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Neurodiverse Mumsnetters

Use this forum to discuss neurodiverse parenting.

Do you feel like there's something fundamentally unlikeable about you?

154 replies

Astralis · 22/05/2022 17:14

I don't really know why I'm posting. I've just spent the afternoon at a school fundraising fun day and I feel like shit. If you ever go to these things do you find that while nobody is actively unpleasant, you feel like you're just not welcome?

OP posts:
ofwarren · 22/06/2022 16:41

littlepeas · 22/06/2022 11:58

Bumping this, as just found this board and am reading and nodding along to so much. I almost certainly have ADHD (probably should get diagnosed, but keep procrastinating...) and have had these sorts of experiences all my life.

Like other ADHDers seem to report, people often like me to start with as I can turn on the charm for short periods of time and am warm, funny, a good laugh, etc.

But the 'weirdness' starts to creep in pretty quickly - very loud, dramatic, prone to flying off the handle, (at times) dangerously impulsive, struggle to listen to people when they are talking about something I am not interested in, zoning out, etc, finishing people's sentences off for them - impatience, can't do things like walk slowly or wait for trains/buses (dragging people on 5+ mile walks because I refused to wait 5 mins for a bus), struggled to channel hyperactivity into anything useful and would often do incredibly stupid, impulsive things like randomly chuck a ball into someone's face/throw things over fences/whack balls out of play/run off/etc in sport - generally on edge a lot. Also suddenly becoming overstimulated/overwhelmed and needing to leave places or going very quiet (often after being really hyper).

I was tolerated by some people at school, but always on the edges, and some people just outright disliked me (to the point I was physically attacked on a couple of occasions, like a pp). Have only a couple of proper friends as an adult - no one from school/uni. I have lots of acquaintances - people I will chat to, but barely any deeper friendships. I have been called the 'drinking friend', for example - and now I don't really drink, those sorts of friendships have dried up.

I can mask, but have to think about what I am doing constantly and coach myself through it (eye contact - not enough, or too much - am I talking too much - ask them a question - etc). I guess NT people don't need to do this!

I find NT friendships strange when I observe them. Often I find I don't like the people who seem to be the most popular - I have no idea what draws people to them. I find many people NT dull and/or irritating. I have some autistic traits too, but don't think I would meet criteria for diagnosis.

I used to care deeply, but it bothers me far less now. Luckily I am pretty introverted and happy by myself. My dh and dc like me!

@littlepeas
You should definitely arrange an GP appointment to get on the waiting list. The waiting list is quicker for ADHD rather than autism. It's around a year where I live. Autism, around 2.

Would you consider medication? I'm autistic but I've seen people on this board say that it's changed their lives.

littlepeas · 22/06/2022 18:46

Thank you @ofwarren I have kind of started the process but the childhood evidence they want is patchy as I was a very hyperactive and difficult toddler/very young child, but had a period in late primary where on the surface I was quite ‘stable’. Probably was down to masking but I don’t really remember properly how I felt and my mum (only relative who can provide this info) isn’t supportive/cooperative. All went to shit when I hit 12/13, but they don’t ask about that time. So feel like the process has stalled.

Hate the worry that they’ll tell me I don’t meet criteria for diagnosis because of this. It’s made me question it too and wonder whether it’s actually bipolar.

I think I would probably benefit from meds, but who knows! I am comfortable enough with who I am, but I would like to stop wasting so much time!

jennyyellowhat · 23/06/2022 13:14

Hey @littlepeas (great name!). I didn't get questioned too much on my childhood, they knew there wasn't anyone to provide that info for me and accepted what I could remember myself. Might be worth a try telling them what you've said here (unless you have already in which case ignore me).

TheRussianDoll · 24/06/2022 22:23

So glad I discovered this thread/this ND mumsnetters topic on the site. I’m feeling better now.

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