Asperger Syndrome Support Group
Asperger syndrome - also referred to as Asperger's syndrome, Asperger's, Aspergers or just AS - is one of five neurobiological pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), and is characterized by deficiencies in social and communication skills, normal to above normal intelligence, and standard language development.
I get the feeling from time to time that people assume I need extra explanation, basically lectures about something. Yet, it's not so much in an obvious or even intentional way. For example, my new boss asked me if I could work an extra day coming up, I said I'd let her know if I was free. I then got a lecture on how the job requires flexibility and from time to time I will need to work extra days and hours. I did not anticipate that response, nor did I find it remotely necessary. To the point that I'm getting really anxious over it. This person does not know that I have Asperger's, nor do I care to divulge. At the same time, she's a perfectly nice person who I know did not mean anything except a general "let's get on the same page" statement.
It's not just this one person or incident. I get anxiety pretty much everytime I get an unnecessary explanation. I suppose it feels like I'm being talked down to. The bout of anxiety usually just lasts the day and I deal with it by constantly talking myself down into reality. Anybody else experience this? How do you deal with it?
It's not just this one person or incident. I get anxiety pretty much everytime I get an unnecessary explanation. I suppose it feels like I'm being talked down to. The bout of anxiety usually just lasts the day and I deal with it by constantly talking myself down into reality. Anybody else experience this? How do you deal with it?
One guess I have is that people sometimes aren't sure if we're listening or understanding what they are saying because we might not show the same facial and verbal signs of recognition when they are telling us things.
It might help with your anxiety to work not to take having things explained as personally...sometimes, it might just be that the person is the type that feels a need to explain things at length. Other times, it might be that, in part because of our Aspergers, the communication is a bit strained, which leads others to be a little more long-winded because they are uncertain about getting their point across.
Other techniques for coping with anxiety that have helped me are meditation, exercise, writing in a journal, and doing creative things.
I hope you're feeling better and that you'll keep us up to date on this board about how you're doing!