#the potentially undiagnosed autism really is out rn

[superunnaturalsammy]

I'm having a crazy obsession time and I'm fighting my demons. Every time someone posts about Supernatural and they just get all these little details wrong it makes me feel insane like... No the CW didn't scrap tattoo'ed Dean because of budget restrictions... The WB did. Because that's who owned the show first, the CW got it from them. Another annoying one is when everyone is like 'oh I love the aesthetic in season 1 and 2 it's so cool cuz it's on film' IT WAS ON FILM THROUGH SEASON 4 IT GETS A LITTLE BRIGHTER IN SEASON 3 CUZ THE NETWORK ASKED THEM TO DO IT BECAUSE THEY FELT LIKE THE SHOW WAS TO DARK AND DIDN'T MATCH WELL WITH THE OTHER CW SHOWS!!

IDK I know I'm being insane about this show.

[notabled-noodle]

Hi, I have a questions. Is it possible to know if I'm socially awkward/anxious because I'm just Like That, or if it's due to ADHD or autism? I can imagine a neurodivergency would present with other symptoms, right, outside of just being awkward?

Also like. I try to remember specific instances of me being "weird" or feeling out of place, and I can't pin anything down because it's almost constant. I'm like that with my family, and strangers, but not close friends. Then again, I also have to mask some parts of myself because my parents don't have the highest of opinions of LGBTQ+ folk...

Ah, uh, hm. Anyways. I don't think I was on anon for this but a while back I sent you some asks about how caffeine affects me vs my other undiagnosed w/ ADHD friends. And theres... a new development for me???? Coffee now makes me tired, when it wasn't before. Doesn't matter if there's sugar in it or not.

Uh. I lost my train of thought. Uh. Uhh???? Oh right. So like, I'm just super awkward with people in general, I stutter and stammer even if I know the answer to questions customers are asking (I work in retail). I also noticed that today I could barely understand what some of my coworkers (aside from my best friend, who also works with me) were saying. And at times it was super loud and I felt anxious and sick, I think??? Due to the noise or something? But then I would suddenly notice it was super quiet and the absence or noise was just so chilling and strange.

Sorry for the ramble. Idk if I really have a question here at all, to summarize what I've said...

Uh.. Social anxiety vs ADHD vs Autism: how can I tell the difference? Or can I? I don't have the money for therapy rn and my parents (mom) think I don't need it because I can "figure stuff out on my own." Fun (not so fun) fact, there's this dude who hurt me who came into my workplace prior to me darting there. My mom legit told me to imagine him coming in there so "I could practice reacting to him being there." Which like. It. Uh. Yeah no. I had to hold in my nausea for MONTHS and I'm only just starting to feel fine with going into work now. I started in October of last year and I'm only just now starting to feel ok.

Aaah so so sorry for the long and rambling post I have had a sugary soda so I'm all over the place I'm sorry

hi! it’s definitely possible to have all of the above (autism, ADHD, and social anxiety). it does sound like you have social anxiety that is separate from any other potential neurodivergence, but I obviously can’t say for sure. this also does not mean that it is just social anxiety alone.

social anxiety is exactly what it sounds like — anxiety that surrounds socialising and being around other people. it’s common for people with ADHD and/or autism to develop social anxiety as a result of being excluded, teased, or bullied as children. it can almost be a kind of over-correction to social awkwardness.

awkwardness that is solely from ADHD or autism doesn’t come with that anxiety. being awkward around other people when you are autistic comes from a lack of understanding around social rules. being awkward around other people when you have ADHD comes from impulsivity, boredom, or distractedness.

in terms of caffeine — that happens! different life circumstances can lead to different responses to different drugs… and caffeine is a drug.

I hope this makes sense, and that it answers your questions!