Do all Aspies hate crowds?
I've been assigned the roll by my friends & acquaintances as "the one who hates people". I don't hate people per se, I would just rather be alone. It seems like most aspies are like this in a way, preferring to be away from large groups & crowds. Though, I analyze my aversion to people a bit differently. I LOVE large crowds, like what you get in the Washington, D.C. 4th of July celebrations. I insist on going every year (even though when I think about it, its really boring :p). I LOVE being on a crowded bus or metro. I hate being at a crowded party or club. I hate being at a crowded grocery store. What's the difference? Should I hate all crowds? I think the reason for me is that I love the type of crowds where I can be anonymous and just observe the world. I hate crowds where people are likely to notice me, or possibly interact with me. Does this sound autistic? Anyone else relate?
Well obviously, every Aspie is going to be different; not everyone on the spectrum may have similar symptoms/preferences.
As for me, I can kind of relate. I don't mind so much crowds of people that are similar to myself, but other kinds of crowds tend to bother me.
I just hated my high school, because of how overpopulated it was. The hallways were always congested at the end of each period, and quite frankly, it just made me feel uncomfortable.
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"The important thing is not how long you live, it's what you accomplish with your life. While I live, I want to shine. I want to prove that I exist." --- Grovyle, (Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky).
I don't have issue with crowds as I've been to anime con and I've seen concerts without issue, in fact I face way more problems when it comes to waiting in lines, but I'm agree with the majority so far that socializing in a crowd is the most god awful thing! It's hard to talk to anyone in those conditions.
I can relate. Somehow when interations can be expexcted it's definitely a bit worse. However, I don't like crowds on buses and metro trains. I don't like noisy places and people talking around me even when they are not particularly loud. I don't like thick air in crowded places. I wondered how much of it is social anxiety and how much sensory in origin. Some of it must be that I'm being hold back due to people standing in the way.
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Another non-English speaking - DX'd at age 38
"Aut viam inveniam aut faciam." (Hannibal) - Latin for "I'll either find a way or make one."
not all hate crowds, but no one can handle it, theres a diffrence,
i dont like crowds but i can stand them, but only for a bit, and then i shut down.
crowds are a huge strain for autistic people, a lot of processed and just painful sensory process all together, if be surprised if i met an autistic person who can stand in a crowd without shutting down
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Obsessing over Sonic the Hedgehog and friends since 2009
DA: http://mephilesdark123.deviantart.com/
Your Aspie score: 171 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 40 of 200
It really depends on the nature of the crowd, who I'm with, what I'm doing in the crowd, and a number of other factors.
I really, really don't like to be completely penned in with no way out by a really dense crowd, or by people in general actually, but I like to dance and I know how to make my own space in a relative crowd while doing so if need be, and where there's room.
Dancing is like really intense stimming for me, so it tends to block out the worst of it, and if it gets to be too much I take a break & go outside for a bit because I always know my escape routes.
That being said, being around large amounts of people unexpectedly can be extremely upsetting and disorienting.
I had a meeting in a mall and didn't realize that's where it was, and by the time I got to the restaurant I was shaking and monosyllabic for a minute.
I never go places like that alone, and certainly not without advance warning.
Being prepared for it ahead of time seems to make it easier though, somehow.
It sounds like social anxiety what you describe.
I hate crowds (close and large crowds make me have panic attacks, and busy areas make me feel dizzy and ill) and social gatherings generally. But I can stomach them (some) with much anxiety and stress. For a short period.
I wish I wasn't like that, as I like the company of others, and for the most part like people. But I get overwhelmed by it all.
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Was at football last night in a crowd of 20,000.
Don't mind being in a crowd at all if they are all looking at something else, you kind of become anonymous in a large crowd like that.
Biggest crowd I have been in was 90,000 at Wembley 3 years ago. Was so drunk I didn't know what was happening though! ![]()
For me, it depends on the nature of the crowd. If it is jovial, with personal space, then I'll probably be fine. If it is an angry crowd...
Don't mind being in a crowd at all if they are all looking at something else, you kind of become anonymous in a large crowd like that.
Biggest crowd I have been in was 90,000 at Wembley 3 years ago. Was so drunk I didn't know what was happening though!
Bet you're glad Karacan didn't score!
Being in anyplace where it is so crowded that I am being squeezed, pushed, jostled I do not like, but that is true for most NT's also.
As others have said I don't mind a crowd where I do not have to socialize. We mostly talk about hyper sensitivity here but in most descriptions of autism I have seen they mention hypo sensitivity as well as hyper. If you are hypo sensitive you would miss body language and not mind crowds? Talking with people in a crowded area is multitasking. People with poor Executive Function would have difficulties and become tired from that.
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Diagnosed and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder
DSM IV: Moderate to Severe Asperger Syndrome
"We are convinced, then, that autistic people have their place in the organism of the social community. They fulfill their role well, perhaps better than anyone else could, and we are talking of people who as children had the greatest difficulties and caused untold worries to their care-givers.”
Quote by Hans Asperger during the era of Nazi Eugenics when it was literally a matter of life and death
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