• Replies 11 replies
  • Subscribers 85 subscribers
  • Views 5642 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Getting stuck in ruts - seeing the future as bleak?

NAS63284

I have gained more than I have lost by having autism. But the one thing I really dislike about autism is the way I visualise the future. For some reason (I assume this is because of the autism?) - I look at the future in a very black & white way. As if the future will only be the same as now or worse than now. 

I never look at the future as an adventure that can be shaped in new and exciting ways. Even though I am a happy person and enjoy my life - I always look at the future in the way a person with depression might.

This is something I recognise in my Dad as well (who I suspect also has autism). If you are at prone at falling into ruts. Then you are also prone to falling into ruts when you look at the future. As such you find it hard to picture it as being something to get excited about.

I think part of this is related to the fact that I have no interest in romantic relationships. As such most of the "programming" we get from movies/TV/music is lost on me. On a subconcious level I think it is the feeling that you are going to fall in love with somebody amazing that excites "normal" people about the future. So in a sense my autism has made me old before my time.

I am sure this way of picturing the future is a fundamental part of autism. But I have never heard it discussed much. So I would love to hear from others who can relate to what I have written.

Parents

  • Yes, I relate to this in many ways:-

    1.  Ruminating over things that have been said (taking it literally).

    2.  Confused over the contradictions been said to me (not black and white but grey).

    3.  Thinking the worst possible outcome.

    And now I have my diagnosis then Yep - that is how I am wired as someone with Asperger's/High Functioning Autism (or will there be differences be found in the future?).

    To help me/support me I have taken several approaches that I have found useful:-

    a. Isolate myself within somewhere I am comfortable - from my home to country parks/walks that have very few people around and the garden.

    b. Focus on my strengths and develop my confidence by doing the little things that I enjoy/am good at.

    c.  Be spontaneous sometimes by doing something different (window shopping, spoiling myself, going somewhere different).

    d.  Understand my ideal vision as well as what is possible and not get too hung up on the utopia as I know that will never be reached.

Reply

  • Yes, I relate to this in many ways:-

    1.  Ruminating over things that have been said (taking it literally).

    2.  Confused over the contradictions been said to me (not black and white but grey).

    3.  Thinking the worst possible outcome.

    And now I have my diagnosis then Yep - that is how I am wired as someone with Asperger's/High Functioning Autism (or will there be differences be found in the future?).

    To help me/support me I have taken several approaches that I have found useful:-

    a. Isolate myself within somewhere I am comfortable - from my home to country parks/walks that have very few people around and the garden.

    b. Focus on my strengths and develop my confidence by doing the little things that I enjoy/am good at.

    c.  Be spontaneous sometimes by doing something different (window shopping, spoiling myself, going somewhere different).

    d.  Understand my ideal vision as well as what is possible and not get too hung up on the utopia as I know that will never be reached.

Children
No Data