Allistic special interests?

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I'm curious, would you say that the term "special interest" only applies to autistic individuals? When does an interest go from being just an interest, to a special interest? If an allistic (not autistic) individual were to obsess over something to a significant degree (possibly to the point of it negatively affecting their life) and it wasn't caused by anxiety or similar issues, would you consider it a special interest?

Personally, I definitely have had strong interests (and still do) in my life that have stuck with me for a long time. They've never negatively affected my life, so that's good. But...if you were to ask people if I was obsessed, they'd probably say yes. I have got carried away before, and dumped too much information on others.

Thoughts?

Did a post disappear ?

I deleted mine. Wasn't sure it was relevant.

I said something alomg the lines... Have had many obsessions, they rotate, I waste thousanda of pounds/dollars on short term obsessions. As I get older I become more wary and try to steer myself towards inexpensive obsessions like reading encyclopaedias and science books.

I think NTs have interests but rarely obsessions. Even if they do have an obsession they probably don't share it with others a lot. We probably over share in NTs' eyes. Also we want every detail, and recount details too, which NTs might perceive as not fun conversation. They might overestimate how obsessive we are and fail to realise we often talk about obsessions also because we are not good at small talk, not just because we have obsessive interests.

Thanks for confirming that I didn't imagine it , it doesn't take much for to think I'm losing my mind.

It's an interesting thread as I have no idea if my interests are 'ASD special interests' or just a I'm a bit obsessional about the things I like. The only thing I overshare is my current obsession with ASD but only with my GF and you lot , I'm sure it gets really boring for her but she only has herself to blame for suggesting I might have it

Probably sports and celebrities.

I have interests that are very common (cats/animals) and interests that are unique to me (my interest in Denis Istomin).