Reminder for people like me who dislike socialising with others and find conversing with others insufferably boring: you don't have to talk to people online. You don't have to answer that ask or comment, you don't have to message that user or start-up a conversation, you are allowed to stay in your own online-bubble.
You don't have to make yourself uncomfortable with forced conversation to appease people online who you don't know.
people when the condition affects your mental health negatively: oh no! im sorry. keep going ! i believe in you 👍
people when the condition affects your hygiene negatively: ew.. they're so gross... thats disgusting i feel so bad for the people who have to deal with that... this is definitely a moral failing and a sign of a weird bad person
my that one friend that's too woke opinion is that in a similar vein to how you almost never see fat people or women without makeup on tv you never really see anyone experiencing incontinence issues unless it's a humiliating comedic moment at their expense and that's kind of scary
like sorry to be the bearer of bad news but people piss themselves. when they're afraid. when they've experienced mental and/or physical trauma and their body needs a way to express that stress. when they've been sexually assaulted. when they get older and their muscles start to wear out from a lifetime of service. a not insignificant majority of people Will experience incontinence in their lifetimes and while there are steps you can take to manage it for your own comfort and others', there's simply no moral dimension to it whatsoever. & like i'm not saying every show and movie needs checkhov's bed wetting scene but we have seriously got to get more okay with acknowledging that somehow.
the thing that's dumb about the whole "can you be a fan of a video game if you're watching gameplay on youtube rather than playing the game yourself" discourse, is that people keep comparing that to "reading the wikipedia summary", when to me it's more comparable to "listening to an audiobook" because listening to a story being read is a fundamentally different experience from reading the book yourself, But i think it would be strange if people argued that listening to an audiobook means you're not experiencing the story at all. just because it's not the way you're generally suppose to engage with books as medium.
What I feel people frequently forget about autistic special interests is that they aren't always information based. They may simply be visual or mental
Someone may have a special interest in a show, but instead of that meaning that they will talk about that show often, it may mean they watch that show extremely frequently.
Special interests are ways of regulating, not simply encyclopedias we have in our heads. Sometimes it's watching something frequently. Maybe only listening to one genre of music, maybe it's a collection, maybe it's an action. I'm tired of it only being seen as autistic people's personal encyclopedias
CW: mentions of self injury and autistic meltdowns
self injury and meltdowns
i can’t speak for every autistic person, but for many of us, self-injurious behaviors during meltdowns are not about wanting to be hurt. they are about regulation. a meltdown is not a tantrum or a choice. it is a nervous system overload, during that state, the brain is desperately searching for something that is predictable, intense, and controllable. pain or strong physical input can sometimes serve that purpose.
self-injurious behaviors often:
provide strong a sensory input that cuts through overwhelming noise, light, emotions, or thoughts
create a sense of cause and effect when everything else feels chaotic
help narrow focus to one sensation when the world feels unmanageably large
act as an instinctive attempt to self-regulate, not a sign of defiance or attention-seeking
because of this, telling someone to “stop,” “calm down,” or “control yourself” rarely works. it can increase distress, shame, and escalation. the behavior is already a coping attempt. taking it away without replacing it leaves the nervous system with nothing to grab onto. this is why redirection and protection are usually far more effective than prohibition.
how to help:
stay calm and predictable. your nervous system matters more than your words.
reduce demands. a meltdown is not a teachable moment.
ask for consent before touching, when possible.
redirect rather than forbid. replace the input instead of removing it entirely.
below are common self-injurious behaviors some autistic people experience during meltdowns, along with ways to help that focus on safety and regulation.
hitting self (arms, hips, head, legs, chest)
what may help:
offer something safe to hold, squeeze, or press into, like a comfort plush, stress ball, therapy putty, or folded blanket
weighted items or firm pressure objects can sometimes meet the same sensory need
keep your language simple and neutral, for example: “here. hold this.”
hitting head against surfaces
what may help:
first try redirection with a comfort object or familiar item
if the behavior continues, place a soft barrier such as a pillow, cushion, or folded blanket between the head and the surface
in more severe or frequent cases, some people benefit from protective equipment like soft helmets, as a preventative safety tool rather than a punishment
the goal here is injury prevention, not restraint.
hair pulling
what may help:
give a fidget that provides clear cause-and-effect feedback, such as clicking, snapping, resistance, or texture
items that require repetitive finger movement can sometimes substitute for the sensation and rhythm of hair pulling
biting self
what may help:
offer a safe alternative to bite, such as a chew necklace, chew tube, or teether
if those aren’t available, crunchy or cold items like ice chips can sometimes provide strong oral input
avoid reacting with alarm, which can unintentionally reinforce distress
scratching or picking at skin
what may help:
offer something soft or textured to touch, like a blanket or plush fabric
sometimes redirecting to a more pleasant tactile sensation can “outcompete” the urge to scratch
if the person is open to touch, gently guiding their hand to rub with the palm instead of nails can reduce harm while preserving the repetitive motion
in more extreme situations, protective coverings like mittens may help, if the person tolerates them
other self injurious behaviors that can occur during a physical meltdown:
these vary widely by person, but may include:
banging limbs on objects
pressing or digging into skin
clenching muscles intensely
throwing body weight into surfaces
the same guiding idea applies: look for ways to redirect the sensation, protect the body, and lower overall sensory load.
