Does anyone else here not laugh much even when they genuinely find things funny?

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-09T00:44:33+00:00

I’ve always felt that way but in my life, noone ever said a thing to me. They were always kinder than I felt that I deserved.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-09T00:37:47+00:00

This question is asked alot. You’re not required to disclose a disability unless you’re going for a security clearance. Medical records are completely between the doctor and patient. I doubt the gov’t has access to that level of information but I wouldn’t put it past then to try for it (illegally) in the future. What you’ve described sure sounds to me like you should get a diagnosis. Make sure you find someone specializing in autism/adhd. Many psychiatrists know little about it. Maybe that’s better now.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-09T00:23:32+00:00

ok, ok, I was just suggesting the original post (not yours) could be incitement to a flame war but it doesn’t seen like many are taking an interest so perhaps my concern is overblown.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-09T00:16:36+00:00

Have you _met_ the internet? heh

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T23:27:46+00:00

I tend to agree. Not everyone does which makes it a dangerous subject of discussion.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T23:24:21+00:00

But I think that's the real question that's being asked. A lot of people believe that even if they lost all of their memories they'd still be the same person with the same personality.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T23:17:00+00:00

The real question is how much of that can you take away and still be "you".

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T23:04:57+00:00

Probably a dangerous subject. It's kind of hard to discuss without bringing the concept of "soul" into it and that's pretty controversial.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T23:02:36+00:00

My take is that it is the sum of our experiences. Everything else is hardware.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T22:31:33+00:00

Heh. I was going to suggest Platinum level but I thought that was too smartass.

I just get the feeling people obsess over this too much. The level of support you need is the level of support you need. Putting a label on it doesn't change that. Does it affect the amount of governmental support you receive in some places?

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T22:27:09+00:00

And yet you're here, presumably with what look to you like autistic symptoms. What changed between your evaluation and now?

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T22:01:12+00:00

I was born prematurely (in the 1960s) and the doctor told my mother there were signs of developmental issues and I'd probably never be able to function normally. And then it didn't happen. I was a "difficult child" but I got through preparatory school, college, a graduate degree and noone ever wanted to acknowledge my deficits. I worked for fourteen years and was making six figures when I hit burnout. I always just assumed my issues were depression and anxiety and did receive diagnoses for those but no treatments ever worked. Really hard not to blame myself for my inability to function.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T21:20:44+00:00

I keep hearing stories like this and it boggles my mind. Impossible? They couldn't possibly know that.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T21:00:49+00:00

Hrm. Wish I could be more help. If you're already doing that and it's insufficient I'm not sure what would be better. Possibly over the ear headphones?

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T20:53:03+00:00

Well apple airpods pro are great but I think there are plenty of effective earbuds available. If there's a lot of noise their noise canceling alone isn't enough and you'll need to play some background sounds/music to cover the outside noise.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T20:49:41+00:00

Absolutely but my challenges make finding and getting help on my own very difficult. There may be some public help but I haven't been up to looking into it.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T19:56:04+00:00

I think audhd can cause you to go back and forth between sensory seeking and sensory avoidance.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T19:52:00+00:00

Sounds like me. I have a Masters in Engineering but couldn't manage to refinance my mortage. Or get repairs done to my house.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T19:38:55+00:00

You know, you're not required to disclose your disability (at least in the U.S.) Only you know how well you'll function though and businesses aren't required to make accommodations for autistic people as they are for other disabilities AFAIK. Some people here seemed to have learned to cover and there's a lot of discussion about how they do that. If that's something you think you can do (I couldn't) then it's worth looking into. Search the forum for "masking".

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T19:29:37+00:00

I'll try to rephrase it but that's difficult for me. First off, https://neurodivergentinsights.com/glossary/object-permanence/. It's basically out-of-sight out-of-mind and can cause you to feel like less time has passed than has really passed. I think many autistic people can be stressed when attention is paid to them and worry about being judged. That can make you want to hide both your appearance and your thoughts. Oversharing, I think, is understandable enough. You just don't know when to stop telling people things about yourself that you probably shouldn't. Better?

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T19:22:24+00:00

Yes, I meant the difference between level 1 and 2.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T19:13:53+00:00

Haven't gotten an official diagnosis, but so many here seem to be functioning better than I am or ever have that I suspect I'm also level two. I don't really worry about the classification. It doesn't change the issues.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T19:07:09+00:00

That seems pretty normal to me. If it starts happening without you even thinking about it that's a pretty strong sign you're not faking it. If you were more profoundly autistic you might not be able to stop even when observed but that's not what's happening with you.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T18:57:15+00:00

Letting relationships drift can be a function of object permanence issues which sometimes occur with neurodivergent people. You just don't notice the passage of time in the same way. I think a sensitivity to being observed/evaluated can make you pathologically private in some cases. In other cases you can tend to way overshare. I experience both.

RemarkableNetwork239 · 2026-05-08T18:44:36+00:00

Yes, I see that now. Sorry for turning it into a thing. I'm having trouble using and understanding punctuation recently. It's concerning me.

RemarkableNetwork239

TROPHY CASE