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Adult ASD and purchase decisions

ovidius_n

Is it a normal ASD thing to fixate almost haplessly on whether you should buy something or not? I've been known to linger outside shops in an almost frozen state trying to figure out whether I should put money down on something that I really really really want. Once I buy the thing, though, I don't recall ever having a moment where I regretted buying it or felt too awful about it afterwards, so I doubt it's impulsive per se. In fact I usually very carefully consider everything about buying it.

I imagine this is relevant to ASD (though I don't want to jump ahead of myself) because more often than not those purchase decisions have a lot to do with things that I believe will add to things that I'm interested in — e.g. I'm currently really fixated on a Moleskine notebook and a fountain pen (within affordable limits) because I fully fully believe that they will be nice and useful for this area of knowledge that I'm learning about. However, I also live alone in London and while my finances are okay for now it's clear that my in-flow/out-flow habits aren't always the wisest, even if I'm not exactly a wastrel. 

Do people share similar experiences, and does anyone have any tips or ways of coping with that strong sense of fixation when it hits? 

Parents

  • Hi Ovidius n,

    I can relate to your experiences - before I buy any product I have to do the research about ALL the good and bad points related to a purchase, and will take as long as it takes to feel "comfortable" with buying that product.  What I find helpful, and which might work for you, is just listing the good and bad points (plus and minus) on a sheet of paper. Seeing them written down seems to help the mind to focus on them.  Obviously this involves going home and writing the good and bad points down on paper, rather than just going ahead and buying the product. 

    I know it probably sounds obvious to do a plus/minus exercise, but for me it's really worked - on more than one occasion I've done exactly the opposite of my original intention, and been happier with the decision!  I've always been a financially prudent person, so I think it's just part of my character to always check everything out before I make a final decision.  Like yourself, I too don't ever recall having regretted taken a decision having used this method, and as you say, you're very careful before buying things.

    I don't know if that helps at all, but it might be worth a try - it works for me.  I tend to have big problems processing things in my mind, and seeing it written down is a great help.

Reply

  • Hi Ovidius n,

    I can relate to your experiences - before I buy any product I have to do the research about ALL the good and bad points related to a purchase, and will take as long as it takes to feel "comfortable" with buying that product.  What I find helpful, and which might work for you, is just listing the good and bad points (plus and minus) on a sheet of paper. Seeing them written down seems to help the mind to focus on them.  Obviously this involves going home and writing the good and bad points down on paper, rather than just going ahead and buying the product. 

    I know it probably sounds obvious to do a plus/minus exercise, but for me it's really worked - on more than one occasion I've done exactly the opposite of my original intention, and been happier with the decision!  I've always been a financially prudent person, so I think it's just part of my character to always check everything out before I make a final decision.  Like yourself, I too don't ever recall having regretted taken a decision having used this method, and as you say, you're very careful before buying things.

    I don't know if that helps at all, but it might be worth a try - it works for me.  I tend to have big problems processing things in my mind, and seeing it written down is a great help.

Children
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