NTs are in Existential Crisis

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NTs don't know that they exist unless everyone around them constantly tells them so. Except no one says it like, "Hey, you exist." You have to pretend to hide the message by saying something else like, "Hey, how are you?" When an NT is faced with a person who does not tell them they exist, they get really insecure and have an existential crisis. "OMG, she didn't tell me I exist! What if I don't exist?" But NTs may try to correct this situation by trying to force acknowledgement by sequentially stronger and angrier expressive language. They will eventually get their support of their existence, or they will lose some self-security and wonder if something is wrong with themselves. Perhaps they will decide something is wrong with the other person who won't tell them that they exist.

Meanwhile, the Aspie is perfectly content knowing they exist without external existential support.

I need to constantly remind myself that *others* also really exist.

not that I am 100% sure of that, it's just a theory.

Lol, for a moment I thought you were on about Sartre. I'm actually listening to 'all I need' by Radiohead right now. An interesting thing to think about, maybe I'll go discuss it in philosophy class on Monday (technically we are doing Niezsche but it could fit in indirectly with his 'will to power' and all). Too tired to think clearly right now. xD

I have actually seen a post comparing aspies to Niezsche's supermen...

edit: Anna, I relate to that. I seem to see others as objects by default, even if logically I know differently.

Lmao, that would explain SO much. Perhaps if I tell others they exist more often, I might fit in more. It does give a reason for all the "pleasentries" that you seems like you must do to hide amongst NTs.

Are you saying Aspies don't mind being ignored?

It's a funny.

Maybe I'm so used to being ignored that I am just cynical.

It's true. Lots of people need the constant stream of compliments validating their existence helping them out of their existential crisis.
I thought I was in an existential crisis but now I wonder if I really am because I don't require compliments or much feedback to keep going.

I can relate to this. If I were stranded on an island I wouldn't need a 'Wilson' to keep me company.

I don't have less social needs than NTs do. A big proportion of Aspies need the social interaction as much as NTs do.

I was always noticed as a kid because I was bullied. I wished I was ignored and my wish came true. People acted like I didn't exist when I was in high school. When I was new to town, I got noticed in school because I was a new student.


But I don't see NTs going around saying "Hey How are you?" They only do it to people they know. I don't. I don't like people asking me "How are you?" unless it's family.

Is the feeling of not existing not related more to Schizoid Personality Disorder?

from wiki:

People with SPD are seen as aloof, cold and indifferent, which causes some social problems. Most individuals diagnosed with SPD have difficulty establishing personal relationships or expressing their feelings in a meaningful way, and may remain passive in the face of unfavourable situations. Their communication with other people at times may be indifferent and concise. Because of their lack of communication with other people, those who are diagnosed with SPD are not able to have a reflection of themselves and how well they get along with others. The reflection is important so they can be more aware of themselves and their own actions in social surroundings. R. D. Laing suggests that without being enriched by injections of interpersonal reality there occurs an impoverishment in which one's self-image becomes more and more empty and volatilized, leading the individual himself to feel unreal.

Maybe this proves your point. Being a personility disorder, NTs normally would not have this problem unless they isolate themselves. Are you suggesting that AS's simply don't have this issue?

Last edited by Mixtli on 05 Oct 2008, 12:46 am, edited 1 time in total.

I don't feel that I exist (this isn't socially; this is as a physical and tangible object--life is like a dream to me), nor do I feel that others exist in the same way.

O, I'm very, very asocial. I'm thinking that this is how I innately am, as I've been around people before, and when I moved away from them, I didn't miss them at all.

How I am is common for people with a high-functioning ASD; some like solitude and a quiet pursuit of their own interests [like me], whereas some have the same desire for social interaction as "normal" people. Both ways are common.

Last edited by Danielismyname on 05 Oct 2008, 12:54 am, edited 1 time in total.

“I can live for two months on a good compliment.”-Mark Twain.

For me, it's about quality interaction. I can't relate to pigs. Associating with the worst of them does not make me feel "enriched," but defiled.
I would like to associate with good people, but I can't find many.

I remember having vague thoughts along these lines from as early as third grade. Being disgusted and horrified when the kids around me allowed the teachers to insult them freely, acting "like dogs," lapping up every empty, power-driven compliment.

I still don't instinctively understand their motives. When do understand, I am offended. What I'm actually feeling much of the time is fear and revulsion. To THEM I might seem "passive" or "indifferent" because they can't imagine that I could reject everything they are. (I'm usually not eager to clue them in.)

It's isolating, but I do not feel "unreal." I feel like I'm surrounded by insanity. More than ever with the events in Washington this past week.

"It is no measure of health to be will adjusted to a profoundly sick society." - Jiddu Krishnamurti

Last edited by Tahitiii on 05 Oct 2008, 9:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

That's been my position for many years. While everybody else was listening to the best-selling pop records and going to discos, I was hanging around with the fringe kids who liked soul and blues. One of the most frequent topics of conversation was the inadequacies of mainstream society. It was us against the oppressors. Nothing like a common enemy to strengthen a group's bonds. I was fascinated with the Hell's Angels - didn't like their ethos (much too brutal), but the way they dared to live by their own rules and just didn't recognise the mainstream, I admired that.

I guess I've mellowed. There's a lot of good people out there who've never even heard of alternative culture.

Oh yes!! !!
That is exactly how I feel. The only people I would ever want to be friends with are those with integrity, who are honest, compassionate, non-judgemental, intelligent, deep-thinking, open-minded, wise, accepting, authentic, genuine, etc., etc.
I figure that rules out most NTs.