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Managing a Special Interest

mossyfen

Hi! 

I'm new to this website, so forgive me if anything is formatted odd or anything.

Essentially, I've been diagnosed autistic as an adult - about five years ago now. I've had special interests before, and some have even been quite intense, but right now I am caught up in the most intense special interest I have ever had. Normally, I feel my experience with special interests is quite different to my autistic friends experience - mine are few and far between, and if they are not active in one moment, they are taking a backseat. But that doesn't mean I don't care about them, it just means something else has my brain at that moment. If I then interact with something related to an interest, it then takes the wheel. Whereas a lot of my friends have a small number of intense interests that they've had for a very long time, that manage to colour everything they do in some way. Like my housemate loves Doctor Who, and everything she wears, watches, does, is somehow related even in an obscure way.

But now I'm in the trenches with a new special interest that honestly came out of nowhere. To the point that I am genuinely struggling to even think about other stuff. I can't do other things that would normally make me happy because it isn't related to my special interest. And this level of intensity - to the point that I'm strugglign with university work and even house chores - is not something I know how to manage. Like, my special interests have definitely taken priority over work before, but this feels like my brain is being constantly dragged in one direction while I'm trying to drag it another. 

Does anyone know how to manage this? I don't want to lose the interest, or ignore it, because just the thought of that genuinely hurts. But it's becoming a problem and I don't know how I can make my brain focus on things it just won't focus on. All my usual techniques that help with the ADHD side of my focus problems are doing nothing. I assume that at least some of you will understand what I'm talking about XD so I'm hoping one of you might have some suggestions on how to not continue losing my mind to this special interest.

Parents

  • Hi and welcome to the community!

    I suggest talking to your GP, who may be able to offer some support (eg talking therapy - for which you might also be able to self-refer, depending on the options in your area).

    You might also find the information in these articles helpful, along with the suggested sources of support.

    This first article includes, for example:

    "Autistic people’s interests are usually harmless, but there are some situations when the person may need support.

    Autistic people and professional sources suggest some general advice: ... If necessary, set boundaries for intense interests that are stopping the person doing other things they need or want to do."

    NAS - Focused and dedicated interests

    The second one was written with autistic children in mind, but I'd suggest the same principles apply. It includes:

    "Here are some questions to think about to determine whether the behaviour is actually an obsession.

    Is the behaviour causing the person unhappiness - but they are unable to stop?
    ...
    Is it undermining their ability to learn? For instance, are they unable to concentrate on anything else at school?
    ...
    If the answer is yes, it's worth visiting a GP to raise your concerns."

    Ambitious about Autism - Special interests

Reply

  • Hi and welcome to the community!

    I suggest talking to your GP, who may be able to offer some support (eg talking therapy - for which you might also be able to self-refer, depending on the options in your area).

    You might also find the information in these articles helpful, along with the suggested sources of support.

    This first article includes, for example:

    "Autistic people’s interests are usually harmless, but there are some situations when the person may need support.

    Autistic people and professional sources suggest some general advice: ... If necessary, set boundaries for intense interests that are stopping the person doing other things they need or want to do."

    NAS - Focused and dedicated interests

    The second one was written with autistic children in mind, but I'd suggest the same principles apply. It includes:

    "Here are some questions to think about to determine whether the behaviour is actually an obsession.

    Is the behaviour causing the person unhappiness - but they are unable to stop?
    ...
    Is it undermining their ability to learn? For instance, are they unable to concentrate on anything else at school?
    ...
    If the answer is yes, it's worth visiting a GP to raise your concerns."

    Ambitious about Autism - Special interests

Children
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