Aspergers Reality Hidden

[Aet1985]

I have been very worried on how I have been feeling, is Aspergers actually an illness, or neurologically and body systems we are sensitive? I ask because at times I don't feel ''equipped'' for the ''NT Reality''. I can get anxiety attacks randomly, feel fatigued, confused, and or not on the same page as NT's Men. I can't ''push myself'' for very long periods, such as years ago I worked at Burger King, and between the pace and management screaming, I was getting IBS. I am trying to get my life together, talking with a woman at the moment, and see what happens. I don't know if we age quicker, at 39 I feel a lot older, from years of stress, anxiety and OCD.

 

[Ghostinthemachine]

I get tired quickly but usually due to too much peopling (over social stimulation) and then I edge towards a shutdown so I hsve to balance it but I only feel physically unwell in shut down phases it makes me feel sick

 

[TBRS1]

For me, the easiest way of understanding it is to understand that the "mind" is the result of complicated interactions between body parts (primarily parts of the central nervous system).

Complicated interactions can interact in a whole variety of ways, depending on the initial conditions.

In people who are autistic, the initial conditions (brain formation and brain chemistry) differ from average enough in predictable ways that they form a definable cluster that can be fit into a box labeled "autistic."

 

[maleonolo]

I have been very worried on how I have been feeling, is Aspergers actually an illness, or neurologically and body systems we are sensitive? I ask because at times I don't feel ''equipped'' for the ''NT Reality''. I can get anxiety attacks randomly, feel fatigued, confused, and or not on the same page as NT's Men. I can't ''push myself'' for very long periods, such as years ago I worked at Burger King, and between the pace and management screaming, I was getting IBS. I am trying to get my life together, talking with a woman at the moment, and see what happens. I don't know if we age quicker, at 39 I feel a lot older, from years of stress, anxiety and OCD.

It is a disorder yes. Those with milder autism might be able to mask and function well. But it is still a disorder which at its worse could render one nonverbal and unable to ever live without 24/7 support. So it's a bit perplexing sometimes when people claim that it's a superpower. I've read some perplexing theories that claim autistic people are superhuman and even the next stage of human evolution. They'd probably not say that if they were Level 3

 

[Neonatal RRT]

I have been very worried on how I have been feeling, is Aspergers actually an illness, or neurologically and body systems we are sensitive?

Not an illness. A biological (neuroanatomical/neurophysiological) difference.

I ask because at times I don't feel ''equipped'' for the ''NT Reality''.

...because of this difference. We are not "them". When I say that, I have to remind myself that this is not coming from a perspective of animosity, but rather self-acceptance. We walk in the same physical world as neurotypicals, but we internalize it different than they do.

I can get anxiety attacks randomly, feel fatigued, confused, and or not on the same page as NT's Men. I can't ''push myself'' for very long periods, such as years ago I worked at Burger King, and between the pace and management screaming, I was getting IBS.

Yes. Very real manifestations of this physiologic stress. These can be real physical health issues, especially over the long-term. Sleep, diet, exercise, supplements, medications, personal connection...all of these things fall under the umbrella of managing our condition. It's a learning process.

I am trying to get my life together, talking with a woman at the moment, and see what happens.

Excellent. Do address communication styles early in the relationship. Do address your individual "love languages". Sometimes we struggle with articulation of "meaning" with verbal and written language...such a low bandwidth and quite limiting. I struggle with it daily.

I don't know if we age quicker, at 39 I feel a lot older, from years of stress, anxiety and OCD.

In some ways...physically, I might agree...especially if there are long-term/chronic health issues developing associated with oxidative damage, chronic stress hormone release, so on and so forth. On the other hand, I think there can be some social, emotional, communication, and professional development delays because of our condition.

 

[Ken]

My greatest issue is social anxiety. I can't take much. For me, it is crippling. And yes, too much of it can induce enough anxiety to make me sick. However, if I am left alone, I'm fine. I guess that is fine in my view, but if I'm alone, my view is all that counts.

Therefore, I cannot have a job that involves social interaction. That can be a huge problem, but I was lucky to find a job that did not require social interaction. Resulted in a very fulfilling career.

I can handle a few minutes at a time, like to buy groceries, supplies, etc. or even to consult with coworker, etc. But an hour is a killer.

Earlier jobs that required meeting and working with other people were all total disasters. Finally learned that and searched for a job where I could work alone. Then and ever since, I was totally fine.

Regardless of ASD or not or any life situation, It is important to find a job that fits you. If it stresses you out, makes you tired or anything like that, if you don't come home each day after work happy and smiling; it's not a good fit.