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Sparrowrose
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09 Dec 2010, 8:29 pm

markko wrote:
I'm not sure if this is an AS trait, but I LOVE to immerse myself in tiring work and then work straight through until it's done. No breaks, no food. However, once the job is done, I equally immerse myself, with a huge satisfying sigh, into relaxation and crash until I'm recharged.


I can do that if it's work that doesn't involve other people or sensory triggers. For example, I used to spend all morning digging slit trenches at campsites. People left me alone and were even grateful because no one else wanted the job. I'd push right through all morning and afternoon and singlehandedly provide the entire site with their day's sanitation (four slit trenches, six foot deep, and filling up the day before's slit trenches because there were enough people on site that they went through four trenches per day.)

I found it great fun and it was a wonderful break from all the people. I really loved biting into the earth with a shovel and being in a cultural setting where I could take off my shirt to dig (I'm female) without fear of sexual harassment or legal entanglements. I probably could have happily been a shitter-digger the rest of my life. Those were great times.


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09 Dec 2010, 8:43 pm

The mind naturally likes to concentrate. Sensory 'triggers' and people are distracting... I've learned that judiciously and deliberately ignoring people and other stimulus is a great way to do tasks without flaking out. Sometimes you really can't or shouldn't ignore stimuli, but often they aren't anything you need to worry about, and if people get upset, you just apologise and tell them you were so absorbed in your work.


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09 Dec 2010, 8:48 pm

clumsybee wrote:
I have fibromyalgia and CFS along with Asperger's, and I'm tired a lot. I deal with really bad post-exertional malaise that makes me very wary to do something tiring I might not enjoy enough to make the effort worth it. But I think that's more a product of the fibro/CFS rather than AS.
I have CFS and fibromyalgia as well. I can relate exactly to what you are saying.

I also wonder if there's a connection between AS and developing chronic fatigue, since everything is so much harder with AS. Most people with CFS seem to say it started up for them suddenly, sometimes after an illness, but for me it started very gradually and has always progressed gradually, getting worse over the years. I wonder if that is somehow a different source of the chronic fatigue, if the constant stress of dealing with AS could have been at least a factor in bringing it on.



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09 Dec 2010, 11:30 pm

My inattentive ADHD symptoms makes me very fatigued, very mind slow. Just thinking about them makes me want to go to sleep.


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09 Dec 2010, 11:53 pm

I am easily fatigued. I almost think fatigued is my natural state, but that seems like a cop-out. I probably just need more exercise and am perhaps not getting an adequate amount of some vitamin or mineral or other. I think maybe I'll adjust my diet to be a little more deliberate.


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10 Dec 2010, 2:47 am

Moog wrote:
I've learned that judiciously and deliberately ignoring people and other stimulus is a great way to do tasks without flaking out. Sometimes you really can't or shouldn't ignore stimuli, but often they aren't anything you need to worry about, and if people get upset, you just apologise and tell them you were so absorbed in your work.


Unfortunately, in my experience, people do awful things when you start tuning them out. The last time I tried wearing an ipod shuffle and tuning the people in the grocery store out, a parent allowed their child to ram me full force in the small of the back with a shopping cart, pinning me in a freezer compartment.

Being around humans requires constant vigilance. They are unpredictable and vicious creatures.


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Moog
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10 Dec 2010, 6:47 am

Sparrowrose wrote:
Moog wrote:
I've learned that judiciously and deliberately ignoring people and other stimulus is a great way to do tasks without flaking out. Sometimes you really can't or shouldn't ignore stimuli, but often they aren't anything you need to worry about, and if people get upset, you just apologise and tell them you were so absorbed in your work.


Unfortunately, in my experience, people do awful things when you start tuning them out. The last time I tried wearing an ipod shuffle and tuning the people in the grocery store out, a parent allowed their child to ram me full force in the small of the back with a shopping cart, pinning me in a freezer compartment.

Being around humans requires constant vigilance. They are unpredictable and vicious creatures.


Wow, that's terrible. I'm sorry to hear that. For some reason, I only attract civilized behavior from humans, at least nowadays.


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10 Dec 2010, 7:05 am

Sparrowrose wrote:
Being around humans requires constant vigilance. They are unpredictable and vicious creatures.


