Do obsessive interests cause social isolation?

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Or does social isolation cause obsessive interests? This is kinda like a "which came first: the chicken or the egg?" type of question, but it's something that I've been thinking about recently.

I think they do. When other kids realize that you'd rather spend time reading the encyclopedia, or mapping out the solar system, or whatever it is you're currently obsessed with, they begin to treat you differently... And the same thing applies to adult life, but to a lesser degree, because adults are more hypocriti...I mean, civilized.

Right now I’m skipping going out to dinner with my family to stay and type poetry on the computer.

Yes obsessive interest does cause social isolation

Double post.....again....

It happens with me sometimes, but I don't consider myself isolated.

Tim

I find that my obsessions cause me to be isolated from some people. However, that motivates me to seek out people who are not suspicious about my Un-Canadian love for the Routemasters that's as strong as the average Canadian's love for Hockey.

It doesn't always isolate someone, it depends if the person isolates them self by being to involved with something for a long period of time.

I think obsessive interests would exist whether or not the aspie was socially isolated. Being alone can't create an obsessive interest in anything. An NT who was socially isolated - I'm guessing here - might develop a lot of interests. But you wouldn't catch an NT researching Henry II of England because it's the most fascinating topic there is. (That's mine. )

You know who defined "obsessive interests" don't you? NT's, of course. From my viewpoint, my interests are normal and the interests of NT's are flighty, flimsy, wishy-washy.

dont forget "boring" too!

I think the answer is Yes.

Right now, I'm posting this while my siblings are eating a delicious boilde bannana with cream.

And I frequently get absorbed by my special interest, I can pass thw whole day on internet, investigating about topics I love, and I forget I have to eat and sleep.

I think through art and other forms of expression we can share just as much as many share socially

I think through art and other forms of expression we can share just as much as many share socially


I may obsess with sound, or with certain knowledge puruits, but my friends know I'll always listen, and know I'm always available, they also know I'm happy on my own and have no "need" in the way they do, when I'm honest with myself a lot of people I've met actually enjoy the idea of sharing something different to the usual social "claptrap".

I once stayed up until four in the morning typing up my story, which is my obsession. What's worse was that it was a school night! I finally stopped because I experienced writer's block.

When I was going through a period where I was trying to be more social...I would get constant intrusive thoughts about how much more I would rather be at home reading a book or watching "the Kids in the Hall",while working on an art project....It realy made me miserable to try and be some thing I am not.I became much less depressed and stressed when I allowed myself to just....be.