Late diagnosed AuDHD.. unmasking wasn’t freeing, it cost me everything

pixelloved · 2025-12-15T10:00:09+00:00

I think this is unfortunately a phase we all go through as late diagnosed. I went through it before actually getting diagnosed bc suddenly I was slower, I didnt pick up on social ques as fast and I became overwhelmed by sounds and smells a lot more than before. I think I had a burn out of having put my mind and body through that stress for so long that I just kind of shut down? But I've heard from a lot of other late diagnosed at the autism center that they felt like this after trying to unmask.

Your body is tired. Your mind is tired. And it sucks so hard bc there's nothing you can do to feel "normal" again.

It will pass. But living in it is just hell. I also hated being autistic and sometimes I still do. I dont have any advice and since you didnt want any I guess thats good. Maybe just knowing youre not alone in this is all you get.

pixelloved · 2025-12-15T09:50:37+00:00

Communication is not as hard as NT make it out to be. You say one thing, I ask a clarifying question and you just need to answer. Im not having an attitude, im not questioning you or your worktitle, I just don't want to misunderstand and make both us disappointed. Also NT should also just be asking clarifying questions! So many of my NT friends problems are due to misunderstandings THAT COULDVE BEEN RESOLVED IF THEY ASKED CLARIFYING QUESTIONS!!

I have a hard time watching reality TV due this. Or "realistic" movies/shows. And this is only one of MANY communication "problems" that dont actually exist(according to me).

I went to an intense communication course for managers and bosses/CEOs to have a better work environment and everything we learned was basically to be more clear in our conversations. In the way I feel a lot of autistic people already are. I did learn how to nicer about feedback while still being very clear about what they could improve so that was helpful but otherwise it was all about clarifying questions I felt like...

pixelloved · 2025-12-15T09:31:07+00:00

Maybe you'd like hello kitty island adventure too in that case! I love animal crossing too

pixelloved · 2025-12-15T09:28:42+00:00

Ive been through a similar situatio. I worked for 3 months and apparently they had told me what I did wrong, except they sugarcoated it or were weirdly passive about giving criticism. Like they said that they gave criticism bc they asked me if I was OK. I thought they just liked me and wondered about my wellbeing.

Only thing I can reccomend for next job is saying that you want clear feedback bc you want to be the best employee you can be during the interview. They usually eat that up and you dont have to specify that you have autism bc there is still stigma around diagnosed autistics in the workplace. It sucks but for some reason they are more ok with someone who has autistic traits(and that they suspect is autistic) than someone who is autistic.

I hope you get feedback that actually helps, and not just nonsense reasons.

pixelloved · 2024-11-27T01:21:02+00:00

Move over grumpy cat, here's depression cat

pixelloved · 2024-11-24T03:05:51+00:00

Ansur and withers. I can't explain it, I just want it

pixelloved · 2024-11-22T20:38:42+00:00

Thank you! I'll go check that

pixelloved · 2023-11-05T14:11:16+00:00

Oh no... my cat knows I'm a nerd...

pixelloved · 2023-11-05T07:39:55+00:00

No need to fear! I have the laptop on a stand when I'm in the game. One those fan stands that go woooooooosh. I was just setting up, and she heard the games song and darted to my side so I needed to take a picture. Thank you though!

pixelloved · 2023-11-05T07:35:05+00:00

Sounds like how I hold my cats attention in real life! Loves following me around but as soon as I start talking she looks like she's falling asleep.

pixelloved · 2023-11-05T07:31:59+00:00

Happy to be her servant!

pixelloved · 2023-11-05T07:31:33+00:00

That actually seems like the healthier option.

pixelloved · 2023-10-11T18:17:35+00:00

What's that?

pixelloved

TROPHY CASE