Lots and lots of social skills training
I know that since near when I started elementary school and through high school and beyond I have received intensive social skills training. Frequently, when I do interact, I put those skills (and a few things I have picked up myself) into play.
When I spoke to the dental hygienist today, she probably had the impression that I'm a fairly normal person who just needs a bit encouragement. She likely had the impression that I was especially kind to her and interested in what she had to say. (I generally do not want to offend those to whom I speak.)
One thing that I noticed is that my head was flooding with stuff and I became very much in my thoughts all about what others would expect of me, and much less about what I would like to do and what I think is right. I now find my current experience to be painful.
_________________
"You have a responsibility to consider all sides of a problem and a responsibility to make a judgment and a responsibility to care for all involved." --Ian Danskin
Back to the dentist hygienist, she pushed me to talk about my illness. One thing I knew not to bring up to her was that social skills training, which I utilize. In reality, I was not interested in her: I only gave that impression. Basically, I'm like a customer service rep. who gets paid in avoidance of grief and letting the situation gel.
I remember starting to feel really hyper towards the end.
_________________
"You have a responsibility to consider all sides of a problem and a responsibility to make a judgment and a responsibility to care for all involved." --Ian Danskin
In addition, I was clearly not interested in seeing her again any time soon. I was glad when I was given someone else for a different appointment. I always hate getting the same person again and feeling all these expectations coming back and more, because now I'm expected to deepen the relationship, something I'm generally not interested in.
I prefer one-on-one, absolutely professional relationships, rather than those that make me pretend to be someone else's friend. It's too much playing that piano. So I didn't have a problem with the dentist, and I don't have a problem with any other doctor.
_________________
"You have a responsibility to consider all sides of a problem and a responsibility to make a judgment and a responsibility to care for all involved." --Ian Danskin
Basically, I hate the expectation of having to deepen any "friendship" with anyone. It makes me very anxious. Alarms go off in my head.
_________________
"You have a responsibility to consider all sides of a problem and a responsibility to make a judgment and a responsibility to care for all involved." --Ian Danskin
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