16 Comments
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Define Nice - Liz Getty's avatar

I often ask which is rearing - autism, menopause, or CPTSD! I can say that the hormone factor has been a huge factor in my own anxiety and want to mention here as a contributing factor because so many of the ND population are affected more severely. For me anxiety and the AM cortisol rush have affected every part of daily life!

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Alys Hedd's avatar

Thanks, Liz, I think this is the same for me, and I'm certainly heading into perimenopause - not that my GP wants to know about it! It's so complicated.

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Define Nice - Liz Getty's avatar

It’s the worst thing I’ve ever been through - 49 and determined post menopause this week by my numbers - i still bleed - be kind to yourself and look for the ND women talking about it - bc it definitely affects us differently!

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Alys Hedd's avatar

I follow a couple of accounts here about it - so far, I’ll be honest, I’ve stuck my head in the sand a bit, there’s already so much to think about . Thank you x

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Richard (Autistic All Along)'s avatar

' I wonder if it was the mask that held me together? Unpicking its threads has loosened my ability to function.'

This, exactly. I've been wondering about the same thing for a while now. Thank you for expressing it so clearly.

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Alys Hedd's avatar

All the things are falling out!

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Richard (Autistic All Along)'s avatar

Save the things!

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Alys Hedd's avatar

I don't know - I think a lot of them need disposing of, ha ha

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Richard (Autistic All Along)'s avatar

Throw away the things!

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nibbins the cat's avatar

This can't be easy to write about but you do so with great clarity and frankness. Good wishes.

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Alys Hedd's avatar

Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to comment, I really appreciate that 🙏🏻

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Amy's avatar

Thank you for sharing, Alys. You sound reflective, and that can only be a good thing. I'm yet to unpick how my decades of masking have affected me.

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Another Mother blog's avatar

I feel every word of that. I was also recently diagnosed with AuDHD, and my C-PTSD has always made my life very challenging. I am so grateful that we have a platform to talk about this stuff and educate those who may not be aware of the wonderful alphabet soup of diagnoses we carry around.

Anyway, thank you for being authentic. Those of us who get it, get it.

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Alys Hedd's avatar

Thank you so much. It feels wonderful to be seen and understood.

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Alys Hedd's avatar

Thanks, Amy - yes, I think it's going to take a long time to discover the depth of it.

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Jennie is writing's avatar

Another brave piece. I hope you are able to find some relief soon. I understand the fear around medication - but you can always stop if it doesn’t feel right. Alternatively it might be just the respite you need for now. I hope the dr was able to help in some form. Sending love. ❤️

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