[Virus]

I have a lot of conditions, including Asperger's, panic disorder, general anxiety, OCD, and probably misophonia, along with a few phobias that can be quite a pain in the neck at times.

I'm currently working on my self esteem problems, but one thing that's really dragging me down is the long list of my "problems" that I have. I don't like being touched suddenly or certain textures, I tend to ramble, and sometimes I'm hard to communicate with because of the Asperger's. I'm easily frightened and can have pretty bad panic attacks thanks to the anxiety. Certain words and sounds will make me very anxious and sometimes violently angry (to the point of hurting myself) because of the misophobia. I am particular about numbers and certain rituals because of the OCD. It's a long list, but it's my list. I don't wanna get depressed or anxious or want to hurt myself, so I feel the need to tell people if they do something to bother me.

But it's SO much. I feel like people think I'm seeking attention or being obnoxious by being all "ohno stop doing *this normal thing* it triggers me". It's not like I have PTSD or anything; I've been through crap but nothing worthy of someone who goes through flashbacks or anything. I just want to feel normal, and all these things like chewing noises make it hard for me to feel normal. No one else I know has to plug their ears when that stupid freaking Kit Kat commercial comes on. My family says I over react, and I know I am, but I seriously can't help it. I even hate holidays because I'm afraid of hearing my step-dad doing things that trigger my misophonia.

What do I do? Do I just suck it up or do I risk sounding like a total ***?

[k207]

I think your best bet is to inform the people around you of what bothers you and ask them to be accommodating. If they don't like it, find better friends. This may sound difficult but I think it would be even more difficult if you just sucked it up, it sounds like you would be miserable. You should also see a therapist to work on these issues.

[-jimi-]

Sometimes having Asperger's can be like living without skin. Just living a "normal" life can be traumatic.

Things bother me too, but IRL I have decided if it is not inside my home I should not be allowed to control it. So I just suffer through even if it feels like knives stabbing my soul. Why should my issues affect other people's freedoms? I mean, it is me who is disordered and the world can't be created for my own needs. So I learned to play normal and grin and bear it.

I'm not saying it is the way to go but that is how I see it.