Introspective Deficit

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It is normal for people with autism to have difficulty reading the emotions of others, but I seem to have difficulty with my own emotions. Like when I was in highschool, I sometimes had to give speeches. I would think that I was ok, but when I got to my seat again a friend would tell me that I was shaking violently through the whole thing. Sometimes I'll be someplace and I'll be all "Hm. Why on earth are my palms sweaty and my heart racing? Oh, I'm experiencing anxiety. Of course. " This is consistent with some theories of autism. Anyone else?

That reminds me of when i was 12 and experienced my first crush. i went home after the first day of 7th grade and thought, "hmm. why was i staring at that boy all day long? I don't know him at all. But I want to know everything about him. Oh! This must be a crush! YES! I am finally like every other girl!"

It was very analytical, like your experience. So yes, I think it is consistent with autism.

Not being in touch with one's own emotions is perfectly normal for those of us on autism spectrum.

I definitely have a hard time reading the emotions of others. In fact, I used to believe that I can read other people's emotions without a problem which shows just how wrong I was.

As for myself, I am probably even farther from understanding my own emotions.
I don't think I would have problems like what twoshots and ooohprettycolors have but I have a hard time with events that usually draws out more emotions from people.

For instance, I don't know what I'm feeling or if feeling anything at all when someone dies. I was also like this for my whole life so it's not some mental damage from bad experiences.

Yes and also emotional blunting. After years of anxiety I sort of don't always notice it, but it does affect me. The last could of time my doctor has taken my pulse she has mentioned it is alittle high to start with, but I don't feel anxious when I'm around her.

Ive had anxiety for a long time, 10 years or more and didn't know it and never thought anything of it when anixety was occuring. I would get sweaty palms, my leg would shake really bad etc. It wasn't until i replied to another post on WP about my leg shaking uncontrollably in public situations that i found out its anxiety. Another memeber told me it was most likely due to anxiety and i then read up on anxiety.

Difficult to say. For the most part, I feel like I'm prety au fait with my own emotions, and probably always have been. I know what I'm feeling, why I'm feeling it, etc. But I suspect I tend toward extremes. At the same time, while I've been working on my OCD, part of that experience has been being aware of how I'm feeling at any given time. I've certainly noticed that in the case of anxiety especially, I'll have the physical response (heart rate increase, shakes, cold sweat, jitters) without any conscious experience of the emotion. Now, I know that sometimes I'm anxious, and I know it. So why in some contexts I can be having the relevant physical response without the conscious experience of the emotion, I don't know. Maybe when there's a focus on something else, I don't notice as much? I find myself wondering whether this goes for other emotions, also, but I really don't know if that's the case or not.

Is this the same thing as alexithymia?

That was my guess.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexithymia

Even if/when I do know how I feel, I'm not sure what to do about that emotional (or sensory-perceiving) state. Aware of general advice for cognitive/rational modification, but what I've read doesn't feel relevant to me (and my illogical yet dearly-held beliefs). How I am doesn't seem fixable, for the most part-am pretty inflexible mentally & have narrow comfort zone physically. I do appreciate learning more about physiological responses (symptoms of adrenaline kicking in, for instance) so at least I know what's happening, on some level.

I saw this thread earlier, and thought it sounded nothing like me, but then this afternoon I found myself thinking, "This is strange, I feel the way I feel after I've been crying, even though I haven't been," followed by, "Oh! Stress! I must be feeling stressed." So I guess I do do this, to some extent.

For the most part, though, I have a good idea of what I'm feeling. I'm probably more self-aware than most people. But I can have a hard time connecting what I'm feeling to why I'm feeling it unless I consciously go searching for the answer.

I tend to be very aware of my own emotions, but much less aware of how they are being expressed to others. For instance, it is always painfully obvious to me when I am experiencing anxiety, but it is much less obvious to me when I am or am not wearing that anxiety on my sleeve for all to see.

I'm the same way. Sometimes I think I'm hiding my anxiety, but it turns out I'm not; sometimes I think everyone can tell I'm terrified, and it turns out I look perfectly calm. And sometimes I'm feeling perfectly fine but everyone around me thinks I'm upset

I feel that way when ever I get into a hostile confrontation. Even though I don't feel afraid or nervouse my body trembles like I am.

I'm like "What the hell body? you're making me look weak! please stop" but it doesnt listen.

I can relate to this.

You've got one up on me - I never know what the right words to put to emotions and tend to just react to things. This can lead to me standing there thinking 'why the hell did I just do that'. A couple of weeks ago it was pointed out to me that I may General Anxiety Disorder and yep, it looks like I've been going around in a continual state of anxiety without knowing it. At least now I know why I always have a headache - I thought I must have a brain tumor or something. In light of this post I have been looking back on things I've done in the past and am having some truely spectacular 'duh' moments.

people have pointed out that my upper lip sweats badly when Im nervous.

Beyond that I dont trust my own judgement enoughto say if I do or dont share what everyones saying