In laws staying over (anxiety)

Has anyone had this experience? Is it normal to feel extremely anxious and not want to come straight home after work?

Hi SubaCine.

Normal for who?

Let me first say that I'm waiting for an assessment for ASD.

I feel very anxious when the in laws come to stay and have not wanted to come straight home after work in the past. They're nice people, but it doesn't stop the anxiety.

Is it them as people, or the fact that you'll end up worn out from the disruption and having to socialise?

I am also undiagnosed, but certain I'm on the spectrum. Good to know I'm not the only one who feels this way. Same thing here, I love them, they are nice people, I consider them very close family, but I feel as though I have no "social escape", and with in-laws it's even a more social pressure because you have to make sure you're sharp and polite and never miss a social cue or come across as rude. But for some reason I only 20% of the anxiety when I'm at their house and 100% of it when they're at our house.

I know exactly what you mean about being sharp, polite and not missing any social clues. How long are they staying for?

They only live an hour away but sometimes they come and stay for a weekend, sometimes not planned until the day of. My wife offers up our room/bed to them. She is a very sweet, caring woman, and is very close to her family, and I love that about her. I personally just feel the need to escape that environment when it happens, not because I have anything against her family, but it becomes super overwhelming.

I really do understand. Not knowing they're coming until the day of their visit sounds very stressful. Do you have some strategies/excuses for some time out if you need it and does your wife understand?