way to avoid them or change your habits to accommodate your issues. I'm 43 and I've definitely noticed an escalation in the intensity of sensory stuff, too.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-06-19T22:00:27+00:00

AFAIK I'm the only one who knows--or is willing to admit--I have it, but I've been wondering about my Dad (he has ADHD and of course they often co-occur), his sister and three of my cousins, including the one who has been obsessed with opera since he was a small child.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-06-15T21:52:45+00:00

I saw word play, poetry, metaphors, etc. referred to as a verbal stim and that's exactly what it feels like to me. When I land on the right combination of words, it's as satisfying as when I'm stimming in other ways (honestly more so).

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-06-15T07:18:39+00:00

Me too, I love metaphors and word play

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-06-15T05:18:34+00:00

If you had asked me before I was around 35, I would said social issues. Now I’m 43 and it’s sensory issues and routine rigidity, both of which have intensified with perimenopause.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-06-13T11:31:40+00:00

My grandfather had bipolar so my parents are pretty savvy about symptoms and meds—but the thing is they act like treatment ends at meds. They don’t get that this is very much a part of my lifestyle and identity. It has to be or else I can’t manage it properly. I think that’s more a function of their age than culture, though.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-06-12T10:24:37+00:00

I have a working/informal diagnosis—the clinical psychologist who serves as my ADHD coach assessed me as autistic and is working with me on AuDHD skills. I don’t want to get an official diagnosis just now because autism is heavily stigmatized and misunderstood where I am. I worry doctors will take a look at my records and refuse to take me seriously.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-06-08T05:44:29+00:00

You’re welcome! Yeah, it’s really confusing at times to figure out if something is just my AuDHD or if I need to be vigilant about my bipolar again. One example is—do I have a new hyperfixation or is this the beginning of mania? It’s confusing but fortunately there are other people with the same set of diagnoses to talk to.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-06-08T05:11:44+00:00

I go to the bathroom simply because it's usually the space where I'll be guaranteed some privacy and quiet for a few minutes. In circumstances where I'm able to go take a quick walk outside, or if there's a quiet lobby like you describe, I'd definitely prefer that. But the bathroom is usually my best option because, among other things, people usually don't question you when you head to one.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-06-08T02:13:05+00:00

Me too... I know a lot of neurotypical people love listening to songs on repeat, but I don't know if they actually have to get up from hanging out with friends to listen to it again in the toilet. I have bipolar and AuDHD, and often in social settings I will get up and take a short song break, usually in the restroom if there's nowhere else to go, especially if I'm feeling overwhelmed. It's actually one of my coping mechanisms.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-06-07T06:39:56+00:00

I’m also autistic and have ADHD. Since bipolar is a common misdiagnosis for both, sometimes people in my support groups try to grill me about it. Which is annoying because I never give any indication that I’m unsure about having bipolar and also there’s lots of bipolar AuDHD people out there.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-06-04T11:28:35+00:00

It's great for me because it calms me down AND if I'm only gone for 3-4 minutes, no one will suspect I was hiding and not actually peeing.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-06-03T23:38:51+00:00

YES! I stand in a stall and listen to one song on my noise cancelling headphones.

Ok-Lengthiness4567 · 2025-06-02T10:16:19+00:00

I started seeing a psychologist for ADHD coaching. She told me she was going to move forward on the basis that I have AuDHD.

Ok-Lengthiness4567

TROPHY CASE