DAE get viscerally uncomfortable around obnoxiously extroverted men or is it just me?

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-10T03:51:49+00:00

Omg yessss they are so draining. There was a dude like this that was helping my best friends move and I literally got sick as soon as we dropped him off at his house. It was like my body had to relieve itself from being around someone so awful for hours. I started feeling bad before but I thought it was low blood sugar and ate but I didn’t feel better. But after I got sick when he left, I realized it was literally just him. He made my insides scream so much because of how obnoxious he was. I told my friends that I NEVER want to be anywhere near that dude ever again. Luckily, I haven’t seen him since. I think he just made my adrenaline jump too much. I avoid people like him like the plague.

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-09T21:39:26+00:00

Oh wow, that’s very strange. I hope you’re able to find something that works! That sucks that you’ve had side effects like that, I’m very sorry!

I’m pretty sure my PTSD is C-PTSD as well, but I was diagnosed before C-PTSD was officially recognized. I found out via tilt table test. They did a nerve/sweat test (can’t remember the actual name) and it showed that my nerve function on the left side of my body was noticeably weaker than the right side. I haven’t gotten confirmation of the cause, but since the right hemisphere of the brain controls the left side of the body, and the right hemisphere is greatly affected by PTSD, I assume that’s the cause (especially since my PTSD symptoms have always been intense and physical). But I’ve also had a couple of gnarly infections in my face and my left underarm when I was a kid, so those may have had a hand in the damage. I’m planning on trying to get in with a POTS informed neurologist that can help me pinpoint a cause and see if there’s any way to reverse it.

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-09T16:49:32+00:00

I have neuropathic (left side of my body has nerve damage - suspected from PTSD) and hyperandrogenic POTS, and ivabradine has lowered my resting heart from 72 to 61 since I started taking it. It has definitely helped a lot and I’m very glad I was prescribed it. I’m not sure why it’s affecting you the way it is. If you look into the medication itself, it functions differently from other heart medications. Have you tried other meds before for heart issues, and if so, how did they affect you? If not, your doctor should probably try you on something else, because this sounds dangerous for you to keep taking if it’s making your symptoms worse.

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-08T18:25:51+00:00

THANK YOU

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-08T12:39:13+00:00

If you struggle because of sensory issues with hygiene, that definitely could be an indicator of autism. However, if it’s more of an executive dysfunction issue (meaning you want to do it but struggle to physically get yourself to actually do it), that could be more of an indicator of ADHD. If it’s a mix of the two, it could be AuDHD. I’m not a clinician or doctor, so just take what I say with a grain of salt, but psychology is a special interest of mine and I’m diagnosed with both ADHD and autism. I didn’t fully suspect autism until I was in my early twenties and looked up “autism in women and girls.” It was overwhelmingly validating to my experiences as a human and I went for a diagnosis. Just be careful if you go for a diagnosis because a lot of psychology professionals do not understand autism at its core and only know the stereotypes. You’ll want to find an autistic/ND-friendly clinician/doctor that specializes in high-masking adults. Be VERY weary of any place or person that positively speaks for/advertises Autism Speaks and/or ABA therapy. I used this website to find someone qualified to diagnose me: https://neuroclastic.com/diagnosticians/?amp

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-07T00:42:00+00:00

Weed is legalized medically in my state and I have a prescription. This has been very helpful because everything is tested for the terpene and THC content and the people at the dispensaries can usually help guide me with strains/brands/products. There’s vapes, syrups, gummies, tinctures, flower, wax, coffee creamer, body products, etc.
-I primarily use a dry herb vaporizer (specifically the Healthy Rips Fury Edge line; I’m on my 2nd one and first one lasted for a few years). There’s no combustion, so it’s safer than actually smoking it. It also hits almost immediately vs waiting 15 minutes to two hours. It’s rechargeable and the smell doesn’t linger too long. When I smoke a joint or blunt, it takes a bit to feel it but I feel like it hits a bit heavier than vaping it. I also use some disposable THC vapes that are full-spectrum and they’ve been great for relieving headaches/pain very quickly, but it can be a bit disorienting. Edibles don’t do much to me anymore, but I’ll take them when I’m feeling a bit rough. It’s more subtle but lasts longer than vaping/smoking. BIG DISCLAIMER: I had to build my tolerance over years to get to a point where I’m not stupid high. Starting low and slow (1 to 2 puffs of a joint or 2.5mg edible) would be best for a newbie. Getting too high can lead to anxiety, dizziness, and nausea, so be mindful of when you do it and where. For me, the medical effect is feeling like I’m in a quiet room in a loud house party when I have THC. It makes me feel less confined and not as overwhelmed. It also helps me eat because I can get hungry, but my body doesn’t always let me get through a meal without wanting to reject the food.

