Positive Experiences with Disability

[Annika.]

I have GAD (anxiety) and I do think it had made me more aware of things just in general. I pay better attention and can help others through it.

 

[ting1984]

I technically have autism (it's an ongoing debate among my medical professionals lol) but I've always had a special interest in chemistry too. I also have an outstanding memory (I memorized the entire periodic table pretty easily) so there's definitely an upside.

I've also "outgrown" most of my "autistic tendencies" for instance, I'm VERY sarcastic which is odd for autistic ppl.

I can be sarcastic myself, but I still tend to take other people's sarcasm very literally -- unless vocal inflection or sheer absurdity make it blatantly obvious that it's not supposed to be taken literally. People basically have to be as subtle as a jackhammer with their humor for me to "get it."

As for the OP, I, too have had troubles with my condition again. I've had lifelong troubles socially, especially with tact, friendships, and fellowship. The latest episode was bad enough that I'm actually leaving a church denomination over it (that, and some doctrinal differences). I cope/receive help by leaving social situations that repeatedly cause frustration or lack of mutual understanding, and finding ones that seem to be better. Sometimes this backfires, however, if the one I found that seemed to be better, is only better for about 1-2 years before it also becomes intolerable.

I've come to accept that I may never have a traditional friendship, and that I'll probably just always have to "stay in the background" when it comes to church/faith. At least my marriage is good!

 

[SolaireOfAstora]

I can be sarcastic myself, but I still tend to take other people's sarcasm very literally -- unless vocal inflection or sheer absurdity make it blatantly obvious that it's not supposed to be taken literally. People basically have to be as subtle as a jackhammer with their humor for me to "get it."

As for the OP, I, too have had troubles with my condition again. I've had lifelong troubles socially, especially with tact, friendships, and fellowship. The latest episode was bad enough that I'm actually leaving a church denomination over it (that, and some doctrinal differences). I cope/receive help by leaving social situations that repeatedly cause frustration or lack of mutual understanding, and finding ones that seem to be better. Sometimes this backfires, however, if the one I found that seemed to be better, is only better for about 1-2 years before it also becomes intolerable.

I've come to accept that I may never have a traditional friendship, and that I'll probably just always have to "stay in the background" when it comes to church/faith. At least my marriage is good!

Just find people who accept you for you and you're set. I've had my own issues with faith: I'm like the 4-year-old who always wonders "why" so it didn;t go well. The last straw was my youth group leader telling me that marriage is between a man and a woman (LGBT marriage had been legal for over a decade when she said this) and that if I had proper faith I wouldn't need my antidepressants.

Not to mention I was questioning my sexuality at that point; I never mentioned that to her, she just kinda decided to tell me how marriage is "supposed to be". I'm an out-of-the-closet lesbian now and have been in a relationship since February.

Ironically, my catholic dad was super understanding and let me forge my own path while my baptist mother STILL tries to pull me back in. I still feel guilty seeing the bible on my shelf but I cannot stand by a faith that actively harms me.

I am happier without it.