Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi,
I'm almost certain I have ASD for many reasons (haven't been tested yet), and when I'm on my own I constantly talk to myself, it's not just the odd word or line, I'm talking to myself & 'thinking out loud' most of the time I'm alone. For example, I might have a thought about a certain video I like, and I'll say "One second and I'll show you it" when there's nobody there, almost as if I'm pretending to talk to someone. Sounds very odd, I know. Would this be related with ASD?
Thanks!
Jake
I talk out loud to myself constantly. Almost as if there's somebody else in the room that I'm explaining something to, or sharing a personal narrative with. I only do it when I'm entirely alone- which for me is the majority of my day. (I live and work alone.) I also have a distinct tendency to analyze and problem-solve by talking through something out loud. (Whether alone or in discussion with another person.) I think it's because my sensory processing is so intense and expansive, that translating such a massive amount of information into the restrictive confines of language helps me to mentally "pare down" and organize so much stimuli into a cohesive conclusion. It's like thinking via verbalization. I also sometimes act out imagined scenarios when I'm alone, like joking around with my friends at a party, for example. I only recently have begun to understand this as a rehearsal process for future social interactions, to lessen the exhaustion from extended masking sessions by already having my lines down pat. Which thus also helps me to have a more genuine, enjoyable time at said party. I hope some of this helps- I've said all of it out loud during the writing process, and it sounded pretty solid to ME, haha!
Sounds like another reason they often associated autism with schizophrenia (which they don't anymore)....but I also talk to myself a lot but I think that may yes, be part of the autism but it's also a part of loneliness.