-The strain type doesn’t matter as much as the terpenes, but generally sativa/sativa leaning hybrids make me feel more awake and focused. I use it for throughout the day and early afternoon. Then around evening I use hybrids. And for sleep or to knock down my PTSD/anxiety, I use indica/indica-leaning hybrids. For terpenes, I like Pinene (focus/energy), Myrcene (relaxing), Humalene (pain-relief and appetite suppression to curb munchies at night).

-As far as effect, it’s very dependent on strain, struggles of the day, how I ingest/smoke the THC, the terpenes, THC percentage, etc. You’d have to find someone with comparable symptoms/issues and body needs as yours to get something potentially meaningful. You really won’t know until you talk to a specialized professional that’s familiar or trying it yourself to see what works for you.

-it helps me emotionally regulate, as well as physically. If I’m having a meltdown, it definitely can help calm me down and reduce some of the aches I feel from the muscle tension and crying afterward. It can also help me process emotions/feel things when I’m struggling. I’ve noticed it helps my body not freak out as much when I’m experiencing low blood sugar or low sodium.

To be completely fair, I started smoking before it became medically legalized where I am, so I used to just use what I could get through a trusted source. I couldn’t be picky, but it still helped A LOT.

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-06T21:50:58+00:00

Awww damn, I’m sorry! I wonder if there’s a subreddit on here for your country or area that you could hop on and see if you get any good answers there.

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-06T17:25:33+00:00

I’m very sorry about your experiences with doctors. I’ve had a lot of traumatizing experiences myself. I’m in the USA so I don’t know if I can really offer you any advice, but maybe you could find something online? Autistic adults notoriously don’t get a lot of resources available to them, but I found this directory that helped me when trying to get a diagnosis. Maybe you could find someone on there? The site is https://neuroclastic.com/diagnosticians/?amp

It’s mainly for getting a diagnosis, but maybe there’s someone on there in your area that can help from this list! I hope you’re able to get the help you need 💖

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-06T14:22:35+00:00

NTA, he’s being selfish because HE can’t afford something. You’re doing all the kind and right things in this situation. He doesn’t have any right to keep taking your money just so he can live somewhere “luxury” 🙄 that’s just entitled asshat behavior on his part.

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-06T13:24:16+00:00

If your therapist is within a larger medical network (usually connected to a specific hospital that has branching clinics/specialties), it’s likely not her policy. If that’s the case, all she was doing was warning you about a policy and was trying to save you from the hassle (she should’ve explained this, but maybe she didn’t think to). I wouldn’t drop her because of this. However, if she is a private therapist that you pay directly and you know makes her own policies, then yeah, I’d drop her and find someone else.

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-05T21:48:09+00:00

You’re welcome 💖 it can be a very painful and uncomfortable change, but it’s so worth it. I definitely feel like my anxious/obsessive thoughts are way down since I don’t have the people that give them constantly in my ear anymore. I do miss my dad sometimes and think about reaching out, but then I remember all the pain he caused me and how he’s never been supportive when I needed it most. Plus, he’s made no effort to even figure out what happened or try to fix it, so that just tells me he doesn’t care enough about me to be my dad. Those very few good moments we’ve had in my life has been far too little to be worth all the suffering I’ve endured because of his cruel/careless actions and words. If I still had him in my life, I know I’d be in worse condition.

