I'm a college freshman, and as far as I can remember, I have never felt the urge to be social. I never can go up and talk to a stranger, and when they talk to me, I say very little. I made a whole other huge ranting topic about the possibility of me having social anxiety, but someone suggested I might have Asperger's syndrome. After looking it up, I seem to have a lot of the signs. I avoid social interaction, I'm rather clumsy physically (don't ask me how I manage to play DDR, but I still trip over my own feet occasionally), my communication skills are not very good, and I can rarely make eye contact when speaking to anyone (whether or not I know them).
That was just a few. My lack of a desire to be social has prevented me from making many friends my entire life. After being in college for 3 months, I've made 2 real friends...one of whom left at the end of the last quarter. I was upset over him leaving for days, and even now when I think about him, it brings a tear to my eye. My fear of social situations also is keeping me from getting a job. I do not want to have to interact with others...customers, employers, etc. I stumble over my words way too often, yet I can place my thoughts perfectly into writing.
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Any thoughts? Ami I just getting paranoid over imaginary things?
I think your brave to acknowledge there is a problem. I have a child with autism, my nephew has autism and my cousin, age 24, has a form of autism. She has alot of the same problems you have described and went to college to be a teacher, but has taken the last few years off. She is very bright, but struggled socially since she was a toddler. Every job she had ended becuase she couldn't handle working with alot of people. She is now going back to school to be a vet tech. This is perfect for her. She can have minimal interactions with other people, but have a rewarding job. Her husband, who I think might have aspergers, (he is ALOT like my cousin), is considering going back to school to be a vet. I hope they both stick to it.
So, try to find something that interests you, but has minimal contact with other people. You need to be happy with whatever you choose. Make a list of your interests and strengths, then do some research into jobs that could work. I hope your able to find a doctor that can evaluate adults for PDD. They are out there. Good luck!
I was considering doing freelance artwork at some point, but I don't feel that my skills are good enough to impress potential clients. As far as a real "career" later in life, I want to be a comic book artist - I think I wouldn't have too much contact with people because I plan on doing everything myself...storywriting, penciling, inking, characters, background,and lettering. I've always wanted to have a comic book or graphic novel published that's all in my own style.
All I know is I want to do something in art - I'm currently najoring in game design, but I don't tihnk it's really for me because people who work in the field usually work in groups, and I'm a very independent person. I don't work well with others in groups.
This is my first post here. You kind of remind me of myself in some ways, which is why I decided to reply. Have you ever looked into Schizoid or Solitary personality type? I place myself into these categories since I too, have no desire for social interaction. I have no friends period, simply because that's what I choose, and I'm perfectly ok with that. I am my own best friend. When it comes down to it, you really don't need to be social and have friends to survive in life, although, in an extroverted world it can be more difficult.
Unfortunately for you and I, it is almost impossible to find a job that doesn't at least require some social interaction. Luckily for me, I have a job where I can pretty much work by myself, although not entirely. I work as a Lab Technician doing various scientific testing and report writing. It's not exactly what I want to be doing but it is a job that fits my personality and the pay is decent. Like you, I would also rather work entirely by myself doing what I love, which would be something involving art or music, but I've always felt like there's not much stability there. The only advice I can give you is to look for a job that fits your personality and doesn't require you to be social. They are hard to find, but they are out there. For some jobs, like the one I have, it is actually an advantage to an introvert. Never give up your dream though, if you want to be a comic book artist then go for it! Find out what it will take.
As long as you are OK with who you are then what other people think shouldn't matter. If you are feeling like you don't like yourself anymore because of the way you are then there are always ways you can change, and there are always going to be people out there that would like to help. I hoped I've helped in some small way.
Kudos on recognizing those areas in social interaction that make you uncomfortable. Think about all those people who don't have the introspective abilities to understand themselves as well as you do. When you know your own heart, you will lead a full and fulfilling life.
I worked as a petroleum geologist for about 20 years and literally knew hundreds of engineers of various types. A good number of them, now that I know about the spectrum, were definitely affected by some flavor of autism. Our company, Texaco, was "team-based" so yes, engineers regularly met with other engineers, geologists, and financial planners about a particular property that they were all responsible for. However, for the most part, we each worked on a lone aspect of responsibility...like, designing the drillilng program or examining data to decide whether to drill or not.
Where I am going is this: do not completely discount careers where you must interact with others. When you are discussing analytical problem solving with another person, but are not focusing on "socializing" with him, I think the interaction is much easier. You are focused on the intellectual problem...not how well you guys yak.
Let me point out something you two just did on-line. None of us is face to face, obviously, but I thought D. Stranger expressed himself very well and asked for opinions nicely. Aloof responded with identifying with those same issues and offered thoughtful advice. You two are good at interacting with others! Maybe when the face-to-face is gone OR when you are focusing on an intellectual exercise, "talking" is easier.
Follow your dreams and talents, but do not let autism/interaction/anything get in your way! NASA and Microsoft and Marvel and Chevron-Texaco and thousands of other places of employment need introverts! Ever heard the phrase: "still waters run deep"? People will value you, not for your ability to sell used cars, but for your intellectual abilities and talents.
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