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Special Interests and Losing Interest in Them

Mr T

I have been thinking a lot about special interests lately.

I guess my special interest is my field of work. All I ever wanted to do since high school. After university and work, including two higher degrees I seem to have lost the 'special' part of my interest.

After obtaining a doctorate a few years ago I lost interest in studying. My knowledge of my subject matter is there but my brain cannot be bothered in studying further.

Is this because subconsciously somewhere in my autistic brain I have decided that enough is enough for this interest. It is like a switch was turned off. I used to live my subject nearly 24/7 but after the doctorate I did not have the energy to continue. I used to think it was because of the amount of work and study I did that I was knackered but now years later I have lost interest.

The question for folks on here is:

Have others felt the same way about one or more if their interests? Will I recover this interest or is it gone for good.

Maybe just maybe I have been in burnout since the doctorate was completed.

Parents

  • Thanks for the replies guys. I appreciate the insights these offer.

    The waning interest started at the completion of my doctorate. I also lost my parent during the final year or so of the degree. I do not think I properly grieved for them at the time. I developed a hyper focus to get the thing completed. I had always felt I need vindication for my life decisions including starting employment in my subject area rather then continuing up the degree ladder. Also I also was self funding so in my mind it would have been a waste of time.

    I finished a number years ago and continued in employment. I felt at the time that I had spent so much energy and emotional energy on the project that I just needed some time to rest and my interest would return. However, we are talking now in excess of 10 years ago and still no spark. It was just after my diagnosis I started processing everything in my life through the lens of autism. Hence the reason for my questions however badly I put the across.

    Since my diagnosis around 2 years ago my life is in limbo. I have been told by my employer I am no longer able to do my job and any adjustments were deemed unreasonable. This can explain my mood these days but not the sudden and what seems irretrievable loss of interest in my subject.

    I went from almost living and breathing it to couldn't give a monkeys. It is like a door has been slammed shut and the key thrown away.

    The autistic brain is a weird and wonderful thing. 

Reply

  • Thanks for the replies guys. I appreciate the insights these offer.

    The waning interest started at the completion of my doctorate. I also lost my parent during the final year or so of the degree. I do not think I properly grieved for them at the time. I developed a hyper focus to get the thing completed. I had always felt I need vindication for my life decisions including starting employment in my subject area rather then continuing up the degree ladder. Also I also was self funding so in my mind it would have been a waste of time.

    I finished a number years ago and continued in employment. I felt at the time that I had spent so much energy and emotional energy on the project that I just needed some time to rest and my interest would return. However, we are talking now in excess of 10 years ago and still no spark. It was just after my diagnosis I started processing everything in my life through the lens of autism. Hence the reason for my questions however badly I put the across.

    Since my diagnosis around 2 years ago my life is in limbo. I have been told by my employer I am no longer able to do my job and any adjustments were deemed unreasonable. This can explain my mood these days but not the sudden and what seems irretrievable loss of interest in my subject.

    I went from almost living and breathing it to couldn't give a monkeys. It is like a door has been slammed shut and the key thrown away.

    The autistic brain is a weird and wonderful thing. 

Children
  • in reply to Mr T

    Maybe it's something you're finished with, the interest that powered you through a doctorate is over, maybe its time to stand back and admire it like a house you've built or a piece of art work you've completed.

    Could grieving for the loss of your parent have become mixed up with grieving for the loss of your interest?

    I'm in a different position of having to give up things I enjoy because I'm no longer physically capable. I guess I'm lucky in that not only do I have this wonderfully strange thing called an autistic brain, but I'm an only child too, I'm so used to having no one to play with that I rarely have trouble entertaining myself.