Things you are just unable to/just cant do and others think you’re being silly

[Cattery]

For example: I just can’t be a passenger in the back of a car. I wouldn’t even contemplate it if the car had no rear doors. The claustrophobia would send me into sheer panic.

Drive on the motorway. I just have a mental block that tells me I can't do it, yet, years ago I drove on it daily. I then had a few years of not doing any driving and I lost all my confidence. I manage quite well without ever driving on a motorway so it doesn't negatively impact my life, but other people (family/friends) look at me in shock when I tell them of my "phobia".

Can't go in enclosed water slides or in an MRI scanner. I dread to think what would happen if I was told I had to have an MRI. I had one on my knee a few years ago and even with a diazepam from my GP I had a massive panic attack and was sobbing. I have researched open MRI scanners and would be happy to pay anything to use one if necessary. The idea of going into that MRI tube head first brings me out in a cold sweat just thinking about it.

I can't read a clock immediately. (obviously not the digital kind!) Most of the time, I have to work it out. And even then sometimes I get it wrong. I've been told that 'most' people just look at a clock face and read the time but I'm not convinced that is so!

Same here. I think it’s because I have trouble thinking at the same time as I’m focused on listening. So if I phone to make an appointment for something I get nervous because I can’t make decisions. So I have no idea if any of the available appointment times work for me or not 🙄

Be a good passenger in the car. I used to be fine but it’s since I had children (they are all adults now). My husband is used to me and ignores me panicking but I won’t get in a car with someone else so tend to do the driving.

Keep my house tidy.

Funny enough I'm autistic too. I wonder if there's a link. I did have selective mutism as a teenager but overcame that but the phone problem persisted. I don't really know what the fear is- I think it's not knowing when to speak/ who I'm speaking to but it's definitely irrational as although I'm not the most confident person I speak virtually normally now everywhere else.

I've always struggled but had a horrid conversation with GP surgery where she was outright mocking me & laughing with another lady in the office & accused me of 'pretending to be deaf' she then put the phone down on me as I was 'taking too long' it left me so upset & humiliated I completely avoid speaking on the phone now.

Yes! I just stand there blankly, trying to work it out!

Christmas. Have to force myself to write cards, etc. Other people think it's just odd.

Ah me too. I can do rollercoasters as long as they're not in the dark, but can't get on the spinning teacups! 😂

Using the phone I absolutely hate it and when I realised I'd told a doctor anything just to get him off the phone. It's hard but the digital world is making easier.

Did you complain? That's shocking treatment.

I’ve been on the Grand National there! I can still do roller coasters, but nothing else.

Deal with spiders. I just can't, never could.

Not afraid of anything else, very practical and independent but spiders? No way....

@Devilsmommy @TheYearOfSmallThings

This is not uncommon. There are a few videos of this type of thing.
The ones I've seen are normally where there is an 'up and down' part and the rider for some reason doesn't have enough momentum to get over the 'hill' into the next down bit.
These slides have openable compartments so the staff can fish you out.

This type of thing - the compartment opening occurs at .26 seconds

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1148626859839562

Heres another one on a cruise ship but at least everyone can see you are stuck!

www.facebook.com/watch/?v=269383705372765

I can’t go into a supermarket for more than two minutes, the bright lights in them almost make me pass out 🤢 I have no idea how anyone can work in one, my heart goes out to them.

@TheYearOfSmallThings

nope. Imagine putting a tennis ball down a straight tube, fine, then imagine bending that tube in various places...

I was once at a soft play & a Dad got stuck, they had to call the fire brigade out to remove sections of the slide! He was a solid average height man, not obese or exceptionally tall. So embarrassing for him. The kids LOVED it.

Sing
Hit a ball with a bat or racquet
Deal with very steep slopes as I fear slipping - this was made worse when I did slip and then needed surgery.

I can’t stay in the house overnight alone, to the extent I’ll book a hotel if there’s no one who can stay with me!

Use Teams chat in meetings.

The words ´I will put the link in chat' fills me with dread.

How is it possibly more efficient to have to go searching through numerous ´ chat' threads to find the source, rather than having it sent on email which is immediately searchable ?

I did complain but they found no fault with the staffs behaviour.
They said I was taking too long & it was unfair on other patients waiting. They said it wasn't a disability as I can 'choose to speak normally ' when I want to.

That’s truly awful. I’d change surgeries. They need training on helping people who struggle with autism x

Drive to a place I'm unfamiliar with and park! I'm confident enough on roads I know but once nearly got stuck in a parking space and that has caused this. I'd rather walk a long distance than try to park in a tricky spot.

That’s shocking