Possible to be AS and hyper-sensitive?

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Simmyymmis
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20 Oct 2007, 11:45 am

Is it possible to be hyper-sensitive in an emotional (not just physical) sense, and still have AS?

This often confuses me, as I have many AS 'symptoms', and yet my deepest memories are of how emotionally over-sensitive I've always been: over-sensitive to what I imagine to be other people's feelings of unhappiness, displeasure or sadness (maybe happiness, I don't remember that one).

In other words, I feel as if I am emotionally intuitive/perceptive (which surely can't be AS), though I often discover that I'm *way* off-track or have amplified or misunderstood a relatively minor issue and thrown it way out of proportion.

Is this an experience anyone else has any familiarity with??



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20 Oct 2007, 11:49 am

I happen to be like that. I'll have a minor disagreement with a family member, and than I'll turn it into something big.


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Simmyymmis
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20 Oct 2007, 12:19 pm

Do you mean that you will intentionally exacerbate the argument, or do you mean that you believe the person you disagreed with is actually more upset than they really are?



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20 Oct 2007, 2:54 pm

I don't know what is and isn't possible according to text book definition, but I can certainly relate to that. And I don't think I intentionally exacerbate arguments. I am just quick to sense the underlying emotion and I tend to be outspoken about what I sense, regardless of the facade of words being used.



Cooper
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20 Oct 2007, 2:57 pm

I am emotionally oversensitive too.



aurea
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20 Oct 2007, 3:12 pm

My 8yr old is extremely over sensiyive and currently being evaluated.
So much so that people have called him a baby, or said that he is putting it on/acting and I know he is not. :?



samtoo
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20 Oct 2007, 3:51 pm

Isn't this one of the very possible traits for aspies? I believe I could be hyper emotional in some situations as well... strange though because, although I'm certainly not the kind of person who'll break down at many moments, I am definately a kind of guy who feels a lot of sorrow a lot of the time...


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Simmyymmis
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20 Oct 2007, 5:59 pm

Sapphix wrote:
I don't know what is and isn't possible according to text book definition, but I can certainly relate to that. And I don't think I intentionally exacerbate arguments. I am just quick to sense the underlying emotion and I tend to be outspoken about what I sense, regardless of the facade of words being used.


I think I understand what you mean about a 'facade', as I am also left with the impression that I have shot straight to what I sense to be the underlying emotion of the other person in such circumstances.

Sometimes this seems to create a 'mountain out of a molehill'. And yet despite this, I feel that I am considerably *more* perceptive in identifying emotions and getting right to the point than most other people.

I believe this is because of my aforementioned emotional over-sensitivity (of my own emotions), which has enabled me to analyse and interpret other people's emotional states and to envisage how they are likely to be thinking and feeling (I believe I would actually make a very good psychotherapist).

Which is where my confusion arises. Because I was under the impression that Aspies were unable to read emotional signs, poor at identifying behaviour, and emotionally insensitive.

Either this is very atypical AS behaviour, or perhaps it could mean I don't really have AS at all. I suppose it could also be more of an intellectual/analytical band-aid and/or coping mechanism that I developed as a child, particularly given my frequent over-analysis of various situations.

Either way, this confusion is why I wanted to know how common such behaviours were amongst others with AS.



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20 Oct 2007, 5:59 pm

Simmyymmis wrote:
Is it possible to be hyper-sensitive in an emotional (not just physical) sense, and still have AS?

This often confuses me, as I have many AS 'symptoms', and yet my deepest memories are of how emotionally over-sensitive I've always been: over-sensitive to what I imagine to be other people's feelings of unhappiness, displeasure or sadness (maybe happiness, I don't remember that one).

In other words, I feel as if I am emotionally intuitive/perceptive (which surely can't be AS), though I often discover that I'm *way* off-track or have amplified or misunderstood a relatively minor issue and thrown it way out of proportion.

Is this an experience anyone else has any familiarity with??

Yes. Can be oblivious (not "connecting the dots") in some areas or situations, yet also can be highly sensitive & excessively reactive. Am not only "clueless or aloof" & not only "over-identified with own or another's suffering", instead embody whole range of processes (that may function more and less well than those belonging to other people).
Things that matter to me may not be what others value-and things that are a priority to others may not be important to me. Do have same feelings as any person, in relation to idiosyncratic stimuli-different circumstances elicit my unusual responses. Admit I'm not logical-despite the stereotype of people w/AS being more rational/intellectual & less emotional-my emotions outrank my thoughts.
Am more attentive to self than to others-in part because I can only have "insider perspective" on me, that level of comprehensive familiarity & understanding isn't available with anyone else (outside of self). Even when I do get sense of what's going on psychologically, I don't know what to do about it (whether for self or for another person). Am much better at pointing out problems than coming up with solutions, alas.


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20 Oct 2007, 6:01 pm

Yes, I am acutely sensitive at times.
Partly why I avoid people.



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20 Oct 2007, 6:06 pm

I tend to be oversensitive to the stupidities of certain people.


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risingphoenix
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23 Oct 2007, 6:16 am

I'm also emotionally oversensitive and it confuses me too, because I don't get if that's just what some AS people are like, i.e. that being emotionally detached, purely logical thinking, appearing rude and insensitive etc., at least doesn't apply to every Aspie, or if being too emotionally sensitive, aware of social cues, affectionate, empathic and so on quite ironically puts one into the same or a similar position as someone with AS (even though some might argue it's like being on the very opposite end of the spectrum) because one also is different and doesn't fit in.


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23 Oct 2007, 6:35 am

Yes... I'm overly sensitive, and was much more so when younger.


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23 Oct 2007, 6:38 am

samtoo wrote:
Isn't this one of the very possible traits for aspies? I believe I could be hyper emotional in some situations as well... strange though because, although I'm certainly not the kind of person who'll break down at many moments, I am definately a kind of guy who feels a lot of sorrow a lot of the time...


I think it is. I've been doing a lot of research on this lately, and I definitely think I remember that.


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23 Oct 2007, 11:45 am

I'm emotionally over-sensitive, but I don't show it. In fact, I have problems with expressing my emotions and if I can't find a way to deal with them, I shut down.

I'm also very sensitive to other people's emotions, and I'm very good at reading people when I'm not emotionally involved. When I'm emotionally involved, I tend to over-analyze and make more of things than I should.



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23 Oct 2007, 11:54 am

i am emotionally oversensitive, but not always sensitive to others emotions..other time i am....

i am capable of knee jerk emotional reactions to things..while part of my mind does not even seem to feel what I am eacting over...and in a sense that might be why i react so strongly...

it is hard to explain...

there is nothing more frustrating than WANTING to feel something and not be able to feel it.
I have a difficult time feeling real anger...or expressing conventional grief over the loss of a loved one..stuff like that....but I can be totally prone to emotional meltdowns and little things can really set me off bad...like negative inerractions with people..etc...