Does anyone else’s anger hit late and stay too long?
By Real Ray C on
I’ll be fine, then out of nowhere my brain replays something that happened; a comment, a tone, a look. I didn’t even realize it bothered me at the time, but hours or days later it hits hard.
I’m autistic, and anger doesn’t always show up in the moment for me. It shows up later, when my brain starts analyzing every detail. What they meant. What I missed. What I should’ve said. The more I replay it, the angrier I get.
People say “just let it go,” but that doesn’t work when your brain is wired to loop. It’s not about holding a grudge, it’s about needing things to make sense. My body reacts like the argument is still happening, even though it’s long over.
What helps a little is naming it for what it is: rumination. Writing it out. Talking to people who understand autism and don’t tell me I’m overreacting.
Sometimes just knowing that helps break the loop.