Inner Chimp

Hi Andrew,

Have previously read this but since considering I have aspergers to some degree, i've tried reading it again the last few days and find it very conflicting for me.

eg Steve Peters describes the chimp amongst other things as seeing in black and white, well that't me and most of the chimp processes describes me so feeling very confused at the moment. I'm wondering if this only works for NT people. I've put it back on the shelf now as I only feel that I should be something I'm not.

If it works for you then great, stick at it.

Good luck

Gareth

Hi Gareth

Firstly, I am sorry that by asking the question that I have inadvertently caused you any confusion, pain and difficulty. In terms of the book itself, I find that as a working model that it fits reasonably well, but one has to remember it is a model and not absolute. My own experience now that I am part of the way through the book is that I can see how it broadly applies to those on and off the spectrum, and that some on the spectrum, myself included, have poor control over their inner chimp. That said, there with be NT's that also have a poor control, whilst others on the spectrum that have good control. What is also interesting is the large number of those on the spectrum who's inner chimp is either tucked away or doesn't appear to exist, with only the human and computer working logically together, for those individuals perhaps chimp training should be about bringing the chimp out of hiding, something which Dr Peters does not appear to cover. 

So thank you, your comments have made me think in a rounder way about the overall concept.

Thanks

Andrew

Hey Andrew, 

It wasn't you that caused any confusion etc so please don't think that, it's ok honestly.

In some ways the book has helped as previously I would get very wound up and angry in work about people who didn't care about high standards as much as me, who produced shoddy work or came back late from break etc. The books point about not being able to change how other people think and act and to just accept that, has helped. Now I just try and chill and do my own bit to my standard.

It has also helped with workplace sarcastic banter and wind up's etc (not bullying). People have noticed that I don't bite as much as I used to, and some, I have told why.

Your point about NT's chimps is a good one as there are also some people there that get far more wound up than me now with shopfloor people and supervisors who make stupid, illogical decisions. I just try to think, I can't change it so i'll just let them get on with it and their actions will eventually have repercussions on them and it's their choice. Yes, I relapse sometimes but I tend to think of the book and calm down again when thinking about things logically.

I assume you got to reading the book in the search for answers and some help.

Well I suppose, if like me, it helps in some way, then it has to be a positive thing. 100% may apply to NT's but if only 10% applies to you or me then its still a plus.

Keep reading it, you've made me want to give it another go looking at things in a different perspective so thank you

Rgd's

Gareth

Hey Andrew, 

It wasn't you that caused any confusion etc so please don't think that, it's ok honestly.

In some ways the book has helped as previously I would get very wound up and angry in work about people who didn't care about high standards as much as me, who produced shoddy work or came back late from break etc. The books point about not being able to change how other people think and act and to just accept that, has helped. Now I just try and chill and do my own bit to my standard.

It has also helped with workplace sarcastic banter and wind up's etc (not bullying). People have noticed that I don't bite as much as I used to, and some, I have told why.

Your point about NT's chimps is a good one as there are also some people there that get far more wound up than me now with shopfloor people and supervisors who make stupid, illogical decisions. I just try to think, I can't change it so i'll just let them get on with it and their actions will eventually have repercussions on them and it's their choice. Yes, I relapse sometimes but I tend to think of the book and calm down again when thinking about things logically.

I assume you got to reading the book in the search for answers and some help.

Well I suppose, if like me, it helps in some way, then it has to be a positive thing. 100% may apply to NT's but if only 10% applies to you or me then its still a plus.

Keep reading it, you've made me want to give it another go looking at things in a different perspective so thank you

Rgd's

Gareth