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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is neuro diverse?

60 replies

mushypaperstraws · 18/08/2024 12:37

I've recently realised that I've never felt embarrassment or shame. Ever, in my entire life.

I used to think I just didn't get embarrassed because I'm just really confident, but I'm not that confident really. I'm fairly shy, I've just never felt any emotion after falling over/saying something stupid/realising I had something in my teeth/ballsing up a presentation/saying hi to someone I realised was the wrong person.

Is this a symptom of a disorder or ASD? I'm just wondering if actually embarrassment and shame is a useful and necessary thing the human brain has developed and I'm missing out on something potentially useful!

OP posts:
Createausername1970 · 18/08/2024 13:24

AgileGreenSeal · 18/08/2024 13:16

Do you feel empathy?

I would say empathy is a big indicator of potential ND.

So OP if you lack empathy as well, then you are possibly ND. But if it's not causing you a problem then don't worry too much.

Read up about ND traits and the strategies to deal with it.

Tulipsareredvioletsarebue · 18/08/2024 13:22

AgileGreenSeal · 18/08/2024 13:16

Do you feel empathy?

That is not a 'symptom'. Many people with autism absolutely do have empathy, some others dont.
Please read up about autism before posting, airmchair expertise is not needed by the OP.

LittleLittleRex · 18/08/2024 13:21

Your examples are more that you don't take yourself too seriously or think everyone cares deeply about your every move. It just sounds emotionally healthy.

How do you feel about things that might hurt others, when people bitch to you about others or you say something that upsets someone? Have you never done something when drinking you regret, what about with guys?

My ASD DD is like this, but CAMHS didn't think it was very relevant. I'm NT and a bit like this too. I wouldn't overthink it.

LostTheMarble · 18/08/2024 13:20

I’m not sure. I have difficulties with emotions but I had an abusive childhood, I can easily switch off negative emotions because I wasn’t allowed to have them as a child without consequences. I’m also seeking an adhd diagnosis and I can very easily switch off my emotions for people - as horrible as it sounds I feel zero for my ex despite having been together for 13 years, I can drift away from friends and not give it a second thought/miss them. Think it’s part of the object displacement that comes with the condition, out of sight/out of mind.

My ex has undiagnosed autism and definitely feels embarrassment. It came out as anger when he felt guilt/shame/embarrassment about something (that was his way of dealing with it, not everyone with autism does).

JabbaTheBeachHut · 18/08/2024 13:20

All of those things are about you.

Have you ever felt shame when you've upset someone else?

ProfYaffle · 18/08/2024 13:20

Interesting question. I suspect my dh is neurodiverse and also doesn't get embarrassed. He fundamentally objects to the concept and is a bit Hmm over other people worrying in social situations.

AgileGreenSeal · 18/08/2024 13:16

Do you feel empathy?

MrsTerryPratchett · 18/08/2024 13:15

I am going to hazard a guess that embarrassment is a socially conditioned emotion rather than something fundamental to the species' survival.

And I'd guess the other direction. Embarrassment is essentially fear of social exclusion. Social exclusion is death in hunter-gatherer societies and herd animals in general. Same reason fear of public speaking is so widespread. Essentially fear of social exclusion.

Catza · 18/08/2024 13:05

I don't know if it is a useful emotion in your situation. I am autistic and have zero issues with everything you said above. I can't fathom why it would be embarrassing to fall over. It can happen to anyone and I have never felt anything less about the person who fell over. If anything, I would be concerned that they hurt themselves. So, in my logical and regimented autistic thinking, if I feel concerned about someone else falling over then surely others feel the same. Where would the embarrassment come from then and how would it be useful in this situation?
Gult I do feel. If I promise to do something, I always do it because I know I will be letting people down if I don't. So, I guess it is a kind of pre-emptive guilt.
I am going to hazard a guess that embarrassment is a socially conditioned emotion rather than something fundamental to the species' survival. Maybe you just had a very healthy upbringing. I wouldn't start pathologising it, personally.

ditalini · 18/08/2024 12:54

What about when you realise you've badly hurt someones feelings.

Or your mistaken has caused someone to lose a lot of money.

Those would be situations where it would be worrying to feel nothing, but the situations you list sound very healthy.

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