Depression During Periods of Time w/No Special Interest

Post Reply New Topic

I never really paid much attention to this before until a few months ago. I developed a special interest in autism, which didn't last long, then I had no other special interest for a while. I fell into a mini depression basically until I developed another interest.

I started going back in my past and I've noticed that all the times I felt pretty low were periods of time I was not actively obsessed with something. It was as if I had nothing to live for.

I'm curious...do you think having special interests is integral to an ASD person's well-being? Has anyone else experienced this before?

Yes, yes, yes!

Like Sherlock Holmes. And Leonard in "Memento", and other characters in some of my favourite stories.

Even in my very late teens and early twenties, when ( for once, for several years ) I didn't seem to have special interests as such ... it was the socialising; I was obsessed with social performance.

And when I don't have one, am losing one, haven't found a new one yet, nor succeeded in reviving an old one ... I'm miserable.

.

For the most part, I remain focused intently on my obsessions until something else comes along to draw my attention to the new one. one notable exception was (my general area of interest is invention) when an invention I was intently focused on through all of the 90's I found had been recently patented in 2002, I was devastated. It was a finished idea as early as 1991, but ever the perfectionist I sat on the idea trying to make it better.. I was so depressed that I can't even remember the 6 months that followed (I didn't go to work, I ended up spending time inpatient at a mental health facility, we lost the house and my relatives had to come get us.) It was a signifigant invention, I refuse to say which... the pain is still there. Now, I finish one and move on to the next...

When I'm depressed I don't have obsessions like normal, but I do get obsessed with feeling sad. It's weird. However I'm not depressed because I have no special interests, but have no special interests because I'm depressed.

When I don't have a special interest, I feel sad and empty inside; like a huge part of my heart and mind is unfulfilled. I drive myself mad trying to find something to fill that gap in my life. My special interests give me a sense of identity, and they artistically inspire me. Without a special interest, I feel like a nobody, because I don't have anything to attach my identity to. And I only draw things that are explicitly related to my interests, so when I don't have interests, I don't have anything to draw.

I firmly believe that having a special interest or interests contributes to overall happiness for someone with Asperger's and High Functioning Autism. Now that you got me thinking about it, I realize that alot of my "low points" in life were when I didn't really have any special interest to pursue.

There were two summers that I didn't have a special interest. 2004 and 2005. I was very depressed during those two summers. I've become obsessed with Routemasters for the purpose of having something to occupy my mind. It didn't go over too well and that and other fine things were taken over, by the UK 70s Punk Movement. I like what I call the finer things in life again, and that includes Routemasters.

This. Definitely.

Yep, I absolutely feel the same way. When I'm really down I even try to force myself into liking something a lot (like Cockney Rebel said). But that doesn't work.

I'm glad I have a project now!

Just I turned 25 age, last 12 months i had always regular periods but since three months I am experienced late periods, and also realizing some symptoms of depression. I unable to find out real cause of depression. Can discuss with doctor about my matter

Correlation doesn't prove causation. Yes, when I drop out of touch with a special interest I feel depressed. But I think it's the depression that causes the loss of interest in anything.

Usually when I do something about my depression (eat right, exercise, meditate, get outdoors) I find that I become interested in something again. When I'm depressed, there's no way I could "find" a special interest to get out of my depression.

They are linked, but I think you have the causation backwards.

Kiseki didn't say that it was a causal phenomenon. What they said, after noticing a correlation between them, was:

I suggest that neither one leads to the other, but that they are simultaneous expressions of a certain state. Depression for instance can sometimes be a symptom of change in value systems occurring after the digestion and absorption of data/info which is new to the person ... ie. it might follow on a period of intense/concentrated research/discovery ... like someone who has eaten a lot of food has to stop eating for a while until their stomach is empty again ... Perhaps I just don't like feeling full, bloated, stuffed, replete, satiated, either physically or mentally ... I do know that I prefer the feeling of hunger, yearning, craving, lightness, an empty stomach! :lol ... But unfortunately I tend to eat too often/too soon/too much ... food is wayyyy too easily available now that we are no longer hunter gatherers. :lol ... Information too maybe ... ?
.

I think te real question is wether a lack of special intrest is caused by depression or depression is caused by a lack of special intrest

I definitely feel the same way. It starts with gymnastics (my favorite thing to do and watch and buy leotards and exercise equipment) and when I go days without doing gymnastics I'm really numb and sad and angry with myself.

I feel obsessed with my own autism too, and in brief periods while I doubt myself I get really depressed. I think maybe i'm just shy oh well but then I get depressed and empty.

Writing and math are sub-special interests (I enjoy doing them but they are nothing compared to gymnastics, though I want to get good at both.) I mean, I know I am good at writing, and I am re-teaching myself all the maths. I want to be a genius and I am obsessed with the show Criminal Minds and when I don't get to watch it I am depressed....it used to be Smallville, there is always some TV show or movie (LOTR) that I get obsessed with.