You sound like that deep part of my brain given voice (or fingers, computer, and internet connection, as the case may be). I'm sorry.


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Sparrowrose
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10 Dec 2010, 6:21 pm

Moog wrote:
Wow, that's terrible. I'm sorry to hear that. For some reason, I only attract civilized behavior from humans, at least nowadays.


I've never managed to get rid of that invisible (to me) "KICK ME" sign on my back. The main difference between childhood and now is that now I have been able to meet more supportive, kind people than I had as a child (which is one of the main things that has kept me from being suicidal.) But the bullies (of all ages) are still going strong and there's still something about me that screams "I AM A TARGET! ABUSE ME FREELY!" to the general public. And I still don't know how to turn that neon sign off. I have no idea what I do or don't do that makes people want to treat me that way.


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10 Dec 2010, 8:16 pm

Sparrowrose wrote:
Moog wrote:
Wow, that's terrible. I'm sorry to hear that. For some reason, I only attract civilized behavior from humans, at least nowadays.


I've never managed to get rid of that invisible (to me) "KICK ME" sign on my back. The main difference between childhood and now is that now I have been able to meet more supportive, kind people than I had as a child (which is one of the main things that has kept me from being suicidal.) But the bullies (of all ages) are still going strong and there's still something about me that screams "I AM A TARGET! ABUSE ME FREELY!" to the general public. And I still don't know how to turn that neon sign off. I have no idea what I do or don't do that makes people want to treat me that way.


No, I don't either. Some people seem to have it, as you've noticed. I am glad you've met some supporting folk, and I do hope you do find the switch, and that you have more peace and happiness.


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amanda952
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10 Dec 2010, 8:29 pm

I'm not quite so sure if the reason for this is AS, it's probably part of the problem, but I think it might also have to do with the fact that people with AS are usually very introverted. People who are introverted, but don't have AS also get worn out by social situations.



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10 Dec 2010, 8:42 pm

amanda952 wrote:
I'm not quite so sure if the reason for this is AS, it's probably part of the problem, but I think it might also have to do with the fact that people with AS are usually very introverted. People who are introverted, but don't have AS also get worn out by social situations.


I'm not entirely convinced I'm an introvert. I think there's a very good chance that I'm an extravert who developed the defense mechanisms of hiding and of finding and enjoying solo pursuits as a reaction to a lifetime of bullying and bad interactions.


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11 Dec 2010, 5:08 am

what a great thread this was to read:) actually I'd been thinking of posting a thread something like - do you ever feel like you have absolutely no choice but to do nothing? but seems like lots of aspies do experience this but call it fatigue or sensory overload or whatever. I've been cracking up over all the stories I can relate to - not being able to keep up with the NTs, needing hours of staring at the wall time to recover from seemingly minor things, grocery trips which take all day and require a day to recover etc.

For me, while I'm studying by long distance, I find I can manage 2 days of working but then need a day of complete rest - this means I do absolutely nothing but rest - only I call it my all-day-meditation-day to make myself feel better:) I agree meditation is a great strategy for this mental fatigue because it's a way of getting relief from sensory stimulation and experiencing a much more fulfilling happiness.



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11 Dec 2010, 5:19 am

floating wrote:
do you ever feel like you have absolutely no choice but to do nothing? but seems like lots of aspies do experience this but call it fatigue or sensory overload or whatever.


That sounds a little like autistic inertia. I have that, too.


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12 Dec 2010, 7:49 am

I get tired quite easily. I only work for 6 hours a day, but it is being around people the whole time. This is really draining for me. After work I write (creatively) for about 2 hours then I am burned out. Other people I know seem to be able to do more than me.



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12 Dec 2010, 7:51 am

floating wrote:
what a great thread this was to read:) actually I'd been thinking of posting a thread something like - do you ever feel like you have absolutely no choice but to do nothing? but seems like lots of aspies do experience this but call it fatigue or sensory overload or whatever. I've been cracking up over all the stories I can relate to - not being able to keep up with the NTs, needing hours of staring at the wall time to recover from seemingly minor things, grocery trips which take all day and require a day to recover etc.


YES!! ! That is what I do every Sunday. I lock myself in my room, don't leave the house, and just watch movies all day long. I NEED to do this. If I can't have the whole of Sunday to do it my week is screwed. I mean, that I get physically sick.