|
Autism and fireworks!
So I found out that I was Autistic a few months ago and loud noises bother me especially fireworks and I was wanting to try to go to this year and I am already preparing for a lot of people and for the noise, but my main concern is the fact that the fireworks look like their falling on me . I know there not but it just seems like it . I just want to be able to enjoy it like everyone else and not be scared. I haven't been able to go since I was 12 and I am now 32. I want to be able to accomplish this and get over fear. My mom says why don't you just watch the neighbors do their fireworks that way you can back inside if it scares you because they do them every year ,but I hate missing the big Annual fireworks because of my fear. What does everyone else think?
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Health & Fitness category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Mental health?
Something you can do right now is Noise canceling Earmuffs. People who work with loud machinery wear them to save their ears. If you can find this in time for this July 4th, then all you have left to be concerned over is the idea you have of them falling on you. I don't know if Autism includes distorted thoughts that bring on anxiety but I had anxiety as a kid and teen and no longer have that problem. Most people can't get over it on their own, although I did. It works best if a Psychologist trained in CBT which is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy works with you. It is the more helpful therapy, no drugs, just working on exercises to gain control over the distorted thought that fireworks will fall on you. So you won't be able to get in to see someone and have therapy work that fast for you, although I know that some people if diligent can overcome an anxiety in a couple months or more.
So if I were you, I'd check on computer for places selling these ear noise blocking muffs. I have worn one loaned at gun shooting range and it blocked the sound of the gun shot which is really loud. SO it would work for fireworks. If you want to go this year, perhaps you could sit with an umbrella over your head if it wouldn't block others from seeing. That way as a temporary fix til you go see a therapist, You may feel that bits of ash or whatever, are not able to land on you because the umbrella is there. It'll look funny to be sure but if you don't care about being stared at, I would think it should help. However, as stated by another, the parents won't be around forever and you have to eventually learn how to cope with this problem on your own so start now to address this issue since you are an adult.
]
I think your mom has a good suggestion because she knows that with it you have an out or place of immediate safety without anxiety. However, you would prefer to see the bigger annual display and I can't say I don't blame you. July 4th celebrations of Canada Day ones on July 1st are very impressive.
While I'm not Autistic and don't know too much about what anxiety, fears and triggers you have I do know one thing that could help. You should go with your family and friends whom you know for sure will protect you from anything you are feeling and make things feel safe and okay. That's the primary thing I would do.
The next thing you have to do is convince yourself of what is true and what isn't and remind yourself of it while watching that these fireworks cannot fall on you and the noise has no ability to hurt you at all. If you do that and have your family there with you that will work.
I actually would go against mom's "safe" suggestion even though it was well intended. Why? Sooner or later when your parents aren't around and you have to go about doing things like this alone you'll learn and know from doing this now that you can/did handle it and in your mind can see for next time that it's safe.
I wouldn't for a second allow yourself to be denied the experience to see this display. The desire to go is the main part to have reached and the finding of people to go with that can make you feel secure is really the only other issue. You just have to keep reminding yourself whenever you feel the way you described over and over that it's not rational and cannot and will not happen. Seeing is believing no pun intended in this case. You'll feel bad if anything stood in your way to go.
]
More Questions: |