How can I find an Autistic Obsession/Special Interest?

Post Reply New Topic

I want to know because I am having trouble finding one?

You might not have that trait then... one doesn’t really find an obsession or rather obsessions - it finds you and then it becomes an addiction.

I actually do have that trait I really obsess on things.

So true. I couldn't agree more.

When I was just a bit younger than his age of 14, I was enthralled by Porsches. The father of the best friend I lived next to was a car salesman. I went on a vacation with my friend and his parents and while on the trip, his dad stopped into a dealership and said he'd be right back while we waited in the car. He came back with a whole bunch of high quality sales booklets of all the Porsche models new that year. It was one of the best and most thoughtful gifts I can remember. I poured over those booklets over and over and over and memorized every detail of each Porsche model. Then, I saved my money and bought books about Porsches from the bookstore and poured over every detail in the books. I was obsessed.

I've had numerous obsessions over specific interests related to different things through the years. I learned to be careful of the hunger I feel when I have the urge to dive into something new since I have a family, responsibilities and obligations I didn't have when I was a boy. Such obsessions at my age can be expensive depending on what they are and can very easily strain relationships...

Then those things would be your special interest. For NTs it’s hobbies, for us it’s special interests because we take it a step further than they do.

Theese things usually come by themselves, as someone here already mentionned. It might also be possible that you have „grown out“ of it.

It happened to me. I‘m still heavily interested in one topic of the time. (sometimes two or three) But its alot shorter and the obsession is alot flater than it used to be. For example I really liked maps and mountains as a child. I talked mainly about this for years. My relatives were a little bit annoyed

But now its different, sometimes I can still obsess about something for weeks. My recent interests were autism, psychopathy, clouds and Star Citizen. Regarding the clouds for example, it did only last for about two hours.

I would say you do have autistic special interests and obsessions, like with music, video games, autism, and history. If you are looking for a new one, I think you will eventually be able to find one because you have the trait of obsessing over certain things.

I think the way to develop an interest is to find something that appeals to you and then start doing research on it. A while ago, my husband started keeping tropical fish. I noticed that every time we went to the fish shop for supplies, I liked looking at the fancy Goldfish. I bought a little book about them, loved the pictures, and then started looking things up on the internet. When my husband upgraded to a bigger tank, I got his old tank for my two Goldfish. I love them so much, they are beautiful and soothing and friendly.

I usually bounce from one new special interest to another. But I just realized it's been awhile since I had one.

Just try different things and if you end up loving something, the special interest part will take care of itself. If you don't love the thing, try a new thing.