Dominant thought patterns and Aspergers

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Hello again,

I notice that my mind seems to keep thinking on the same topic over and over again and sometimes it can be difficult to concentrate on other things I want or need to do because my mind can get so cluttered and is constantly thinking about a particular thing all the time, for example I might want to concentrate on doing a job or talking to someone but maintining concentration for long periods of time can be difficult due to the domineering thoughts and my mind can tend to "drift off" what I am concentrating on - does anyone else on the spectrum find that they have the same problem and is this common among those with Asperger minds?

Also another thing that I wanted to bring up is that sometimes I get the urge to throw objects in the air and catch them especially when I am thinking about a chosen topic or when I am bored - even though I seem to be OK most of the time I have occasionaly thrown up more valuable objects other than the usual ones like pens and I have ended up breaking them although that does not happen to often - is that another Aspie/autistic trait?

I also tend to get board very easily if my mind is not stimulated with intrests - another AS trait?

It will be interesting to hear your thought!

Luke

On the first paragraph, YES. My mind is endlessly caught in a loop over something, and it just keeps going around and around and around in my head.

I wouldn't say that i get urges to throw things up in the air... It's not something i feel like i just have to do.. But i have been known do it when i'm bored and holding something that i'm not too afraid of breaking. I sometimes play catch with myself with our dogs' toys, and i have done it before with the keys to the video game cases at work.

I do feel bored if i don't have anything to think about or do, but my mind usually finds something to glue itself onto.

The first one is definitely an autistic trait, but i'm not sure about the second two.

I tend to obsessively ponder over certain subjects as well. To address your second question, I often like to walk around, or fiddle with certain objects whilst pondering over subjects. Sometimes I'll be holding a pen or something and flip it in the air.

I obsess over my interests to the point where if someone's talking with me, they say I seem distracted. In a way I am, because if we're not talking about my interest, then I'm still thinking about it.

I don't toss things in the air, but it doesn't mean it couldn't be a type of stimming. When I'm concentrating on something or am anxious, I stim a lot.

I get so obsessive over things that for many years I was thought to have OCD. For example, I am an adrenaline junky and an outdoorsy person. I am constantly thinking about mountains and hikes and climbs I'm going to do and routes I'm working on and camping trips. I replay climbs I've completed in my head when I'm supposed to be doing something else, like listening to lectures, driving my car, taking a shower, etc. It's only bad when I'm talking to someone and somehow my recent obsessions spring into the convo and I end up talking them to death (if they AREN'T interested).

Anyway, about the throwing thing... I don't throw stuff, but I definitely chew. I can't drink out of a plastic cup or bottle, or drink from a straw because I'll end up chewing it... even in public. I don't know about you, but I do it without thinking. I especially hate it when I catch myself chewing on my glasses (when I wear them) at important dinners or during an important conversation.

lukemc1980,

The dominating and hyper narrow-focus on an interest or thought is something you see quite a bit with AS. I lack the energy to go into detail on this currently, however, based on what I have experienced it can seriously cause havoc. And yes, of course, it can be of use in some situations.

I have something to recommend for you as a test if possible--
When you are thinking things over and over don't fight it.
Find a spot to sit down (I suppose you could stand...) and begin writing everything you are thinking.
Keeping on writing even if it doesn't all make sense or if they are incomplete thoughts. Drawing images if that is what is streaming from the mind and keep the data flowing from mind on to the paper.


See what happens.

I often get caught into a loop, thinking about some sticky situation that I might be in, and I can't think of anything. It could happen for just a few hours, or I could be stuck for a few days.

I get locked into obsessive thoughts every day. They are usually negative thoughts about my relationship or how others see me. This creates a lot of anxiety. I also have dominant thoughts of the unknown... what if this or that? A lot of anxiety. If I'm not obsessing in a negative way I am usually thinking about something I'm locked into, like studying ASD or whatever the topic might be that day.

YES! I think this obsession helps me to discover solutions to problems - because I CAN NOT stop thinking about them. I have to solve something before I can let it go. This forces me to solve all my problems.