Austism understanding please?

[aintnoregular]

Hi all,

My partner informed me tonight that she thinks I may be autistic. She said that while speaking with her colleague at work (a specialist in autism) she thought she was describing me and made her explore the possibility that I may be autistic myself.

I have always been horrendously sensitive to sound so much so I have I too escape when there is a sound I cannot manage. I cannot wear certain clothes as I feel they do not sit right on my body and I have to immediately get them off of me. i can't seem to manage my emotions, sometimes I feel really low and withdrawn like I'm in a bubble and I don't want anyone to enter. And sometimes I feel really excitable and overtly tactile but not in a positive way, I feel very distressed. I work a lot off of numbers such as the number 4 being my lucky number so I do things 4 times, or I will sit in the 4th seat. There are lots of other different quirks that I have but I'm just not sure what they mean.

For a while now I've been looking for an answer to why I am the way I am. The only reason I would be interested in a 'label' as such is in hope that I may have a better chance of receiving the right treatment for me. I have to be slightly careful with diagnosis also as I am trying to get in the police and mental health is a big grey area in the recruitment.

If someone could shed some light I would really appreciate that.

It certainly sounds as if you have sensory issues, and can be hypersensitive to sound and touch.
Sensory processing issues are very common amongst people with autism, but they can also exist without autism.
It does sound as if you would benefit from finding out a little more, yes.

I don't know how that would affect any application to the police force.

Do you mind me asking if you are a man or a woman? As autism does tend to present quite differently in males and females.

This thread might be interesting for you to read

Regardless of what you may ir may not be, there is value in the words of the ancient Oracle at Delphi..

Know thyself.

I have certainly learned a lot about myself after recognising I am a manic depressive. It doesn't stop me being what I am, but it helps me live my life easier.