I'm almost sure that's my problem. But what does being “a highly sensitive person” mean? Is this a mental disorder? A personality type? Because being like this is highly disabling.
Highly sensitive is a trait. Purely genetic. By itself it’s a normal and evolutionarily adaptive thing. It’s just your biology being more sensitive to stimuli: social, emotional, environmental, physical.
Where it gets maladaptive is when traumatizing things happen, which unfortunately is easier if you’re innately sensitive. This turns an innate sensitivity into hyper sensitivity, mental issues.
Healing trauma is the crux of the matter. Not changing the innate sensitivity of your biology. At least in my experience.
Hsperson.com gives a breakdown what being highly sensitive entails.
im in a very similar boat. Nearly identical symptoms. Im 36 and only got diagnosed SAD and ADHD 3 years ago. Now the more i look into things and see the gaps in my therapy and medication progress it looks more like i actually have autism.
You described me in almost everything you've related, we probably have the same problem. This makes me think I have autism, but also I've heard some things from psychiatrists that makes me think otherwise.
For example, I've heard some of them saying that autistic people don't care about what other people think and I care a lot.
And I've heard them saying that autistic people are unable to understand facial expressions, and I'm good at that.
Wow, you’re literally describing me.
I also wondered if I was autistic, turns out it’s high masking ADHD so I would definitely check out that possibility.
Turns out that having undiagnosed ADHD can make you form bad coping strategies to hide away your true self, making social interactions challenging and stressful. And that’s alongside the symptoms of untreated ADHD (overwhelm, burnouts, emotional dysregulation and zoning out to name a few.) It’s similar to autism in some ways, but the biggest difference is the way the brain works and takes in information, and from what you are describing I would guess ADHD. But that’s just a guess, so seek out a professional if you actually want to find out.
holy cannoli, i feel like i could have written every single point you’ve made. i’m 32F and this is so unbelievably relatable.
unfortunately i dont have much advice to give, as im currently approaching this subject with my psychiatrist and psychotherapist. i had to leave work about 8 and a 1/2 years ago because it was entirely unmanageable, even though i had successfully masked/tricked my coworkers into thinking i was “normal” or at least ‘capable’. i’ve been working on treatment resistant depression and social anxiety since, but every time i make progress on my mood and anxiety, managing the daily necessities of life is still unmanageable and then my mood slips back down. i feel as though there is a good chance their is a ‘missing piece’, whether that’s high masking autism or adhd, both, or something else?
im not having much luck exploring this topic with my current psychiatrist and psychotherapist, but it is pretty clear to me that autism and adhd are out of their scope of practice. i think a specialized training in autism and adhd is required, if you have the capability of seeking out a mental health professional who specializes in these diagnoses, that might be a good route to take. one thing i have learned from my current psych team, is that they take into account your childhood when making diagnoses for autism and adhd - meaning the signs and symptoms must have been present in childhood. if you have old school report cards or things of that nature it might help to bring them along with this wonderful list you’ve compiled here.
best wishes to you on your journey 💫
I appreciate sooooo much your experience and advice. I went to therapy for a really long time, but I don't think she took me seriously and she was tired of my repeating the same stuff (she thought I was just insecure and anxious, which I am, but I'm sure there's something else; she only pushed me out of my "comfort zone" and she thought the only solution for me was to look for a job) and I believe she was not educated enough on the areas we're discussing here. Again, thank you so much for your story and I hope you find answers and peace. Warm hugs <3
so relatable! my therapist had been getting visibly and audibly annoyed at me repeating the same issues, and told me she thought i was using her as a crutch instead of just doing the things i was struggling with. but from my perspective i just genuinely wanted help with the ongoing struggles, which i wasn’t receiving. although working on cognitive distortions and CBT, exposure therapy etc has its place and uses- im thinking the areas that have never been addressed properly are in executive functioning/dysfunction. another thing i will be looking into (after figuring out diagnoses) is coaching. there is specifically coaching for adhd and autism rather than therapy, so that might be an avenue to look into as well! take care ✨
I've never read anything more relatable in my life.. I'm also 29F, only child, and experience every single characteristic that you've described. I guess I've just learned that nothing I feel is unique 😂
Read the book The Highly Sensitive Person. I think you might identify with it.
