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Original poster

Do you act out conversations when alone (or when not alone I suppose)?

27 replies

ShiftingSands21 · 16/02/2022 11:02

I spend a lot of time running through conversations in my mind. Could be remembering a past conversation I’ve had that I am processing, planning one I think is coming up or an imaginary one for some other purpose. I act out the associated facial expressions and stuff so it’s embarrassing if I forget I’m doing this while walking along in public. Right now I’m alone at work and have caught myself coming out of an elaborate reenactment of a years old conversation imagining how it could have gone a bit differently. Is this a ND thing? Or do all people do this? Does anyone know what it is exactly?

OP posts:
Nortd · 16/02/2022 11:32

Both dh and I are autistic and we spend a ridiculous amount of time practicing conversations tbh, easily an hour of practising for a 30 second doctors call for example and running through every scenario that could possibly come up.

On my own I will dwell and dwell about conversations that happened in the past and what I should have said/done and imagining what would have happened if if I had said x instead of y, it's exhausting.

LilyRed · 16/02/2022 11:32

yes, I do. I believe it is linked to my anxiety disorder; not as bad as it was, but I still feel the dread sometimes and then I do things like this

CornishGem1975 · 16/02/2022 11:36

I've just wandered into this thread from Active Threads, to say, I do this all the time! Everywhere. In the street, in the car, in the shower, when making a cup of tea. I practice conversations, replay conversations etc

I've never thought of myself as ND although I probably am. My DH thinks I am!

ofwarren · 16/02/2022 11:39

@cornishgem1975 have you ever tried the AQ test online? This is what doctors sometimes give you to do before they refer you for assessment.

psychology-tools.com/test/autism-spectrum-quotient

CornishGem1975 · 16/02/2022 11:41

[quote ofwarren]@cornishgem1975 have you ever tried the AQ test online? This is what doctors sometimes give you to do before they refer you for assessment.

psychology-tools.com/test/autism-spectrum-quotient[/quote]
No never, but I will take a look over lunch. It wouldn't surprise me at all. Actually, maybe it would be comforting that there's a reason for the way I am sometimes!

ThirdElephant · 16/02/2022 11:42

I do this. Generally more immediately though- not years later.

AchillesPoirot · 16/02/2022 11:42

I do this all the time. Often in front of a mirror

ThirdElephant · 16/02/2022 11:42

Also NT, as far as I'm aware.

ThirdElephant · 16/02/2022 11:45

[quote ofwarren]@cornishgem1975 have you ever tried the AQ test online? This is what doctors sometimes give you to do before they refer you for assessment.

psychology-tools.com/test/autism-spectrum-quotient[/quote]
Is this still in use? I thought it was just a string of stereotypes. I mean, 'I am fascinated by dates'? If you look up the symptoms of ASD in girls and women, how well does this test match them?

I could be wrong though.

inmyslippers · 16/02/2022 11:48

Yes I'm autistic and just saw this is in neurodiverse forum 😄

LimeSegment · 16/02/2022 11:50

I do this daily, I'm NT as far as I'm aware.

Flexitarian · 16/02/2022 11:51

NT here and I do this all the time. My autistic son does too. I think it’s more an anxiety/stress thing though.

Original poster
ShiftingSands21 · 16/02/2022 11:56

So interested in the responses so far. In my case I’m trying to process something, but it doesn’t need to be stress or anxiety related I don’t think. Not what I would call anxiety anyway.

OP posts:
ofwarren · 16/02/2022 11:58

Yes, and of course it's stereotypes as you cannot be diagnosed online.
It's a great tool to take to the doctors with you to discuss your 'traits'.

SlipperFeet · 16/02/2022 12:02

I do, I've never mentioned it to anyone in real life though. I have ADHD. I often snap back into reality just as I'm pulling strange expressions.

Original poster
ShiftingSands21 · 16/02/2022 12:03

SlipperFeet that is exactly what happens to me and my diagnosis is also ADHD.

OP posts:
Nerveouch · 16/02/2022 12:04

I have full on rehearsed conversations out loud. People I have lived with find it hilarious. I’m NT but mostly get on better with ND individuals (dp is being assessed for ADHD and ASD later this year). He looks forward to my daily shower conversations. Definitely a processing thing for me.

BoardLikeAMirror · 16/02/2022 12:12

Yes - sometime's it's a conversation that happened decades ago.

TheLeadbetterLife · 16/02/2022 12:16

I do this all the time, always have. I don't know if I am NT or not, though I do tick a lot of the boxes for ADHD.

vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 16/02/2022 12:21

@AchillesPoirot

I do this all the time. Often in front of a mirror
snap
YouCantTourniquetTheTaint · 16/02/2022 12:22

Yes, all the time, me and my internal monologue are best friends. I play out all sorts of scenarios, including being a talkshow host, a guest on a talkshow, arguments, conversations with friends, or I just talk to myself about what I want in life, anything and everything.

I move my lips too, and people at work have commented, I don't even realise I'm doing it, I'll eventually catch myself doing it.

I have ADHD, I don't know if its a trait or just me.

Oncemoreforluck · 16/02/2022 19:01

Yes, I do this too.
Also just did the test and turns out I have autistic traits.
Interesting……

HereticFanjo · 19/02/2022 12:03

@SlipperFeet

I do, I've never mentioned it to anyone in real life though. I have ADHD. I often snap back into reality just as I'm pulling strange expressions.
I do this too 😂😂😂
PollyGray · 19/02/2022 12:09

Yes I do it too. Sometimes, and depending on the internal monologue I'll swear out loud. Bit embaressing in the supermarket.

PollyGray · 19/02/2022 12:11

I clap my hands alot too, especially when I'm excited or stressed.