- Date posted
- 8h
autistic too or just ocd? Need direction for help
I have a constant compulsion in the back of my mind always running an analysis of basically whether my perception of everything is broken or not. I had some real life experiences in a high control group trying to convince me out of my own worldview and sense of self for an extended period which definitely is where this theme developed. But I mean like I have a thought about anything (ie wanting to text a friend) and it becomes like when did I text him last, would he be busy rn, what would he think of how much I’m struggling rn, do I text too much, do I text not enough and he’s moved on, etc. I start trying to draft a text if it’s funny it feels too casual and dumb and not worth sharing even if he’d enjoy it, if it’s serious or like something in the news it feels like I’m some no fun anxious nerd overthinking again, then it becomes like testing my actions against random disorders (schizophrenia, BPD, bipolar, narcissism, etc), then it becomes considering all of my biases in relevant topics (even down to like if I believe in free will or not) as a way to be sure I’m not deluding myself, like if I take on a completely disagreeable worldview for a second would I do something different and if so how do I PROVE that it’s disagreeable. Then it becomes testing the morality of whatever action I ended up taking or not taking by thinking of like every possible effect it could have. I’ll then have new symptoms as a result of spiraling 24/7, like extreme exhaustion brain fog not being able to focus on my studies bc of spiraling, so then I analyze for hours if there could be a cause other than ocd. However in this constant self analysis I’ve caught myself doing something idk whether is just a strange side effect of my ocd or revealing something underlying. I find that, my whole life, but definitely magnified when spiraling like this I people please a ton bc I’m always scared that I’m either incorrect, immoral, missing something, misinterpreting something, having different or less common desires etc. idk whether that’s fully explainable as some type of reassurance like compulsion, it may be since I feel relief when I see that the other person seems to not see me as insane, deeply immoral etc, also bc if they don’t confront me on a disagreement or something they don’t like that I’m doing I don’t have to spiral about whether I’m in the wrong or whether they’re overstepping and whether I should be annoyed or apologetic and what my actual feelings say about me and etc, I don’t have to face “proof” of my obsessive fears. But I also see so much overlap between this and autistic masking, with an additional layer. Maybe my ocd decided that protecting that mask was what was most important to me. It also makes me wonder bc a lot of my scariest thoughts is while I’m thinking what does this say about me in the background I’m also thinking (and how will that effect my friendships and how the people I love perceive me if I am that bad thing). Like I have a strong sense of who I am when not spiraling but I’m not confident enough in it to stand on it if there’s even the slightest chance it’ll be misinterpreted or properly interpreted and disapproved of by someone I value, or even just someone I see a lot because wha if they convince other people they’re right how will the rest of the room see it. Another could be ocd could be autism thing is I struggle a lot when I’m struggling with how much to share. All I’m thinking about is the intrusive thoughts, so idk how to catch up with people in a socially acceptable way, like “what you been up to?” “Uhhh scanning my every thought for 12 hours a day, pretty sure I’m not scizophreic but here’s a dissertation on my morality from the POV of 6 different moral philosophies idk who’s right. And I know you were encouraging me to try in school but I am indeed 2 months behind again.” If I don’t admit those things I feel like a liar, and it’s not even some big moral thing as much as a fear of losing closeness and comfort and sincerity with the people who know everything about me. But if I do I’m just seeking assurance usually, I rarely take actions to better it bc I’m stuck in that spiral and I feel guilty for never just being able to hang out normally and obsess over how they perceive my rambling. Is this masking plus ocd? Or just ocd? I know this will likely come off as asking for reassurance, and tbh maybe it is who knows. But I don’t believe it is because I’m honestly not that scared of being autistic, when my ocd has said maybe I’m (any of the disorders listed above) it’s felt highly irrational even if compelling in the moment. This one has been in the back of my mind, not causing panic, for months. Tbh it only becomes an intrusive thought, when the thought becomes “is this just another intrusive thought”. I’m just hoping someone who has both or has worked with people who have both could help give me a little direction, I do NOT have the money to get tested right away without at least knowing the opinions of someone who knows more than me. More than happy to answer any questions, sorry for the long read.