is a distraction—a repetitive action with sensory-seeking intensity sufficient to override the emotional. Then the brain’s pain response system kicks in—reacting to emotional or physical injury in the same way: a rush of endorphins, endogenous opioids, to deaden the hurt and induce a flood of calm. It’s a self-sabotaging relief that epidemic numbers of autistic women seek through substance use, high-risk, repetitive processes (gambling, gaming, sex or porn addictions), by pulling their hair, cutting the skin, or, very often, an amalgamation of more than one. Hours lost to hyperfocus in a
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