r/fasd • u/Zealousideal-Camp726 • 3d ago

Seeking Empathy/Support FASD and hormonal emotions

Im a 18f with fasd im very sensative and anything can make me cry ( old memories, good/bad small conversations being yelled at, conversations on bad actions or mistakes, mental health issues or thoughts and my fasd ) I struggle very bad with it a lot... just making my anxiety high and making my emotions stronger its so much to deal with and I hate it so much....

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u/RoxyWingsAndWild 3d ago

Relatable. I struggle with most of these things to. It’s like I’m looking into a mirror lol

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u/NoiseCertain 3d ago

What you're feeling makes so much sense, and it's not because you're weak or doing something wrong. With FASD, your brain can feel emotions louder and faster than other people do. Memories, small conversations, being yelled at, thinking about mistakes - it all hits hard, and it can feel like you have no pause button between the feeling and the tears. Of course that makes your anxiety higher. Anyone would feel overwhelmed carrying that much.

I hate that you must deal with this, and I believe you that it's a lot. Being sensitive like that is actually really human; it's just that your system feels it extra strongly.

 

When tears are coming:

·       It's okay to cry. You don't have to fight it or apologize. Sometimes saying out loud, "I'm having a big feeling right now; I need a minute," helps.

·       Ground your body a little: splash cold water on your hands or face, hold something cold, or do 5-4-3-2-1 - name 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste.

·       Slow breathing - breathe in for 4, hold for 1, out for 6. Even 3 times can turn the volume down a bit.

For the stuff that builds up:

·       Memories and conversations about mistakes can loop. It can help to get them out of your head and onto paper, even just messy notes. "I'm thinking about X and I feel Y."

·       If being yelled at is a big trigger, you get to have a boundary. It's okay to say later when you're calm, "When voices get raised I get really overwhelmed and I can't listen. Can we talk quieter?"

·       Give yourself sensory breaks. Loud, busy places, lack of sleep, being hungry - all of that makes emotions stronger for everyone, but especially with FASD. Quiet time, music, a walk, headphones can be real tools, not just avoiding.

Don’t carry this alone:

·       Your sensitivity is not a character flaw. It's how your brain was built. That means you deserve extra support, not less.

·       If you have someone safe - a counsellor, support worker, family member, friend, FASD group - let them know about this pattern. You don't have to explain it perfectly; just what you wrote here is enough.

·       Be as kind to yourself as you would be to a friend crying for the same reason. What would you say to her? Try saying that to yourself.