Hearing only what I want to hear. Am I going insane?
Twice now, I have asked my mom if something could happen. Twice, she has said no. Twice, I have heard yes. The first time, there was a bowl of fruit salad, and I asked if I could eat everything but the pinapples. She said yes. I asked if she was sure, because I couldn't believe she had said yes. Later, I got in trouble with my dad for leaving all the pineapples in, and when I brought it up to mom, she said she had specifically said no. The second time, I asked if we could buy my DS Lite today instead of waiting until Christmas for a reason I wouldn't like to mention publicly. She agreed it was a good reason, and told me we'd get it tomorrow if I did my research that night and made sure we got a good price for it. I did so, could barely sleep at night thinking about it, and this morning, she states that she said that she could not, had no time, and has no idea where I came up with that answer.
I think she is an honest person, and has no motive to lie like that, so the fault is clearly with me. I am imagining things are happening that are not, and it is affecting my ability to interact with people. I find this very scary. She said she would clean my computer screen some time because I am afraid I might scratch it, but now I'm afraid to ask her because maybe she said no. My Dad asked me if I wanted to go to a concert. I said no, but maybe I actually said yes and just remember no. Maybe I'm not allowed on my computer right now, but I remember being allowed on it. Who knows what reality actually is anymore when I can't detect it.
I'm very scared now. I asked my Mom if I could see my shrink about it, but she's an NT and thought I was accusing her of lying. Now I have no access to my shrink and am freaking out, and I can't communicate well enough to let anyone know this problem exists.
Am I insane? I have always prided myself on being rational, and I'm getting close to screaming and panicking, but I can't, because if my parents hear I'm upset, their going to think I'm throwing a tantrum because I'm not getting my DS right away. I must fine a way to remain calm...
Last edited by Kamex on 24 Nov 2007, 9:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
lelia
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Joined: 11 Apr 2007
Age: 74
Gender: Female
Posts: 2,897
Location: Vancouver not BC, Washington not DC
Yes, writing is good. Because of my hearing loss, I keep telling the kids they haven't told me anything until they put it in writing and saw me read it.
It is disconcerting to know what you heard, and then find out you didn't, and the more stressed you feel, the less likely you will hear accurately.
You might try confirming what you thought you heard. I repeat what people say so they can correct me. Hearing the opposite of what was said is fairly common in ADHD because the mind can blank out at crucial milliseconds and when it comes back online it creates a meaning to fill in the gap. And it happens so fast you don't notice.
No, you are not going insane. You are having brain hiccups.
Don't Panic.
Additional to that which people wrote already, I think that if you feel your mom isn't too angry and if you really want to see your doctor about it anyway:
Maybe print the text that you wrote here and give it to your mom?
You explained it well, maybe she gets it better when you give her this to read.
Just reading about that made me think of something. People have this bad habit of telling others what they want to hear instead of the truth. I'm quite guilty of it myself. The reason they do it is to avoid confrontation and argument. They figure if they tell people what they want to hear rather than the facts of the matter, they won't have to deal with the conflict, at least not at that point in time.
Aspies in general can be scary people, and any little thing they don't like can put them into a meltdown mode. Your mom probably just wants to avoid an argument with you because that would be so emotionally draining, so she tells you what you want to hear rather than the facts of the matter, because she figures you can't emotionally handle the truth.
You are Aspie, you go on and on and people shut it out, and say Un hun, Un hun, and do not hear.
It is common, the test is to ask if this would be a good time to put out the garbage and slaughter the neighbors. Even if they say Un hun, leave the neighbors alone.
You might print out a page about what you would buy, give it to her with a pen, and ask her to inital it. You have done stranger things.
Shrinks cost money, cope with your own problems, a little pocket size notebook, keep track of your chores, duties, things to do, and what was said, ink does not change.
If your actions cause problems, and you are working on it, others will help.
I write notes, a name and phone number, a week later I have no idea who or why, so I write notes to explain the notes. I know me and deal with it.
