Struggling with Expressing My Emotions in Public

Recently I’ve been working on unmasking and not hiding my true feelings as much when I’m around people. Ever since I’ve told my mom about the things I’ve been diagnosed with I’ve felt it was safer to do so. However, I’m starting to get to the point where I feel like I’m just being a nuisance to people whenever we go out. Like the more I let myself be excused from things that normally bring me discomfort, the happier I am but the less I am able to handle those things in the future. Things I used to be able to act happy and “normal” in I now can’t force myself to emote in properly without risking tearing up or crying. I’m scared the more I do this the worse I’ll get, even though overall I’m happier and less stressed when left undisturbed. How much is healthy and how much is too much? Having people react negatively to it also sucks since I’ve always been a people pleaser.

Your answer

wise

2y ago

There is no such thing as too much unmasking. Masking is a survival tactic, being able to unmask is a good thing. That means you feel safe enough in your environment to be YOU, rather than the convenient person others may want you to be. I've spent several years learning how to unmask and at this point if you asked me to start masking again in my own home, I wouldn't be able to do it. That's not a bad thing, that's a sign of progress and healing. Please don't feel like you're not allowed to unmask. Anyone who reacts negatively to you being visibly/obviously autistic isn't someone you want in your life anyway, so their opinion doesn't matter

Katty

2y ago

The world sucks! I can relate a bit bc I wasn’t masking sensory issues over the pandemic and as things were going back to normalish in spring/summer of 2021 I was having a really hard time. Even walking down the street could be distressing bc I wasn’t used to coping with the noises or accompanying physical side effects anymore. . Exposure has helped, but I’ll never be able to mask my sensory issues to the degree I did before and I wouldn’t want to. I’m happier and less over stimulated this way.

JackOTrades

2y ago

Thank you, I’ll do my best

Ignis

2y ago

Friend, you are not getting worse, you are getting better. There is nothing wrong with the way you are. That said I do understand that this is something that is very difficult. I am so sorry that you’re being made to feel like you need to mask. I hate to give advice like this but practice masking for a small time, but please don’t start masking when you don’t absolutely have to. But remember you are perfect the way you are. The problem lies with the world

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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