Theory of mind

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Damn right, and forget about listening to what others are saying unless it's about work or a topic that you think is cool.

I have very little understanding of the clinical symptoms, but just from a layman's PoV, this sounds to me like it might be ADHD. I suppose if you asked the doctor about it and he tested you for ADHD (I was given a computerized test for it), that they might be able to prescribe something pharmacological that could help you to manage it. Not that you necessarily need it, but if you wanted something to help you manage it, that might be an avenue to look into.

When I was on a foreign language exchange, I found myself talking in the language of the country we we staying in all the time, even amongst my English speaking classmates. At one point one of them said:

"Amber. We don't really don't understand what you're saying any more. Speak English! We're your friends. We speak English remember. You speak English."


At that moment a foreign exchange student replied with a rough "to English" translation:

"She is saying that she is being annoyed with you...for you speaking English to her all the time...when this is meant to be a school trip...because you are meant to be learning a new language...to pass your exams."


My English speaking classmate gasped:
"Amber relax. We are your friends. We speak English. We can relax now. You work too hard. You can talk in English now."


"Phew that's a relief," I said in English: "But I think that we should eat our lunch elsewhere. I believe that this establishment only allows food that has been purchased here to be consumed on the premises. We have packed lunches therefore I don't think we're allowed to eat our own food here: it's against the rules."


All the foreign exchange students looked baffled at my classmates and whispered: "What is Amber saying?"


My classmate looked puzzled:
"Amber pleaser speak in English. No one can understand you!"


I just couldn't "switch off". I was so into the foreign language exchange that I couldn't talk to my English speaking friends in English.

Recently I've taken more (legal) drugs than I can shake a stick at. When I become a "drugged up zombie" I've found that my memory capacity decreases. This is my personality. It's how members of my family are too, even worse than I am so why should I be the one who has to take the drugs? I know what it's like to be labeled. So no I'm not going back on drugs sorry. Thanks for the advice anyway though.

Hmmm...

I've looked up the criteria for ADHD.
I've enjoyed being active and outdoors in the past too.
I wouldn't exactly be that surprised if I was ADHD.

Here's why:

The criteria seem to describe several male members of my family in wonderful detail!

Hyperactivity, impulsively, not thinking things through, irritability, distractibility
Inability to pay attention...

That's them alright!

The going off on tangents, the divergent thinking, clowning around, pulling pranks.

I look at these criteria again and think ah, that's
"Just William", "Tom Sawyer", "staring out of the window" or the classic "naughty boy" syndrome!

I keep reading descriptions about how difficult some ADHD people are to live with. I have to live with someone like this 24-7: it's normal to me!
I therefore stupidly assumed that everyone was imaginative, impulsive and had a bizarre sense of humour. Those other ADHD folks I've heard other people describe seem mild in comparison.

To tell the truth, when I go out of the house I'm shocked at how serious and boring the rest of the world is compared to my family.

Because life would be boring without these guys.

Gosh, some of the most funny and inspired people I've ever seen have these traits. The irritation I experience from them seems minor in comparison. It's the brilliantly subversive humour that I really enjoy. It's motivating, it's laughter therapy.

So why should they all get off scot free and I have to get a diagnosis?
I'm much calmer and more self controlled than them now.

Gosh, some of them even seem oppositional defiant or have hoarding tendencies. I love them though. It's so hilarious how they question everyone and everything by launching into long political debates (rants!):lol:. Their brutual, unedited honesty is cathartically refreshing.

But the fact is folks, if we didn't have arkward, subversive blighters like them around no-one would ever question the status quo!
Nothing would ever change.
We need them.

Heck I'd rather they were all odd.
Heck I'm probably a bit odd too, but if I wasn't odd, I wouldn't have led such an interesting life!

I think having Theory of Mind is not about knowing what another is going through or wants at a specific moment. That's empathy.

ToM is about being born with a predisposition to grasp what humans are like in general lines (aka "human nature"), and be able to apply it in interactions and one's action plans.

Things like "people don't like too much truth", group-think, etc. etc.