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Autism and perception of reality

NarwhalGirl

Hi. So this feels like it might be a really weird question, but i dont know who else to ask. Do you ever feel like things in the past didnt really... well... happen? For example, i lived abroad for six years (age 8-14). I'm 19 now. I know it happened. I remember it. I can look at pictures. But i feel almost like i watched it on tv, like it wasnt actually real. When we lived abroad, i felt as if my life in my home country hadnt actually happend. Like i had drempt it, or something. I talked to family over skype, but i still didnt really feel 100 percent.

This also happens with future things, like taking a trip. No matter how many pictures i look at or even when we are at the airport, it just wont sink in. Im going to get a kitten in a couple months. Ive decided. I have the money, i have the breeder. I look at their facebook page 3 times a day. I know im getting that kitten. But something is off.

This probably doesnt make any sense. Its hard because i feel like my brain is messed up, like my perception of reality is off somehow. Sorry for the long rant. Im really hoping some of you have felt similar to this!!

Parents

  • There is what I call the 'always-forever' perception. I don't know exactly why but our sense of reality tends to be much more rooted in the present moment, and it's hard to conceive of them having been different, even though we know they were.

    Same with upcoming changes, in particular since the future is by nature an abstract concept, again our sense of reality is rooted in current experience, until we experience it as a more tangible thing in our present it won't quite feel right

    This isn't a disassociation with reality, if anything it's a more intense association with the present, and emotionally detaching from things no longer in your life. Remember it is emotional attachment that gives memories their sense of reality, letting go of these things is perfectly healthy.

Reply

  • There is what I call the 'always-forever' perception. I don't know exactly why but our sense of reality tends to be much more rooted in the present moment, and it's hard to conceive of them having been different, even though we know they were.

    Same with upcoming changes, in particular since the future is by nature an abstract concept, again our sense of reality is rooted in current experience, until we experience it as a more tangible thing in our present it won't quite feel right

    This isn't a disassociation with reality, if anything it's a more intense association with the present, and emotionally detaching from things no longer in your life. Remember it is emotional attachment that gives memories their sense of reality, letting go of these things is perfectly healthy.

Children