Being chatty one day but almost mute the next. Anyone else?

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Does anyone else change from day to day how sociable they are? If so, do you attribute it to Asperger's or Cyclothymia (I have both) or something else?

My wife has been going for physiotherapy for a few weeks now and I've been driving her there and I pass some of the time reading a book I take along to the sessions. However, spouse commented that some days I'm really chatty with the physio and hardly open my book but other times I just ignore him and bury my head in the book. Some days I just don't feel social or drawn towards communicating. Spouse says it makes me look very moody, but I'm not moody in the sense of alternating between good/bad moods - just alternating between being moderately social and so withdrawn I'm almost mute.

Anyone else the same? What do you attribute your behaviour to? Do people say you are moody?

I'm the same, yes, and with me it seems to depend on if I've already reached some indefinable inner limit of sociability, past which I feel overload and I don't seem to have any "battery juice" left to be chatty and friendly one more time to anyone.

For example, if I've had a week in which all my work clients have engaged me in extensive conversation, and there kids have been boisterous, and even the check-out cashier at several shops has had a lot to say, I'm so drained that by the time another event in which I could be chatty comes along, I have nothing left to give.

But if I haven't used up all my juice, I can be very chatty and warm and friendly. It all seems to be about a mysterious level of energy to cope that can get used up, like a limit on internet data allowance or something.


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Yeah, I'm similar to that. People do think I'm moody. Sometimes I'll just sit on my own at work, as far away from anyone else as possible.

Mind you though, there's a lot of bullying at my work, so I just tend to keep out of it.

It did take me about two months to even talk to anyone where I work anyway, so I think they just don't bother about it when I go into non talking mode.

I talk to clients on the phone but that is about it. I only really talk when I need to anyway, and even then it's an effort sometimes.

I think it is the aspergers, you know.

Me too, and I live alone, so the only people I have to speak to at home are cats. Still, some days, just opening my mouth seems like too much effort. Mother said, when I told her I suspected I had Aspergers, that they thought I was just being moody all this time.
There is a story my Nana is fond of telling and it's about how she came to collect me from nursery one time and all the kids were playing but I was standing at the window, staring out. When she spoke to me, I wouldn't say anything, just kept shrugging my shoulders; in contrast to my usual chattiness I suppose. I remember that day very well and I know that I was standing in the window because I was tired of the other kids who were wearing me out with noise and arguing and running about.

I guess it must be difficult for NTs to comprehend and accept what they must perceive as lack of consistency in our behaviour.

I think that's pretty common for all bipolars, even those who are not autistic. It's typical to be more social and bubbly when manic, and more withdrawn when depressed.

In terms of language ability though – when I'm in a depressive state, I really struggle to put words together, and I think that might be a factor of autism.

I just literally, physically cannot talk to certain people. The words just wont come out. I'm not even sure if the words are there to begin with to be honest.

Perhaps it's related to having enough "energy" to expend on being social. I know that when I'm having a good day, feel properly emotionally regulated, physically up to par, and don't feel threatened by anything in my environment (whether it's by another person or unwanted sensory input) I'm usually very humorous and chatty, and people comment on how different this is from my usual quiet, shy and withdrawn demeanor. It also helps when I'm talking with someone who shares the same special interests as me - I become positively electrified then!

However, on days when I feel emotionally fragile, anxious, and physically unwell (such as when I have a cold or headache or something) and am thrust into a situation that demands too much from me, I tend to become more withdrawn, quiet, and moody. On those days I tend to do better when I can get done what I need to get done earlier in the day and have the rest of the afternoon and evening to decompress and process the events of the day.

With me, I think it's due to anxiety sometimes.

And sometimes I just feel like it really has all been said before.

And I listen to conversations, and they are soooo f*****g boring, I don't even know why people are so enthusiastic about what they are saying.

I'd just really rather not talk unless I'm getting paid for the chore.

I think the symptoms of autism can fluctuate over time as you move through different situations and levels of stress.