self-injurious behaviors during meltdowns are often a sign that regulation resources have been exceeded. they are not moral failures, manipulation, or something that can simply be “stopped.” trying to block these behaviors without offering alternatives usually increases distress. redirection, sensory substitution, and environmental safety are far more effective and compassionate. helping an autistic person through a physical meltdown is less about control and more about becoming a calm predictable helper while the person attempts to regulate themselves.
autonomy, consent and respect always comes first, but temporary protective restraint can be necessary at times.
its purpose:
last-resort support to prevent serious injury when a person cannot regulate independently.
it is not: punishment, control, convenience, or behavior management.
when to intervene:
-if safety isn’t possible without restraint
-if the person is dissociative or unresponsive (not verbally unresponsive, mentally unresponsive)
-if they are at risk for serious injury like, fractures, internal injury, breaks or concussions.
-are bleeding or already injured
-all other possible options have been tried and were refused or didn’t help at all
core rules
least force possible
shortest time necessary
side or behind only
no chest, neck, spine, or joint pressure
release as soon as intensity drops
support, don’t immobilize
allow breathing + movement
keep pressure steady, not tight
minimal contact
avoid crowding
contain, don’t pin
stay still and predictable
breath slow and stay calm
specifically for kids:
wrap upper arms/torso
stay at their level
calmly reassure the person, and always explain/narrate what you are doing even if they seem like they don’t understand.
say things like:
“i’m keeping you safe”
“your not in trouble”
“im putting my hand on your arm”
release immediately when:
movements slow
tension drops
awareness returns
after:
give space
no demands or blame
don’t ask questions
offer a calm place or comfort item
remember that physical meltdowns are not intentional violence, and definitely do not have any criminal intent whatsoever.
I'm sick of transandrophobia deniers talking about it like it's about strangers misgendering me and not my white step dad disrespecting my identity as trans because he just "misses his sweet baby girl" and then when he finally accepted it he decided his kid who had never been violent was now a dangerous Black man and barred me from his home declaring me someone who would cause him or hisbpets harm to spite and harm him :/
Like I have a fucking life I'm not some hypothetical person who only experiences what you type out in a tumblr post
This post even covers only ONE of those experiences
Reminder for this April that the puzzle piece is not inherently bad. It wasn't created by Autism Speaks, rather by National Autistic Society in 1963, made to symbolize that autism was a "puzzling" condition. Many autistic people especially higher support needs folks rely on the puzzle piece's visibility and awareness for safety. Don't judge people solely by what symbol they use or prefer, there's far more important things to focus on this month.
ok but isn't that just misogyny??? like u can't be afraid of women without being misogynistic idt
being afraid of something does not equal discrimination. Misogyny is discrimination and prejudice against people who identify as women and feminine presenting people
Edit:
(id: comment by @/starryblack0 that says "Person with gynephobia (who isnt a misogynist): i believe women are equally as human as anyone else. They deserve rights. However, i have an aversion to them and experience distress while near them-- not because i think poorly of them, but because of a mental condition that i have. It is not personal and is out of my control. || Misogynist (+ nongynephobe): I view women as less than in some way shape or form, consciously or subconsciously. I also believe in the exploitation of women and often want to be near women in order to extract things from them." / End id)
Sorry if this is a weird question, I've been seeing a therapist and we've been talking about my possible schizoid traits (nothing on diagnosis yet, not really interested in it) but she has trouble understanding me in the way I want to be understood, maybe I'm just bad at wording things verbally.
Regardless, I had a question regarding schizoids and relationships (of all kinds). Can one be schizoid but still enjoy indulging in kind things with friends. I have friends albeit limited and with almost zero emotional attachment on my end, if they went missing tomorrow I wouldn't grieve, though I still very much enjoy making things for them. Specifically a friend of 6 years I've had, I love creative works it's one of my "few enjoyable hobbies" and giving a gift I made to people makes me proud, like..when they're happy it shows my work is good.
I would never in a million years want to sit down next to this person and do crafts with them, but I like to give gifts. If that makes sense.
Not a weird question... I had to take some time to process your question, hence the delay, because the answer runs into quite a bit of depth.
