I have a friend who was hard of hearing growing up, and even though she has had corrective surgery...she still suffers from low self-esteem. She told me that she has always wanted to be someone else, and wanted people to like her. She was teased a lot because of her disability in school, and didn’t have a whole lot of friends. She told me that since that 1st grade she would get these attachments to other girls who she wanted to be like, or be friends with, and just admired for some reason. Not in a romantic way! She said these attachments would last for years sometimes. She doesn’t follow them around, or even talk about them that much, but she thinks about that person a lot...especially when she's bored, around them, or in the time before she goes to bed. She might turn a conversation to a topic about the person or something the person likes. She can’t stop but thinks about these people often. She also said that she's always liked the idea of being in a big family, but her family is rather small and she doesn’t get to extended family very often. So she fantasizes about all her extended family getting together, and makes up scenarios in her head about them. She said she mainly does this in the time before she goes to sleep, or bored. She tries to find out information about these people via Facebook, but about it. She also get attached to certain characters from TV shows and movies, and will make up scenarios with these characters in it, or will imagine what life would be like if she was in the plot line, or had to deal with certain issues problems. She tend to obsess over a topics related to health because she’s always worried about it. She has a little bit a sound issues, but this only occurred after she had ear surgery. She is really good at remembering birthday’s once she sees it or hear it, even of people she hasn’t seen in a while. She will sometimes listen to the same song over and over for a while, and play the same computer game for a while, but this doesn’t interfere with her life…she can stop play games and listening to music without trouble. She only seems to do that when she’s bored and by herself. She is an introvert, so she needs her alone time, but will never give up an opportunity to hang out with friends. She suffers from OCD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but she has good people skills even though she is shy. Once you get to know her you can talk to her about anything and vice versa. She is a very understanding person. She didn’t have OCD or anxiety disorder till she was older, and she worries a lot about her health. She grew up in a difficult family and that's where I think a lot of her anxiety comes from. She sometimes avoids social situation out of fear of being judged by others, or if she doesn’t know the people very well. Other times she seems very outgoing to strangers, and seems very at ease. She pretty laid back when she isn’t worried about something, and doesn’t get mad all the often. Changes in routine don’t seem to bother her. She has several close friends, and a wide circle of acquaintances to whom she speaks to often. Teachers love her because she never causes any trouble. She always gets jokes, and has a great sense of humor. She doesn’t have a problem with eye contact, even when she is nervous. I don't think she has Asperger's, but she is worried about it.....so I would like to hear from those who have Asperger's if you think she does or doesn’t! Thanks!
Sorry for rambling, but I tried to include everything she told me about.
She scored 18 on AQ, 14 on SQ, and 57 on EQ, and very likely neurotypical on aspie test, but still can't help but worry!
15 Oct 2012, 4:06 pm