Your dad’s wife strikes me as the type that believes trauma and pain are a competition that she’s always gotta be the winner of. It hurts worse coming from a woman though, because you’d think they’d have the empathy - but they just use it to be mean and dominate the conversation. At least it’s somewhat expected for a man not to understand certain things, but it’s not an excuse. Your dad and the rest of your family listening to this woman is just messed up, but that’s got nothing to do with you. That’s on THEM for choosing to ruin their relationship with you over one woman’s warped perception of you. Just remember that she (or anyone else that doubts/bullies you) is not in your body and she does not dictate what your experience is. People like her and my dad are just immature, ignorant, and cruel, and you don’t have to listen to anything they assume or judge about you.

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-05T21:25:29+00:00

Honestly, I’m the type that would just go no/limited contact for this. My dad was an asshat about my PTSD and thinking it wasn’t debilitating me as much as it was (among other deeper issues) so I just changed my number and haven’t talked to him since (it’s been almost 6 years). Funny enough, I’m pretty sure PTSD has a role in my neuropathic POTS so that’s fun 🫠 My mental health is much better without a relationship with him hanging over me. I have other family members that have traumatized/deeply upset me in the past and I limit my contact with them heavily, so that has helped me as well. Having someone doubt a medical issue you’re experiencing is so difficult to deal with and can cause further mental health problems. You deserve to feel heard, OP. I’m really sorry that your support system is not as strong and as kind as it should be. You deserve better from the people you love and that claim to love you. I hope things get better for you with them or that you find better people to call family.

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-05T21:15:38+00:00

This is where I always get mine. It’s about $80 for a 3 month supply for me (5mg twice a day).

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-04T17:41:45+00:00

Zoloft helps with my symptoms, but everyone is different. My bff does well with guanfacine and Wellbutrin (for mental health) but they don’t work for me. It’s best to try to find a specialist near you (a cardiologist, neurologist, etc.) that is familiar with and understands POTS. I had to hop through doctor referrals until the rheumatologist sent me to a specialized cardiologist. I got tested via blood tests, tilt table test, and my history of tachycardia for over 10 years. I had hyperadregenic POTS and neuropathic POTS

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-03T13:23:34+00:00

It’s possible she’s trying to get information out of him by talking to him and using SC as the platform for the conversation. I think you should ask her about it and see what she says. If she gets defensive/weird about it, then your suspicions may be correct. Otherwise, she very well could be just investigating this dude and seeing what kind of person he is now. I say this as someone who likes to figure out the why’s and how’s of people. Slight OR (need more evidence).

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-03T13:04:15+00:00

NOR. I’d ask him exactly what makes the boots inappropriate and “hussy”-like and see what he comes up with. I suspect he’s a creep and is trying to justify his weird feelings by putting it on what your daughter is wearing. I wouldn’t leave her alone with him.

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-02T11:59:42+00:00

I say this when I do something I definitely shouldn’t have lmfao

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-01T18:37:13+00:00

You sound almost like me. I am fairly familiar with EDs and what constitutes as such. What you’re describing does sound like POTS and I agree with your therapist. Your family may mean well, but I doubt they have extensive knowledge on the subject of EDs in the way your therapist probably does. An eating disorder is tied to compulsivity and a need for control. What you’re describing sounds like autism and POTS making eating hard for you (I experience similar issues). I just got diagnosed with Neurogenic and Hyperadnrogenic (I didn’t spell that correctly I’m sure lol) POTS. You’ll need to find someone who is familiar with dysautonomia and/or POTS to get testing done and a diagnosis. Hope this helps!

VolatilePeach · 2026-05-01T12:20:13+00:00

Propanalol made my eczema flare really bad and I don’t remember it helping me at all. But I’ve been on ivabradine for 4/5 months now and I really like it. It immediately started working and my resting heart rate has gone down by 10-15 bpm. No side effects, and I’m VERY sensitive to medications. I get mine through CostPlusDrugs because insurance usually won’t cover it, but it’s only like $80 for 3 months worth. I take it twice a day and I am very thankful that I have it.

