Question.

How do you feel when you have to deal with/be around people?

When I have to deal with/be around people, I feel every hair on my body stand up on end. You know that feeling you get when you get a sudden chill and the hair on the back of your neck stands up? I feel that all over my body. It even feels like the hair on top of my head is standing on end. I feel as though people pick up on my feeling this way even though I try to hide it, and that makes me self concious, and I just want to run away and hide.

Sometimes, glad for the stimulation of conversation, provided I know I can easily back out when I've had enough and need to think in my own way again. Other times, just irritated by the intrusion on my thoughts, daydream or mental inactivity. Often, nothing at all.

I don't mind talking to people. It can be fun and interesting. It's just that I could leave it for something equally fun and interesting that has no strings attached, like books or the Internet. Then again, I haven't been diagnosed with SPD and don't know that I would be, so maybe I'm not your target replyee...

I don't really mind social interraction. I know how to conduct myself and it doesn't make me uncomfortable in the least.

siren, your signature is quite interesting. are you schizoid? is that how you people see emotions? do you feel you are stronger, better and more clear-visioned than normals?

Iserath wrote:siren, your signature is quite interesting. are you schizoid? is that how you people see emotions? do you feel you are stronger, better and more clear-visioned than normals?

Your question was for Siren, but since you appear to be of the impression that all schizoids are the same I might as well answer. I'm quite happy with being with little or no emotions towards other people and in itself that is a strength. However, in my experience, the disadvantages of being different than most far outweigh such benefits.

so how do you mask your difference? do you pretend to feel emotion, do you accept the contempt of normals for your 'disability', or do you simply shun all human contact?

Iserath wrote:so how do you mask your difference? do you pretend to feel emotion, do you accept the contempt of normals for your 'disability', or do you simply shun all human contact?

To some extent I (partly unconsciously) mask the difference by being a social chameleon. I mimic the mannerisms and emotions of whoever I'm speaking to and quietly slip away whenever I get the chance. In larger groups I'm loud and joking. I've never felt a contempt for my way of being, perhaps because very few realize the extent of my weirdness due to masking techniques.

Interesting. So you survive in normal society by engaging in mirroring and manipulation. What is your view of morality, compassion and empathy? Can you understand these things? Do you fake them, or are they natural for you?

My moral standards corresponds to the law + other common norms such as keeping my place in a que etc. I can feel compassion with others, but not really empathy. For some reason I'm more compassionate with strangers. There is no problem understanding the concepts and relating to them, but I don't feel them the same way I assume others do.