Reversing the negative spiral of stress – a personal and philosophical reflection

This presentation explores the various causes of, and responses to, stress, through an insider’s perspective. This will include a discussion of sensory overload and fragmentation, and the stress and isolation caused by the mutual incomprehension entailed in the ‘double empathy problem’ as theorised by the presenter. The combination of various forms of stress can create negative looping effects leading to meltdowns, shutdowns, or more long-term mental ill-health. This presentation will also highlight how such difficulties are less apparent in autistic people of a more passive temperament. The presentation will utilise photographs of the presenter when young, as well as interactive activities to highlight the issues raised and will finish with a reflection on how to reverse the negative spiral of stress, and thus create positive looping effects in the lives of autistic people.