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Navigating Relationships with Autism: Seeking Advice

IceCup

492d

I think I might be autistic. Can anyone talk about their experience with apathy and navigating relationships (mainly romantic with partners) as someone with autism?

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Depression

Apathy

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

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Top reply
    • Ash.G

      491d

      Not all autistic people lack empathy. In fact half of them feel too much empathy to the point where they don't know how to verbally express it.

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    • NonbinarySlytherin

      490d

      It is weird. I am married and we both have autism as well as many other fun health stuff. We found that over communicating is essential. Sometimes talking about something won't stick. Like the cooked spaghetti trick. You know it's done when it sticks. Also, finding a couples therapist who understands autism can be enlightening.

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      • IceCup

        490d

        @NonbinarySlytherin it must be nice to have a partner that understands some/ a lot of the stuff u go through.

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    • IceCup

      490d

      It’s so weird most of the time I’m too empathetic but sometimes it’s like I feel so empty idk

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    • Sydie_Bear

      491d

      I am a hyper empathetic autistic but my best friend is not empathic at all of an autistic. I’ve talked to her about this a lot!! (She’s not on this app) but she agrees with people in this post saying that the little empathy for people but they have a lot for animals. She also gets that way about old people, but not really in her relationship. She navigates that by open communication on both ends, her boyfriend expresses if the lack of empathy has affected him and how, and she adds it to her mental list of things she needs to work on having more compassion for. Which, isn’t really easy, but is possible. While you might not feel that empathy it is possible to get your brain in a spot to think in a grey area, even if you’re not thinking too deep because she also struggles with black and white thinking. Communication is key for that!

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      • Sydie_Bear

        491d

        @Sydie_Bear I’d also like to be super clear that I am also not saying that the communication has to be the best, communication is hard for us by default! But it is important that YOU are clear with your partner about when you are struggling to communicate with them whether it’s because you don’t know how to communicate it, or they’ve expressed they aren’t following or connecting on the issue. Relationships are a very active like “I am learning how to cope and assist my own autistic traits” kind of work. And if regular taking doesn’t work, you can always try other ways to communicate like writing it out for each other, or sitting back to back bouncing your thoughts off of each other so it is less overwhelming.

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    • kasket

      491d

      I do not experience empathy essentially at all, and I’ve communicated this to my romantic partner! They are also on the spectrum so they understand, and when things come up that are emotional we talk it out

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    • IndoorCat

      491d

      I don't have empathy for people, but feel so much for animals that it's overwhelming

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    • Ash.G

      491d

      Not all autistic people lack empathy. In fact half of them feel too much empathy to the point where they don't know how to verbally express it.

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      • Jewelicorn

        490d

        @Ash.G this is exactly me

        0

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      • IceCup

        491d

        @Ash.G I am specifically addressing people who are apathetic with autism + their experiences w relationships. I know not every person is the same this post just doesn’t apply to you.

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        • Ash.G

          491d

          @IceCup Okay then. Now I understand what you wanted.

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      • IceCup

        491d

        @Ash.G I know I’m like that 90% of the time. I am diagnosed with adhd and have many symptoms of autism.

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        • Ash.G

          491d

          @IceCup Yeah same here.

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    • WimpBiscuit

      491d

      I really struggle due to attachment issues as well but I've found a lot of comfort recently by watching autistic vloggers. I've found out a lot about myself, about emotional dysregulation, alexithymia, rejection sensitive dysphoria etc that now I understand myself I can start to manage these in my romantic relationship. It's certainly harder (from what I hear) but once you know what you're dealing with it can start to become easier 😊.

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    • DitsyDiabetic

      492d

      It’s weird, because i also have bipolar, i have very strong emotions for an autistic person. And i feel like I’m emotionally intelligent. Its a weird trip being an emotional autistic tho 🤯🤯🤯

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      • Sydie_Bear

        491d

        @DitsyDiabetic I like to call emotional autistic evil autism because my emotions (usually angry. Top 3 emotions are angry, sad, and ANGRIER) totally take over and ransack everything about my life. 😭 I relate to that a ton

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        • DitsyDiabetic

          490d

          @Sydie_Bear i wish we could share pictures. I have an x,y chart for my emotions 😂

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☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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