Aspergers and Fatigue
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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"In the end, we decide if we're remembered for what happened to us or for what we did with it."
-- Randy K. Milholland
Avatar=WWI propaganda poster promoting victory gardens.
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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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.
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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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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"A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it."
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.
_________________
"In the end, we decide if we're remembered for what happened to us or for what we did with it."
-- Randy K. Milholland
Avatar=WWI propaganda poster promoting victory gardens.
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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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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"A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it."
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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"In the end, we decide if we're remembered for what happened to us or for what we did with it."
-- Randy K. Milholland
Avatar=WWI propaganda poster promoting victory gardens.
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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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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"In the end, we decide if we're remembered for what happened to us or for what we did with it."
-- Randy K. Milholland
Avatar=WWI propaganda poster promoting victory gardens.
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.
That sounds a little like autistic inertia. I have that, too.
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"In the end, we decide if we're remembered for what happened to us or for what we did with it."
-- Randy K. Milholland
Avatar=WWI propaganda poster promoting victory gardens.
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.
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