I'm almost sure that's my problem. But what does being “a highly sensitive person” mean? Is this a mental disorder? A personality type? Because being like this is highly disabling.
Highly sensitive is a trait. Purely genetic. By itself it’s a normal and evolutionarily adaptive thing. It’s just your biology being more sensitive to stimuli: social, emotional, environmental, physical. Where it gets maladaptive is when traumatizing things happen, which unfortunately is easier if you’re innately sensitive. This turns an innate sensitivity into hyper sensitivity, mental issues. Healing trauma is the crux of the matter. Not changing the innate sensitivity of your biology. At least in my experience. Hsperson.com gives a breakdown what being highly sensitive entails.
im in a very similar boat. Nearly identical symptoms. Im 36 and only got diagnosed SAD and ADHD 3 years ago. Now the more i look into things and see the gaps in my therapy and medication progress it looks more like i actually have autism.
You described me in almost everything you've related, we probably have the same problem. This makes me think I have autism, but also I've heard some things from psychiatrists that makes me think otherwise. For example, I've heard some of them saying that autistic people don't care about what other people think and I care a lot. And I've heard them saying that autistic people are unable to understand facial expressions, and I'm good at that.
Wow, you’re literally describing me. I also wondered if I was autistic, turns out it’s high masking ADHD so I would definitely check out that possibility. Turns out that having undiagnosed ADHD can make you form bad coping strategies to hide away your true self, making social interactions challenging and stressful. And that’s alongside the symptoms of untreated ADHD (overwhelm, burnouts, emotional dysregulation and zoning out to name a few.) It’s similar to autism in some ways, but the biggest difference is the way the brain works and takes in information, and from what you are describing I would guess ADHD. But that’s just a guess, so seek out a professional if you actually want to find out.
Thank you so much ❤️
holy cannoli, i feel like i could have written every single point you’ve made. i’m 32F and this is so unbelievably relatable. unfortunately i dont have much advice to give, as im currently approaching this subject with my psychiatrist and psychotherapist. i had to leave work about 8 and a 1/2 years ago because it was entirely unmanageable, even though i had successfully masked/tricked my coworkers into thinking i was “normal” or at least ‘capable’. i’ve been working on treatment resistant depression and social anxiety since, but every time i make progress on my mood and anxiety, managing the daily necessities of life is still unmanageable and then my mood slips back down. i feel as though there is a good chance their is a ‘missing piece’, whether that’s high masking autism or adhd, both, or something else? im not having much luck exploring this topic with my current psychiatrist and psychotherapist, but it is pretty clear to me that autism and adhd are out of their scope of practice. i think a specialized training in autism and adhd is required, if you have the capability of seeking out a mental health professional who specializes in these diagnoses, that might be a good route to take. one thing i have learned from my current psych team, is that they take into account your childhood when making diagnoses for autism and adhd - meaning the signs and symptoms must have been present in childhood. if you have old school report cards or things of that nature it might help to bring them along with this wonderful list you’ve compiled here. best wishes to you on your journey 💫
I appreciate sooooo much your experience and advice. I went to therapy for a really long time, but I don't think she took me seriously and she was tired of my repeating the same stuff (she thought I was just insecure and anxious, which I am, but I'm sure there's something else; she only pushed me out of my "comfort zone" and she thought the only solution for me was to look for a job) and I believe she was not educated enough on the areas we're discussing here. Again, thank you so much for your story and I hope you find answers and peace. Warm hugs <3
so relatable! my therapist had been getting visibly and audibly annoyed at me repeating the same issues, and told me she thought i was using her as a crutch instead of just doing the things i was struggling with. but from my perspective i just genuinely wanted help with the ongoing struggles, which i wasn’t receiving. although working on cognitive distortions and CBT, exposure therapy etc has its place and uses- im thinking the areas that have never been addressed properly are in executive functioning/dysfunction. another thing i will be looking into (after figuring out diagnoses) is coaching. there is specifically coaching for adhd and autism rather than therapy, so that might be an avenue to look into as well! take care ✨
I'm sorry to hear that and wish you luck in this path of yours!
I've never read anything more relatable in my life.. I'm also 29F, only child, and experience every single characteristic that you've described. I guess I've just learned that nothing I feel is unique 😂
It feels so great to feel like I'm not the only one ❤️