By Michael Kelman Portney

Autism is often discussed in terms of social differences, sensory sensitivities, and unique cognitive traits. But beneath the surface lies a quieter, more insidious struggle: the constant activation of the fight-or-flight response. For many autistic individuals, the world can feel like a battlefield, with overwhelming stimuli, unpredictable social dynamics, and unrelenting pressure to mask their true selves.

This constant state of hypervigilance isn’t just exhausting—it’s damaging. Studies have shown that autistic individuals, on average, live significantly shorter lives. While factors like access to healthcare, mental health struggles, and co-occurring conditions play a role, the chronic activation of the fight-or-flight response might be one of the most overlooked contributors.

Let’s explore how this mechanism works, why it’s so damaging, and what can be done to address it.

The Fight-or-Flight Response: A Double-Edged Sword

The fight-or-flight response is our body’s natural way of responding to threats. It floods us with adrenaline and cortisol, preparing us to either confront danger or escape it. It’s useful in short bursts, but when activated constantly, it wreaks havoc on the body and mind.

For autistic individuals, everyday life can trigger this response. Loud noises, bright lights, social miscommunications, and even subtle changes in routine can feel overwhelming, sparking a physiological reaction meant for survival.

Why It’s Worse for Autistic Individuals

1. Hypervigilance:
   Many autistic individuals are constantly scanning their environment for potential stressors, whether it’s sensory overload, confusing social cues, or sudden changes. This heightened awareness keeps the fight-or-flight response active, even in situations others might find benign.

2. Masking:
   The pressure to “mask” autistic traits—to appear neurotypical—adds an additional layer of stress. This constant self-monitoring and suppression of natural behaviors only amplifies the body’s stress response.

3. Sensory Overload:
   Everyday environments—fluorescent lights, crowded spaces, unexpected noises—can feel like a barrage of threats, keeping the body in a perpetual state of alert.

The Long-Term Impact on Health

The fight-or-flight response isn’t meant to be a constant state, and when it is, the effects can be devastating. Chronic stress has been linked to a host of health problems, including:

• Cardiovascular issues: High blood pressure, increased risk of heart attacks, and strokes.

• Immune system suppression: Making the body more vulnerable to illnesses and slower to recover.

• Mental health challenges: Anxiety, depression, and burnout.

• Neurological wear and tear: Prolonged exposure to cortisol can damage the brain, affecting memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation.

For autistic individuals, the combination of these factors can contribute to a significantly reduced lifespan.

The Statistics Speak Volumes

Studies have revealed that autistic individuals have an average life expectancy of 54 years, compared to 70+ years for the general population. Suicide and mental health challenges are major contributors, but the physical toll of chronic stress can’t be ignored. This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a crisis.

What Can Be Done?

The fight-or-flight response is deeply ingrained, but there are ways to mitigate its impact and improve quality of life for autistic individuals:

1. Create Safer Environments:

   • Reduce sensory triggers in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.

   • Provide quiet spaces where individuals can decompress.

2. Normalize Stimming and Natural Behaviors:

   • Allow autistic individuals to engage in self-soothing behaviors without judgment or punishment.

3. Supportive Therapies:

   • Therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or occupational therapy can help individuals develop strategies to manage stress and navigate sensory challenges.

4. Accessible Mental Health Resources:

   • Mental health care tailored to autistic individuals can address the unique challenges they face, including anxiety and burnout.

5. Societal Acceptance:

   • Reducing the pressure to mask by promoting understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity can alleviate the constant strain of trying to fit into a neurotypical mold.

Shifting the Narrative

This isn’t just about reducing stress—it’s about valuing lives. The shortened lifespan of autistic individuals isn’t inevitable; it’s a reflection of how society has failed to create an environment where they can thrive. Addressing the fight-or-flight crisis isn’t just a matter of health—it’s a matter of justice.

Conclusion: Fighting for More Time

The fight-or-flight response is a survival mechanism, but for many autistic individuals, it’s a constant companion. Over time, this takes a toll—on the body, the mind, and ultimately, the lifespan.

If we want to change these outcomes, we need to change the way we see and support autistic individuals. It starts with understanding, but it doesn’t end there. It’s about creating a world where the fight-or-flight response isn’t triggered by daily life, where masking isn’t necessary, and where autistic individuals are free to live fully, without the constant weight of survival mode.

Because everyone deserves a chance to thrive—not just to survive.

Michael Kelman Portney believes that his days are numbered, but his ideas will live forever on https://www.misinformationsucks.com