r/nightvale • u/Much_Snow9817 • Jul 05 '26

Discussion Autism

Anyone else here autistic and finds the podcast amazing for helping you to regulate, chill out, and just feel good again? (I have no idea what that says about me šŸ™ˆšŸ˜‚) Iā€™m not sure if Iā€™m explaining properly what I mean - but aside from it being fantastic in general, this podcast has really helped my autistic brain out and Iā€™ve no idea why!

Clearly the backpacks are NOT causing autism, they are infact, helping it!

81 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

27

u/mrmeatypop Jul 05 '26

I am autistic, and I do agree with all this. I personally think part of it is Cecilā€™s voice. Itā€™s so smooth and relaxing, despite all the horrors that persist.

19

u/Aethey_ Jul 05 '26

Not autistic, but it really helps calm my anxiety (both during panic attacks and just... y'know, the world at large, sigh)~ it's something about how things can go so wrong in the show but still end up okay (even if it's a different form of "okay") that makes the real world's horrors easier to handle. :)

8

u/Much_Snow9817 Jul 05 '26

Aw I love that! Thanks for commenting back šŸ„° and I totally get it.

12

u/liquidmirrors Jul 05 '26

Prob undiagnosed according to literally everyone in my life lol, found the podcast when I was a tween and it helped so much in regulating myself. Became a special interest/hyperfixation for years, always felt like I was ā€œgoing homeā€ whenever Iā€™d listen to an episode in the dark. Faded out as I grew into my teen years but Iā€™ll always have a special soft spot for it.

7

u/Much_Snow9817 Jul 05 '26

Thatā€™s exactly how I feel, like going home! Also with you on the hyper fixation. Only 20 eps in and already bought all three books, and pre ordered the authors upcoming psychological thriller book.

7

u/ReeveStodgers Jul 06 '26

I'm probably not but I have lots of friends and family who are. I have two theories about why this is helpful for you.

  1. Familiar media is soothing. Most people have certain shows they watch again and again. Familiarity is comforting and safe, and helps to give you space to relax.

  2. Spooky fiction is good for building resilience for spooky things in real life, or at least dealing with them. When we watch horror, or listen to a horror podcast, there is a measured amount of anxiety or fear. We are in control because we can turn it off or choose when to participate in it, unlike life, where everything is unpredictable. Welcome to Night Vale is also fun and funny, so it makes the scary things more relatable and friendly. Even when it is scary, it's also funny. I think that's a great way to deal with the world.

3

u/Much_Snow9817 Jul 06 '26

Love the theories, thanks - makes loads of sense and makes me like the podcast even more, ha.

5

u/Background_Golf3686 Jul 06 '26

Omg saaame, I actually listen to it to sleep every night and it's so soothing

5

u/ObjectiveDragonfly91 Jul 06 '26

ADHD and anxiety here. this is 100% my comfort listen podcast. it's cosy and weird but still has a predictable cadence. Also Disparition is fantastic at sound design.

2

u/Vegetable-Flamingo25 Jul 07 '26

I started listening to it for relaxation, and listened to it whenever. Eventually I noticed I was missing a lot of the stories because I would zone out. Now I listen to it when I do the dishes which gives me more headspace to actually concentrate on the show. I relistened everything and I now love it even more.

I now just listen to different talkshows, and I try going back to music for relaxation.