Why do we get lost in our own worlds so often?

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Then I guess we had the same ideas, just different ways of expressing them

Found in my own world topic

I am just glad i have an alternative universe I can get to--fast, when things get out of hand.

sucka sucka sucka sucka. I take being in my own world to mean, also, I see what I see and have to fight desperately to see anything else, even if I need to see it. sucka sucka sucka I hate this part of me. Because of this, I can barely make friends. If I make any at all. Then every interaction is also very difficult and almost traumatizing, later when I think about it. Put a fork in me, I am done.

I'm always "lost in my own world".

The other night I was outside on my swingset, it was like 3 am but I have over head lights so the whole backyard is illuminated. Anyway, I was thinking so much I ran into a tree and a branch scratched up my face.

I've always had the whole 'fascination with parts of objects', I suppose. In school if I couldn't get started on my work I would just go into my little world and for hours I would be staring, twirling, disassembling, etc a mechanical pencil or germ x bottle, etc.

being in our own world is "safe"

I'd go with the our-inner-worlds-are-more-interesting-than-the-real-one answer.

Although in retrospect, not being diagnosed until well into adulthood, I know as I'd make up fantasy worlds which parallel this one (only I'm a superhero space alien rock star), I'd use those worlds to do a lot of practicing on my social skills. "The next time someone asks me X, I'll have prepared comeback Y, which I've now practiced."

Except, taking care in the real world not to answer in the persona of superhero space alien rock star.


- Jo

I just thought this was the main definition of the word "autism"? "Auto" means self, which comes from the Greek word- (autos, if I am remembering correctly). So the term "autism" is used to describe a group of people who are more inner/self directed than others who may be more outer/other directed (or socially oriented). So these inner worlds, as far as I´m understanding it, are part of the neurological difference. There probably is no other rational explanation.

Do you really get "lost" in your inner world? Gee, I can find my way around better there than I do here...heh, heh.

An NT characteristic is that they always seem to have to look outside themselves for stimulation. Not all, but a lot, become very bored when left on their own or with nobody to talk to because their brain can't entertain itself.

If people see me sitting on my own, they insist on coming over and trying to start a conversation because they assume I must be bored for the reason that they would be if they were in my position - while the truth is that there's so much going on in my head that they're usually an annoying distraction. I feel like trying to describe it to them in a way they would understand by saying, "Imagine that you and Person A are sitting together trying to have an in-depth discussion about a very interesting topic, but Person B keeps cutting you both off in mid-sentence and butting in to make inane comments about the reality TV show they watched last night. You are being Person B."

Whenever I get lost in my own world and totally absorbed in something endlessly fascinating to me, it's like time doesn't exist. Whenever I study whatever I am interested in, I get this feeling of comfort, like, when people eat macaroni and cheese. Studying is my comfort food.

On a side note: Have you ever tried explaining this to an NT? I would like tips on how to make my husband understand that it's not really a choice on my part.

I believe it is simply to escape. I believe that classicly autistic ppl are more overloaded by the world and so they feel, however sub-consciously, like they have to escape, somewhat permanently.

I'm often accused of being in a world of my own, sitting there "spaced out" or with a gormless look on my face. Sometimes it is voluntary sometimes it just happens. I tend to live my life in my mind not through my body or physical existence.