IT might be easier to think that your constant irritability is just another mood swing that occurs from time to time or due to your menstrual cycle if you are a woman. However, this persistent confusion can be helped by a clinical evaluation, where this popular trait masked as something as a personal problem could be associated with autism.
Although autism is commonly diagnosed during childhood, there are adults who remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions such as bipolar disorder or depression, which have overlapping symptoms with autism.
It is important to know that autism diagnosis is currently not the same between men and women, where diagnostic tools are more centred towards males. However, this highlights the dire need for women to get properly diagnosed if they suspect themselves of having autism since this can be easily overlooked and impact livelihood.
According to a consultant psychiatrist, Dr Tesini M Paramannantha Veloo, also a senior lecturer at IMU University, she said that autism is typically not "obvious," which is why many go undiagnosed for years. The common signs to look out for is usually a lifelong pattern that persists since childhood.
"Many autistic adults experience ongoing challenges with sensory sensitivities, such as discomfort with bright lights, loud sounds, certain textures, or visually overwhelming environments," she said.
She added that they could lead to physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, or vague bodily pains. So, if you find yourself struggling with a headache, understand if this is rooted from something else that you tend to overlook, such as the discomfort you get from certain sounds from your workplace or bright lights from your place of study.
Dr Tesini also said that autistic individuals would struggle with understanding social cues, making it difficult for them to cope with unspoken rules or group dynamics and would rely heavily on routines to feel grounded with themselves.
She said that they would have intense focus on specific interests, difficulties with transitions and a deep need for predictability.
Hence, the next time you find yourself getting too cosy with familiarity, you might need to double check the root cause for that need, especially if it is disrupting your daily life or making it difficult to adapt to new environments, such as being easily irritated and not being able to communicate with others if you are no longer in a place you consider a comfort zone.
Having stated that growth is uncomfortable for autistic individuals, Dr Tesini added that while social interactions could be manageable, some would find them exhausting to a certain extent—leading to emotional shutdowns, meltdowns, or overwhelming fatigue after events that require masking or "performing” to fit in. So, if you find yourself easily drained out after a social event, instead of blaming a personality test claiming that you are introverted or extraverted, it could be an underlying condition—undiagnosed autism.
Dr Tesini added that many autistic individuals prior to diagnosis that she knew described a sense of always feeling "different,” yet not being able to pinpoint why.
She said that it would lead to emotional dysregulation, restricted interests, and burnout after social demands that should not be dismissed.
"If these patterns have been present across different stages of life, especially from childhood, it may be worth exploring a neurodiversity-informed assessment," Dr Tesini said.
"Recognising these signs can be the first step towards self-understanding, healing, and receiving the right support," she added.
Recognising these patterns and seeking a diagnosis when necessary can be a crucial step towards self-awareness, support, and improved well-being.
Additionally, raising awareness about autism and advocating for more accessible diagnostic services can help ensure that individuals receive the understanding and resources they need.