So, I’m not officially diagnosed but I match a lot of autism traits, and lately I’m trying to understand myself better. For a long time I only focused on the hard parts — like social stuff, getting tired fast, or feeling misunderstood. But yesterday something strange happened. I was doing this small hobby of mine, very focused, and I felt… actually good. Calm, comfortable, kinda “in my own world” but in a nice way.
And I thought, maybe autism is not always only struggle. Maybe sometimes it gives us moments where we feel safe, focused, or happy in our own way.
So I wanted to ask:
Is it normal to feel good with autism sometimes?
Like, having moments where you feel more yourself, or where your brain actually helps you instead of fighting you?
Also, if anyone is curious, I found a simple self-assessment (English + German versions) that helped me understand my traits a bit better — not a diagnosis, just a self-screening: Neurodivergent Test - Am I Neurodivergent
Yes, I think feeling good with autism (or ADHD) sometimes is quite normal.
One aspect might be the so called hyperfocus, wich means to be focussed on something very intensely. I think this goes hand in hand with the good feeling of doing exactly the right thing.
Another example is an emergency situation involving ADHD. If, for example, in a car accident, everyone around becomes stressed (dopamine and norepinephrine levels rise, the PFC comes under pressure), this acute increase in dopamine and norepinephrine compensates for the deficiency that otherwise exists in ADHD, and everything functions with a clear head and overview that everyone else is currently lacking. In an accident or emergency situation, it can be helpful to have someone with ADHD around. It is no coincidence that the rate of ADHD is significantly higher among paramedics and emergency doctors. However, these are exceptional situations, the frequency of which can perhaps be influenced (choice of profession). But it would be a fallacy to believe that autism and ADHD simply need the right environment and then everything will be fine. Anyone who claims this should please create such an environment.
