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Monotropic thoughts?

sphynx

Hi everyone, 
I've struggled for years with constellations of persistent thoughts centred around particular topics. They're often unhealthy - for example when they're focused for weeeks around particular people I really care about who can and will never feel the same way about me. At times these thoughts stop me from focusing on other things that need my attention, because I can't shift my mind from its topic. Is this monotropism? I'm wondering if anyone here has found strategies that have helped with shifting the 'stuckness' of the thoughts? Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Parents

  • Thanks for starting a great discussion.


    Yes having unhealthy persistent thoughts is very relevant to being monotropic as when we are focused on something it often absorbs our single attention tunnel and we may find it difficult to switch our attention from one thought process to another. This is one of the reasons why being monotropic as an autistic person can make us more likely to develop OCD because our thoughts get ‘stuck’.

     I certainly know that I can become obsessive quite quickly because I get stuck on certain thoughts.

     I don’t have any specific advice for your situation but these links may help:

    https://monotropism.org/

    https://medium.com/@sonyahallett/loops-of-concern-ff792eebad03 This article is called ‘Loops of Concern’ it is very good and gives some suggestions to help you get out of thought loops.

  • in reply to Ausomely Autistic

    Thanks so much, will check these out :) 

    I know almost nothing about the overlap between OCD and autistic traits. intuitively it makes sense, but I think I'm lucky just to have the 'obsessive' monotropic bit, without the 'compulsive' side. Can't imagine what it must be like to experience both. 

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  • in reply to sphynx

    You are very welcome.  Thanks for your comment. I think sometimes people around me (family) can find it difficult to distinguish what is me being monotropic and what is the start of my OCD cycle. I have made a distinction below if that is helpful.

    I love being monotropic, it gives me a level of passion focus/determination that is amazing and I love the feeling of getting in a flow state. It also gives me a sense of purpose that I wouldn’t have otherwise, for example my main aim for my working life is to support my own autistic community by eventually becoming an autistic advocate.

    What does monotropic flow feel like for you?

    There is a lot of unhelpful confusion that sometimes mistakes autistic experiences for OCD or OCD for autistic needs. For example, certain autistic needs such as certain routines for sensory needs get misunderstood. This happens because sometimes people don’t realise the basis of OCD is intrusive thoughts and completing compulsions even though distress is not relieved and the cycle continues, whereas when we autistic people do the same thing over and over again it is very natural, for pleasure or to reduce distress/sensory need.

    Do you understand my point?