# 54 - The Moment Ended. Your Autistic Mind is Still Processing. Why You Can’t “Just Let It Go.”

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The moment may be over, but your autistic mind is still processing every word, expression, and unanswered question. In Episode 54 of Quietly Autistic at Last, Dr. Allison Sucamele explores autistic perseveration, rejection sensitivity, and the emotional “hangover” that can make it so difficult to simply “let it go”—and why needing more time to process isn’t a personal failure.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States. If there is immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency services.

Research and Resource Notes

1. Lin, X., et al. (2022). Autistic traits heighten sensitivity to rejection-induced social pain that leads to psychological distress. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35976662/
2. Williams, Z. J., et al. (2021). Investigating the structure of trait rumination in autistic adults: A network analysis. Autism. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8419022/
3. Patel, S., et al. (2017). Association between anger rumination and autism symptom severity, depression symptoms, aggression, and general dysregulation in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Autism. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6070295/
4. Keenan, E. G., et al. (2018/2019). Hooked on a feeling: Repetitive cognition and internalizing symptomatology in relation to autism spectrum symptomatology. Autism. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6542291/
5. Cage, E., and Troxell-Whitman, Z. (2019). Understanding the reasons, contexts and costs of camouflaging for autistic adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6483965/
6. Bradley, L., et al. (2021). Autistic adults’ experiences of camouflaging and its perceived impact on mental health. Autism in Adulthood. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8992917/
7. Perry, E., Mandy, W., Hull, L., and Cage, E. (2022). Understanding camouflaging as a response to autism-related stigma: A social identity theory approach. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8813820/
8. Scheeren, A. M., et al. (2025). Masking, social context and perceived stress in autistic adults: An ecological momentary assessment study. Autism. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12618727/
9. Mitchell, P., Sheppard, E., and Cassidy, S. (2021). Autism and the Double Empathy Problem: Implications for development and mental health. British Journal of Developmental Psychology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33393101/
10. 10.Cai, R. Y., et al. (2023). The inter-relationship of emotion regulation, self-compassion, and mental health in autistic adults. Autism in Adulthood. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10468559/
11. 11.Spek, A. A., van Ham, N. C., and Nyklíček, I. (2013). Mindfulness-based therapy in adults with an autism spectrum disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Research in Developmental Disabilities. Related discussion: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8362926/
12. 12.Eisenberger, N. I., Lieberman, M. D., and Williams, K. D. (2003). Does rejection hurt? An fMRI study of social exclusion. Science. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14551436/
13. 13.Woo, C. W., et al. (2014). Separate neural representations for physical pain and social rejection. Nature Communications. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4285151/
14. 14.Autistic Self Advocacy Network. Resource Library. https://autisticadvocacy.org/resources/
15. 15.988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org/