Do you have any overwhelming aversions?

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It was my recollections in *this post* that got me thinking about this topic.
I'm not sure if this has anything to do with Autism or Asperger's. But it might. Which is part of why I am posting it. Please forgive the tedious length and inclusion of pointless details. This is a manifestation of AS. When it comes to writing, I just tend to go with it. Thanks

So,
To elaborate on what I wrote previously, I have an overwhelming aversion to needles.
This is not the same thing as a fear or phobia. As I said, I can go into a doctor's office and sit calmly and get shots or have blood drawn. That doesn't scare me a bit. I feel fine.
Then, shortly after it is done, I begin to feel dizzy and nauseous, then pass out. It is a completely involuntary process. It has happened almost without fail every time I have been around needles. Let me give you a few examples:

A few years ago, I had to go in for a physical. They needed to take a blood sample. So they hooked me up. I was alright. They got all the blood they needed, and I sat for a minute to make sure I was OK. Then I was done. I went to the front desk to checkout. That was the last thing I remember. Apparently, I passed out mid-sentence while talking to the lady at the front desk. It was Christmastime, and I fell into a miniature Christmas tree they had set up. I woke up, on the floor, surrounded by little ornaments, scattered everywhere. Some were broken. I remember specifically opening my eyes to a little toy-soldier whose arms and legs had been snapped off.

The staff was, needless to say, shocked. The patients in the waiting room probably didn't get the best impression... patient walks out from seeing the doc, then passes out cold as soon as he leaves... Honestly, I'm glad it happened there. In a doctor's office would be an ideal place to pass out. At least it happened when it did, and not a few minutes later; after I'd gotten in my car and been driving 50mph down a busy highway.............

This same scene, less humorous and ironic, has happened to me so many times.

When I was younger, I would go in to the doctor's to get booster shots or whatever. They would give me the shot and I would sit there, absolutely fine. Then the nurse would leave and I would end up blacking-out. They had to wake me up with smelling salts one time. That was interesting.

But, let me clarify: this aversion thing is not just about being at the doctor's. Here's another story.
I was 18, and I had gone to see a movie. They had just re-released The Exorcist in theaters, and I went to see it. By myself, of course. As the movie went on, they got to the part where they have the girl in the hospital, strapped down. There's all kinds of medical stuff going on, including needles. Once I saw this, I remember getting all the familiar sensations.... nausea, numbness, faintness, blurred vision, roar in the ears. I got up to leave. That was a huge mistake.

As soon as I exited the theater, I passed out while walking at a brisk pace. I fell forward and landed directly on my chin. I woke up in the entryway, sprawled out on the hard, nasty carpeting of the main lobby. Even though there were employees and movie-goers around, apparently no one had noticed me, or cared to help me. Hardly able to understand what was going on, I staggered to the restroom to assess the situation. I felt blood all over my face. Once I regained my wits, I saw blood streaming from my mouth. I gradually noticed a great deal of pain as well. I was still in physical shock. The bleeding slowed, and I was able to clean myself up a bit. I noticed that some of my teeth were not at their correct angle, and I had bitten through part of my tongue. This was not a good night.....

I ended up being OK, although I required dental surgery and I still have a hairless scar on my chin and an odd inconsistency in part of my tongue.
This all happened because of stupid needles!! !!

So enough with rambling stories. Back to the point. I have an overwhelming and involuntary physical response to needles. I still don't know why. Perhaps some trauma, the memories of which I have suppressed. Or perhaps it is some kind of subconscious autistic psychological fixation. Regardless, the symptom remains.

Do you experience anything like this? Overwhelming physical aversions. