Too Much Negative Stimuli..

[joeygn72]

I love this forum,I finally have a place to say what goes on with me and somethings I can't say out in the world so thank you EVERYONE for giving me a place to come to.

The issue is at work my co workers constantly watch crime shows. I don't need to go into detail what takes place in these shows but I notice after an hour or so of hearing/seeing these shows I become agitated and feel unstable. Where I work is noisy and a lot goes on and when you couple that with the violent imagery it really affects my overall mood. I cannot afford to be unstable at work. I work in a facility with several guys who suffer from Autism, schizoaffective disorder, Down syndrome and some other diagnosis.

I don't watch TV,Ive got 3 movies on my laptop but outside of that I don't need extra stuff being pumped into my head. I also can't expect everyone else to curtail their wants and needs around my disorder. Plus I doubt it would be beneficial to discuss the matter with them. Has anyone else had an experience like this? If so how have you handled it? Thanks

 

[natalya]

Oh I can relate I'm a barber and you can imagine how much I have to talk and be their therapist. I just walk away. Ger busy doing something else. Go for a walk. Disract yourself somehow. Keep posting your success.

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

The issue is at work my co workers constantly watch crime shows

How come? Do they have too much time on their hands...? It's probably best to do as Natalya said, to walk away if you can. However if you can't, would it be an option to discuss this with your manager?

I also can't expect everyone else to curtail their wants and needs around my disorder.

Maybe you can't expect that, but that doesn't mean you cannot make it heard. If it's affecting your working ability, then it is also an issue that your manager should be concerned with. Take good care of yourself, don't put yourself through painful things just because you think you shouldn't bother anybody.

 

[joeygn72]

I've discussed it with the house manager and whenever possible change it to spongebob square pants,not only cause I dig spongebob(ha ha) I don't think crime shows are appropriate for autistic/ schizoaffective guys to be watching. Some of these guys have been victimized as you can imagine & I don't think it's healthy.

I do walk around a lot but still the exposure sometimes too much. I appreciate your response and might need to reiterate the point to staff. I personally don't feel comfortable with them knowing what I deal with.

 

[The Albatross]

I work with clients and some of their preferred viewing is not good for me. When able I arrange to do other things under the pretext of not disrupting their program and during the time I it is necessary for me to view the material, I write, rearrange my day planner, or make lists for myself... distracting myself from the content.

I work in a client's home, so have to come up with ways to cope. I've been known to get pretty creative to avoid content that I don't want. The volume is an issue with me as well as I don't like to be screamed at... though I know the volume need to be up for a particular client to hear.

What can you think of to do, during these particular programs? Can you offer any alternatives? Maybe they might go along.

My dentist's office has music going all the time. They by consensus vary the schedule to accommodate all of the staffers. Just a suggestion.

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

I personally don't feel comfortable with them knowing what I deal with.

I can understand why you'd feel that way. Maybe you can just tell them that you're having difficulties with the content and it's affecting your work quality, without going into much detail. Spongebob is awesome!

 

[joeygn72]

I'm just learning how to navigate through situations, at 41 yrs old! Ha ha spongebob is great!! It beats most of the other stuff on TV!

 

[joeygn72]

I appreciate all the suggestions. I'm still in the stabilization phase of therapy and maybe I'm a bit hypersensitive. I will look for other activities Albatross..

 

[Nebulustrix]

Similar issue for me - I've been spending a lot of time working out at my local gym. It's been a great way for me to build my confidence in myself by getting back in shape, naturally raising my dopamine levels, and trying to rebuild my ability to feel safe around men. However, there are days when the music playing makes me intensely uncomfortable because it is the kind of music my ex would listen to. I haven't said anything and have been shortening my workouts on the days this is the case and just going and spending extra time in the pool after.

Today though, it was especially bad, and I was pushing myself to keep working out despite my discomfort with the music because the pool was closed. I about hit a point where I couldn't bear it and I wanted to ask for the station to be changed when someone else apparently didn't like the music either and changed it before I had to ask.

Honestly, I think there is nothing wrong with asking that a station/show/etc be changed or turned off because you are not comfortable with it on- no explanation needed. Thinking that is an acceptable solution though and having the courage to actually do it are two different things. I'm still working on that courage myself.

 

[Barconian]

Where I work is noisy and a lot goes on and when you couple that with the violent imagery it really affects my overall mood. I cannot afford to be unstable at work. I work in a facility with several guys who suffer from Autism, schizoaffective disorder, Down syndrome and some other diagnosis.

An interesting combination! Does the noise kind of sounds like chatter? Does it make it hard for you to focus? This is a genuine question?

 

[joeygn72]

Yes it's difficult to focus. I'm not sure about the "chatter" effect tho. One of our guys yells constantly and loudly,theres the TV in the living room and one in another guys room. Theres no carpeting and the walls are plywood cause they love kicking walls and tearing up sheetrock. The sound bounces all over the house so it's very confusing and yes hard to focus. It seems all the sounds get muddled together so I can't say it's a chatter effect.

It does get very tense at times and if one of our guys goes off like 3 weeks ago its really unnerving.

 

[Barconian]

It does get very tense at times and if one of our guys goes off like 3 weeks ago its really unnerving.

So respect is a major issue?