4 ms·

Being interested in science does not mean you have Aspergers. Neither does not having certain interests like sports or clubbing. Only a minority go to clubs any

by olavk 9y ago

Being interested in science does not mean you have Aspergers. Neither does not having certain interests like sports or clubbing. Only a minority go to clubs anyway, so I don't even see why they are the "normal"? (I'm not disputing your self-diagnosis here, just pointing out choice of hobbies have nothing to do with it.)

bluetomcat 9y ago
I have never been formally diagnosed because autism is still not a thing in Eastern Europe, but the following self-assessment leads me to believe I am: 1. Constant fear of losing my belongings like keys, which leads me to check what's in my pocket every minute or two while I'm walking. 2. Overly obsessive about following a particular "ritual" for everyday stuff like washing my car or cleaning the house. Every small spot needs to be covered every time, even if it was previously clean. Otherwise I feel uneasy for completely irrational reasons. 3. Great confusion and anxiety when things in my job or everyday life cannot be done according to my carefully crafted plan.
- mercer 9y ago
  It's possible you're on the spectrum. I'd say whatever the case, some form of meditation/mindfulness might help with some of those issues. It helped me a lot.
- itsameta4 9y ago
  Your first two symptoms are literally the textbook definition of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive%E2%80%93compulsive_disorder https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive%E2%80%93compulsive_d... Number 3 may be as well; I'm not that familiar with OCD.
  - mercer 9y ago
    OCD and ADD are often nice little extras for people on the spectrum, unfortunately.
- reallymental 9y ago
  Hey, I'm not here to pass any judgement. I recognise your symptoms as Obsessively Compulsive. I'm one of those people who has to hide his symptoms from everyone all the time and disguise them as "oops I think I dropped my keys, I need to go in an out of this doorway 12 times whilst checking it". I waste at least an hour of my life in my OCD rituals, and I'm all too aware of how I come across, to other people as well. Your love for quantum mechanics might just be that, your love for QM.
- TomK32 9y ago
  That sounds more like OCD. You don't observe anything like sensoric hypersensitivity? or looking at peoples lips, not the eyes, when they talk? or somewhat lack of empathy and emotions? or a strong sense for justice?
  - bluetomcat 9y ago
    Apart from communicating with very close friends and relatives, social interaction can be quite difficult and exhausting, to the point where I self-analyse what I have previously said, and how weirdly people may have received it. Only alcohol makes me more "social" to strangers. Strong sense for justice, yes.
- cacrawford 9y ago
  I find it pretty common for people to tell me I'm not on the spectrum when I reveal it, as if in 5 minutes they have a better handle on me than I do. It's helped me understand just how annoying "mansplaining" can be (even when it's done by a woman.)
  - dwild 9y ago
    > I have never been formally diagnosed That's important though... you can feel like you have something but actually have something pretty different. I understand that it must be pretty annoying for you if you are actually diagnosed but sadly, believing an internet diagnostic is too often a pretty bad decision.
    - TomK32 9y ago
      it depends on the experience of the diagnostican then, and all they can work with is what you are willing and able to tell them, no?
  - rmah 9y ago
    What I don't understand is why it matters if people believe you or not. Could you provide some insight?
    - TomK32 9y ago
      no OP here, but it matters. for example, in a relationship there's guaranteed to be problems, something observed with aspies is that they are less romantic once a set goal has been reached (sounds weird, I know). if your partner does not belief or accept you, then it turns into hell, at least for me. frustrations on both sides because expectations are not met, communication problems, that not-looking-into-eyes bug, all of that could be lessened with some understanding.
Diederich 9y ago
I think the main point is: '[clubbing is] utterly foreign to me'
- olavk 9y ago
  That doesn't mean you have Aspergers.

by olavk 9y ago

bluetomcat 9y ago

I have never been formally diagnosed because autism is still not a thing in Eastern Europe, but the following self-assessment leads me to believe I am: 1. Constant fear of losing my belongings like keys, which leads me to check what's in my pocket every minute or two while I'm walking. 2. Overly obsessive about following a particular "ritual" for everyday stuff like washing my car or cleaning the house. Every small spot needs to be covered every time, even if it was previously clean. Otherwise I feel uneasy for completely irrational reasons. 3. Great confusion and anxiety when things in my job or everyday life cannot be done according to my carefully crafted plan.

mercer 9y ago
It's possible you're on the spectrum. I'd say whatever the case, some form of meditation/mindfulness might help with some of those issues. It helped me a lot.
itsameta4 9y ago
Your first two symptoms are literally the textbook definition of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive%E2%80%93compulsive_disorder https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive%E2%80%93compulsive_d... Number 3 may be as well; I'm not that familiar with OCD.
- mercer 9y ago
  OCD and ADD are often nice little extras for people on the spectrum, unfortunately.
reallymental 9y ago
Hey, I'm not here to pass any judgement. I recognise your symptoms as Obsessively Compulsive. I'm one of those people who has to hide his symptoms from everyone all the time and disguise them as "oops I think I dropped my keys, I need to go in an out of this doorway 12 times whilst checking it". I waste at least an hour of my life in my OCD rituals, and I'm all too aware of how I come across, to other people as well. Your love for quantum mechanics might just be that, your love for QM.
TomK32 9y ago
That sounds more like OCD. You don't observe anything like sensoric hypersensitivity? or looking at peoples lips, not the eyes, when they talk? or somewhat lack of empathy and emotions? or a strong sense for justice?
- bluetomcat 9y ago
  Apart from communicating with very close friends and relatives, social interaction can be quite difficult and exhausting, to the point where I self-analyse what I have previously said, and how weirdly people may have received it. Only alcohol makes me more "social" to strangers. Strong sense for justice, yes.
cacrawford 9y ago
I find it pretty common for people to tell me I'm not on the spectrum when I reveal it, as if in 5 minutes they have a better handle on me than I do. It's helped me understand just how annoying "mansplaining" can be (even when it's done by a woman.)
- dwild 9y ago
  > I have never been formally diagnosed That's important though... you can feel like you have something but actually have something pretty different. I understand that it must be pretty annoying for you if you are actually diagnosed but sadly, believing an internet diagnostic is too often a pretty bad decision.
  - TomK32 9y ago
    it depends on the experience of the diagnostican then, and all they can work with is what you are willing and able to tell them, no?
- rmah 9y ago
  What I don't understand is why it matters if people believe you or not. Could you provide some insight?
  - TomK32 9y ago
    no OP here, but it matters. for example, in a relationship there's guaranteed to be problems, something observed with aspies is that they are less romantic once a set goal has been reached (sounds weird, I know). if your partner does not belief or accept you, then it turns into hell, at least for me. frustrations on both sides because expectations are not met, communication problems, that not-looking-into-eyes bug, all of that could be lessened with some understanding.

Diederich 9y ago

I think the main point is: '[clubbing is] utterly foreign to me'

olavk 9y ago
That doesn't mean you have Aspergers.