I think that what you’re describing actually makes sense when looked at through how schizoid dynamics tend to be structured internally. It may seem contradictory on the surface, however it aligns with a pattern that shows up quite often.
I also think that an important distinction here is the difference between emotional attachment and internal or functional satisfaction.
From what I can see, the enjoyment you’re experiencing does not appear to be coming from connection to the person. It seems that it is coming from the process and outcome of your creative work, and how that result is reflected back to you. When they respond positively, it indicates something about your ability, your standard, your output. That becomes the meaningful part.
So the situation may be playing out in a way whereby:
You create something
You give it
They respond positively
This indicates the quality or value of your work
Resulting in satisfaction
I think that in this equation, the person is involved, however they are not the primary source of meaning. They function more as a point of feedback within the process.
This helps explain why two things can exist at the same time without conflict:
You can enjoy giving something to someone
Whilst also experiencing little to no emotional attachment
These are operating on different levels.
Your comment about not wanting to sit and do crafts with them also indicates something important. Shared activity requires real-time engagement, coordination, and relational presence, which may feel effortful or unnecessary. On the other hand, creating something alone and then presenting it allows control over timing, distance, and exposure.
What may be occurring here is a form of indirect engagement. You are participating in a social exchange, however in a way that:
maintains distance
allows internal pacing
avoids sustained interaction
still enables expression through what you create
So rather than connecting through interaction, you are connecting through output.
In this position, the meaning is not being generated by the relationship itself, but by your internal process and the confirmation of your work through their response.
This is why enjoyment can exist without attachment. The source of the experience is internal, even though another person is involved externally.
If you were to explain this to your therapist, it may help to frame it in a more direct way, such as:
“I enjoy doing things for people, but the enjoyment comes from the creation and the result, not from feeling emotionally connected to them.”
That may help shift the focus toward what is actually occurring.
This is what I can see from your comment. Hopefully this gives you a clearer way of understanding and communicating your experience.
i wish i could find statistics about schizoid pd. i wanna know how many of us drop out of school, how many have friends despite not wanting to, what percentage deal with the schizoid dilemma
[ID: Zoophile vs Teratophilia vs Beastiality /End ID]
Zoophilia refers to human or otherwise sapient beings who are attracted to/aroused by non-human animals. This comes in an array of subsets, as many zoophiles have specific animals they find attractive/arousing.
A few of the most common subsets of zoophilia are Equinophilia (attraction/arousal towards horses), Aelurophilia (attraction/arousal towards cats), Canophilia (attraction/arousal towards dogs), Entomophilia (attraction/arousal towards insects), and Formicophilia (attraction/arousal towards small animals crawling/nibbling them).
Teratophilia refers to the attraction/arousal towards monsters. Like zoophilia, this comes in an array of subsets, many of which share similarities (or fully overlap) with necrophilia (attraction/arousal towards corpses) and zoophilia. This is because many monsters are undead beings and/or have animalistic characteristics (claws, paws, tails, fangs, venom, fur, scales, tentacles, etc.) For example, a teratophile who is attracted to dragons may also be attracted to dinosaurs, snakes, lizards, or similar such creatures.
People who perform beastiality, on the other hand, are abusing, assaulting, or forcing an animal into a situation that it does not have the ability to consent to on a sapient being's level.
What differentiates zoophilia & teratophilia from beastiality?
[ID: What differentiates zoophilia & teratophilia from beastiality? /End ID.]
Zoophiles and teratophiles are having thoughts/feelings. Thoughts and feelings =/= harmful action. Most zoophiles and teratophiles use outlets such fiction, roleplaying with a consenting partner, creating personal vent art, or thought training to redirect their train of thoughts, or a whole other range of activities that do not inflict harm upon others.
Think of it this way - if you have an intrusive thought about breaking someone's neck, does that mean you're going to do it? No, because its an intrusive thought. It doesn't indicate that you're an actually dangerous person.
Additionally, many animal abusers are doing so out of opportunism, rather than attraction/arousal - its the same way that most men who rape men are straight [link.] And even animal abusers who are also zoophiles or teratophiles aren't abusive because of their paraphilias, they are abusive because they have made bad choices.
Paraphilic disorders are skewed towards criminals because the general population rarely seek a diagnosis, and psychologists tend to only test these conditions on criminals who have committed animal-related crimes. Think of it like this - if autism was mainly only tested in criminals, then autism would be known as a "crime condition" too, and be deemed "more common" in criminals than in the general public.
Stigmatization is what prevents the general public from seeking diagnosis. If diagnosed, they are often ostracized, institutionalized, heavily drugged, pushed into conversion therapy (which does not work), and/or put onto anti-androgens to kill their sex drive (which is both stripping them of autonomy and also isn't guaranteed to work, because some of them experience attraction rather than arousal, and killing libido would only kill arousal, not attraction.)