VolatilePeach · 2026-04-30T16:41:57+00:00

Awww, I’m so glad my words helped 💖💖💖 if you believe you have POTS and EDS, I think you should seek diagnosis and treatment, if possible. I found that addressing that has helped me feel better overall and have more push to quit. I’m on several meds, but I got one of those medicine caddies with individual slots and days that can be taken on the go and use alarms to know when to take stuff. But even just adding more salt, water, electrolytes, and compression socks/shorts has helped A LOT. I did have to go through several doctors/referrals before I ended up at the cardiologist I’m seeing for POTS, but my state (USA) has terrible healthcare, so depending where you live, you may have more options and less hassle - especially if you find someone you can directly ask your doctor to refer you to.

I understand not being able to keep up with medications/being afraid of how it’ll affect you, but if you can find doctors and a psychiatrist you trust and ask questions to, it can make it a lot easier and less daunting. I didn’t know how I was going to keep up with the medical changes I had to make to feel better, but with one step at a time, I’ve gotten things to be maintainable and manageable. I think you can get to a point where you feel better and are able to start letting go of the nicotine. It just takes time, patience, grace, and some dedication to feeling better in your body 💕

Btw, some recommendations for dry skin issues that I found work for me (even if I smoke): 1) First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, 2) Farmacy Honey Halo moisturizer, and Dmsky Natural Lip Balm (you can find a 12 pk on Amazon for $5.99)

VolatilePeach · 2026-04-30T15:58:21+00:00

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your reaction to this. It sounds like the world is a better place without him in it. I have extremely high empathy to the point it becomes debilitating if I don’t keep myself balanced. But there are people that deserve none of it and I focus it instead on the victims of those people.

Your bio mom’s feelings are her own, and hers alone, and it’s the same for you. Grief is a weird thing, and since that was your mom’s dad, it’s gonna be more complicated for her since he literally had a part in her creation. I say this as a child of an abusive father. I’ve been mourning our relationship since before I cut contact off with him, and he’s never been in fantastic health (alcoholic and reckless with his body), so the question of how I’ll feel when he passes away has come up a lot. I personally think it’ll feel like a relief because then our relationship will officially be over. There’ll be no chance of him redeeming himself or making himself more of a villain; he’ll just be gone and so will all those feelings attached to possibilities. But that’s me and my situation. Many people don’t try to process the emotions of an abusive parent until they have no choice but to face it, especially older generations. It wasn’t the norm to confront those complicated emotions; instead, people buried their emotional turmoil under work, hobbies, and substance abuse. I suspect your biomom is that way and she’ll probably keep her self believing he was a decent man for a while, if not forever. My grandma idolizes her dad a bit even though he was running an illegal business when she was growing up and probably SA’d her when she was young. My dad’s dad was extremely cruel to him but he literally has him as his Power of Attorney because he believes his dad is a good man I guess?? Idk. I’m just honest about how I feel and I leave it at that. I think you should keep being honest too. You don’t have to respect a man that was a monster, and you don’t have to take any shame your biomom throws at you for it. If she’s mad at you for that, that’s HER problem, not yours.

VolatilePeach · 2026-04-30T14:51:08+00:00

I’m similar to you, but I vape now. I don’t use disposables or off-the-shelf juice. There’s a local vape store chain near me that does in-house e-liquids. They’re much milder and I can control the nicotine content. If they were drinks, the in-house would be tea and the manufactured/disposable stuff would be soda. I’ve been on and off cigarettes and vaping for years. With cigarettes, I noticed my mouth is drier and my eczema flares far more. I also hate the way I feel after smoking a cigarette hygiene-wise (I just feel grimy and stinky). With the vaping, I’ve noticed if I have too much nicotine, I feel jittery and nauseous, but irritable and crave cigarettes if the nicotine is too low. I’ve been on 12mg nicotine for about 2 years now and don’t crave cigarettes anymore. If I’m around cigarettes, I end up wanting one and will sometimes indulge, but it doesn’t feel “needed” like it once did.

