Are my kinds of tantrums related to Asperger
I have always assume that when I tantrum it is because of my Asperger. But I have recently read some posts where aspies indicated that their tantrums usually have to do with sensory overload. In my case, sensory overload (or any other kind of overload) is not an issue at all. I simply tantrum because I "can't get my way". In fact, "overload" doesn't make anything worse for me. On the contrary, I am usually in a good mood when I have an apportunity to do something new, and would be quite unlikely to tantrum. I normally tantrum when I am in the old tired environment in which I face second status due to my Asperger on a daily basis. That is another thing that makes me think the nature of my tantrums is different from most aspie's.
Now, NT-s also have such "tantrums" at the age of 5 when they can't get their way. So, since Asperger has to do with uneven development, I was assuming that being "like 5 year old NT" also implies "doing something becuase of asperger". But then again, when I read other aspies describing meltdowns, none of them sound like "5 year old NT-s". They all talk "in adult fashion" about "sensory overload". In my case, I would talk in a "child fashion" about something non-sensory and all psychological. So do you think my meltdowns are due to Asperger or not?
NOTE: I am not questioning my diagnosis. I know I have Asperger based on OTHER issues, such as inability to initiate or exit conversation, inability to make friends, having obsessions, and so forth. My ONLY question is whether or not my "meltdowns" should be listed as part of Asperger, or not.
ANOTHER NOTE: There is indirect relation between my meltdowns and Asperger -- namely I usually have a meltdown over the issues that are related to my "being pissed at NT-s treating me differently due to my Asperger". But the question is: is it ALL a "reaction to NT-s" or is part of it my own aspieness? Would NT, placed into my situation (say, all NT-s conspired to treat him as aspie) develop similar meltdowns?
I used to be really bad about tantrums because I was frustrated when things weren't going my way. People think it's due to being spoiled, but my tantrums went beyond that. I can't explain it. In my case, they were a developmental issue. I did out grow them but it took longer to get out of that phase than it does others. In fact, they were at their worst when I was in school and around my mom. I hardly ever have them anymore. I don't know why they were so prevalent under certain circumstances. Maybe it was because of stress? I was channeling my response to overall stress into that particular thing, throwing a tantrum, even if it didn't matter to me if I got my way or not. It was just something to channel the frustration and stress into, without articulating the real reason I was upset. At times, I did articulate what was really bothering me, which was an intense dislike of my overall situation, dealing with the stress of being around people everyday, dealing with the demands of my mom. Many of my tantrums were due to frustration at feeling powerless to change my situation to my liking. My dream was to move away and find a good job which was difficult for me to do. Once, I did move away but I didn't think of things I needed like furniture, so I was stuck in an apartment with no couch or anything. All I had was a radio. I was thousands of miles from home so I toughed it out a few months. I found a boring job but had my hours cut, eventually. Finally, I left due to not having any furniture, mostly. These little things tend to floor me. I don't consider them before I move.
I had tantrums for different reasons. To me, they were exaggerated responses to situations that were not in sync with the situation. They took it to the next level and could last hours, leaving me exhausted so I would immediately go to sleep.
I have meltdowns that aren't related to sensory overload either. Then are sometimes related to me not getting my way. If I don't want to go to class and someone says "Well, sorry, but you need to go" I will have a meltdown, but if they said "(insert my name here), we need to go to class now, we can do what you want after". I probably won't have a meltdown. So it's more that "aggressiveness" causes meltdowns rather than the fact that I am not getting my way. Also, rude and mean people. People giving with unwanted advice is a problem as well. People ordering me around is another one.
I think they are probably AS related in my case.
_________________
-Allie
Canadian, young adult, student demisexual-heteroromantic, cisgender female, autistic
Similar Topics | |
---|---|
Asperger Experts |
22 Nov 2024, 9:42 pm |
Abused Because of Asperger's? |
22 Nov 2024, 9:30 pm |
how can i handle my asperger boyfriend's anger? |
12 Nov 2024, 12:13 pm |