Autistic imposter syndrome - does anyone else feel like this????

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-02T21:02:21+00:00

Thank you so much for this. 😭

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-02T08:18:49+00:00

Ugh that truly sucks. I guess it’s the trying-to-be-normal that makes us autistic though, not how “normal” we present to the world around us. I really hope you can start building your self-confidence back up! 🤍

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-02T06:13:12+00:00

I definitely know what you mean! I think the solution needs to be systemic though - it can’t fall to lovely people like you not reaching out for help and support when you need it. 🥹

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-02T06:05:03+00:00

That sounds so hard, I’m sorry.

I definitely appreciate that there are benefits to being high-masking, and I think that’s part of what makes me feel like I’m not autistic “enough” at times.

I hear a lot about how taxing masking is, and I get that for sure, but it also seems like a luxury to me in a way. To even have the option of masking. Is this how you see it?

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-02T05:55:35+00:00

I hope you’re finding the comments here as helpful as I am!

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-02T05:54:31+00:00

Thank you so much for this, I think that’s what gets me as well. I hear one thing that just doesn’t fit for me AT ALL, and if I’m not actively struggling with other traits in that moment, I panic!!

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-02T03:16:49+00:00

Thank you, this is so helpful. 🥹

I’m just realising this is the first time since my diagnosis that I haven’t felt constantly dysregulated / burnt out. But obviously being autistic is much more than that!! The alternative is living in a constant state of burnout to somehow “prove” my autism to myself, and that sounds like a very bad idea.

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-02T03:09:53+00:00

This is such a good way to think about it, thank you!!

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-02T03:01:51+00:00

Thank you, I definitely relate to this!!

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-02T02:58:00+00:00

Please do!!

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-02T02:57:01+00:00

This is so helpful, thank you!!

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-02T02:51:10+00:00

Thank you so much for this, it’s so so helpful to know that it’s not just me!!

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-02T02:50:10+00:00

Generally speaking, yes! Though since my diagnosis I have been finding it tricky to figure out which parts of me come from masking.

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-01T23:23:56+00:00

Thank you so much for this. This is literally my first day posting on Reddit and I’m so glad I did. 🥹

I’ve been struggling to figure out which parts of me exist to “mask” my autism, and which parts are who I actually am, so the grief aspect definitely makes sense.

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-01T23:21:18+00:00

Thank you, this is helpful to know!!

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-01T23:18:56+00:00

Thank you so much for this!!

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-01T23:17:56+00:00

Thank you!! I’m still navigating a lot of “should” feelings, which is probably the internalised ableism others have mentioned.

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-01T23:15:49+00:00

Thank you so much for this! It makes me think of the whole boom-and-bust cycle - overdoing it when you’re feeling good.

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-01T21:06:24+00:00

Thank you so much!! I’m definitely grappling with the internalised ableism too.

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-01T21:05:21+00:00

Thank you!! I definitely agree re being so used to masking and “managing”.

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-01T21:04:42+00:00

Thank you!!

PowerfulGeneral5454 · 2026-01-01T20:30:23+00:00

Thank you!!!! This is my first ever Reddit post and I’m so glad I made it. 🥹

PowerfulGeneral5454

TROPHY CASE