The Passing of the Storm

  Well I suppose I'll touch upon another Aspie issue tonight. Why do we get so upset? Why does it take so long for us to calm down? And what, if anything, can anybody can do about it?

  I compare an Aspie's time of distress as a storm. Often it can spur up from nowhere and grow bigger and bigger. There's little that anybody can do about it. It does it's damage and then it moves on or dissipates. I realize that most people on this planet do get upset. Some more than others. But I also know that an Aspie feels things much deeper than most people. And that's the "problem". That is the root of many of our issues. 

  I cannot stress to you enough how much deeper an Aspie feels, about anything. Now I'm not saying that nobody else feels things deeply. But I am speaking in a more general sense. However, there is more to it than just "feeling things more deeply". The mind and way of thinking for an Aspie is extremely complex. But I will try to focus on the main branches. First off, an Aspie will feel that his or her opinion is the RIGHT opinion. People with Asperger's fancy themselves to be very logical and literal and therefore, RIGHT.  Secondly, we tend to obsess over things. Which is why I believe so many of us hold grudges and have a difficult time in forgiving others. Thirdly, we often take things personally; VERY personally. These three things combine for the perfect storm. 

 Most of the time there is nothing that a person can really do to help us in our time of anger. We just have to feel what we feel until the negativity blows over. During this time an Aspie can be EXTREMELY sensitive. You have to be careful in how you speak to them when you know they are angry or in pain. It's almost like touching an open wound. The slightest little poke can be extremely painful. Be warned, an Aspie WILL lash out if they take anything the wrong way. I compare this to an animal being cornered or trapped.

 Now this does not mean that you shouldn't TRY to help. I know I greatly appreciate it when someone at least tries to understand. For someone to be friendly and listen to what you are mad about. It feels good to know that somebody else cares. And I believe that to be true for anybody. Just don't be surprised when an Aspie rejects your help or clams up entirely. It is sad that this happens. But it's true.