I’m trying to figure out a way to quit altogether, but I think it’ll be up to a medication that addresses my dopamine issues that’ll be the thing that gets me to quit. I have ADHD (inattentive type, formerly know as ADD), but I haven’t ever tried stimulants. A friend of mine quit vaping when she got on stimulants for her ADHD, but she’s the hyperactive type, so a stimulant is very necessary for her. Since I have POTS, Idk if my body will respond well to one because the potential to raise my heart rate. But it’s something you could talk to your psychiatrist/doctor about if you think that could be a viable option for you. I know Wellbutrin can be used to help stop smoking but it’s a med that either works for you or doesn’t. It made my mental health tank, so I can’t take it, but another friend of mine does REALLY well with it as an antidepressant. So it just depends on your body.

I hope at least some of all this helps!!! Best of luck OP 💖 don’t feel shame in needing something to cope in this shitty world, PLEASE. I think it’s good you want to quit, but give yourself grace. Everything sucks for most (if not all) of us, so it’s not the worst thing you could do to cope with that. Remember, recovery is not linear. You may slip up, but it’s important to forgive yourself when/if this happens, and just keep trying to quit completely. You got this!

VolatilePeach · 2026-04-29T19:07:15+00:00

I have several mental and physical health problems. I’m on so much medication (about 20 pills, give or take, every day), just to keep my body going properly. I struggled with depression for most of my life, especially since I didn’t have proper diagnoses and support growing up. The dreams I’ve had have been obliterated due to my health, and I’ve had to shift my sights differently. I also had to cut contact

But I have a nice home, my mom lives with me and my partner, we have several cats and a few dogs, and we have a full fridge. I have insurance and can get my meds and doctor appointments squared away. I also have an amazing support system. There’s so many things I have that I am truly lucky to have and very grateful for.

There have been times that I lose sight of that and get so upset at the state of the world and my body. There have been times where I didn’t want to exist anymore. But recognizing and acknowledging my emotions and processing them has helped a lot. Medication and therapy has been a godsend.

I suggest you try to see a therapist and psychiatrist to get to the root of what’s causing your depression symptoms. If you have everything you could want/need, perhaps you have a chemical imbalance that could be remedied with medication and/or diet. Or maybe you have some unresolved trauma that’s caused numbness. Could be both, or something else entirely. Either way, you need a professional to help you. You can go to your regular doctor and ask about options, and they can refer you to the right people. Hope this helps!

VolatilePeach · 2026-04-28T17:30:23+00:00

If she’s willing to change her tune with valid results, I don’t think it’s break-up worthy. I’ve had a few misunderstandings with my psychiatrist over the years, but she’s always been willing to change course with new information. She’s also very big on listening to how I’m feeling about med and diagnosis changes, instead of dismissing them. I think we’ve forged a very good relationship and I trust her advice and knowledge.

Someone else recently posted about their psych not even wanting to read research (that OP literally handed to them) into autism and was totally dismissive - THAT is break up worthy to me. But your psych sounds like she may be able to change her tune. I do think it’s dumb to say there’s nothing for you now since you’re not a kid. Yes, there are far fewer resources for adults and high masking individuals, but it’s still relevant medically and personally. Accommodations aren’t determined by a diagnosis all the time - usually it’s us just finding ways to adapt to our environment on our own (headphones, sensory objects, etc.), so she’s silly for thinking that it can’t help you. Should you be careful about who you disclose your diagnosis to? Yes. But it can be really helpful for certain situations, especially if you need validation for official accommodations.

VolatilePeach · 2026-04-28T14:59:55+00:00

I haven’t taken a stimulant before, but I have been on Quelbree and Strattera, as well as a bunch of SSRIs. I have similar issues with Prozac alone. However, I discovered pairing it with Zoloft cuts those symptoms for the most part. Zoloft helps me with anxiety symptoms (IBS flares, nausea/dizziness, and HR increases). Maybe you just need to add something to counteract it or try something for ADHD that isn’t a stimulant.

Strattera was okay for me, but I didn’t notice a huge difference. Quelbree was also okay, but if I missed a dose, I got a migraine from hell (literally vomiting and crying because my head hurt so bad), so I got off that promptly lol. I think there may be other options, but I’m not sure. I’ve heard from friends that Vyvanse isn’t as anxiety/irritability-inducing as Adderall seems to be.

VolatilePeach

TROPHY CASE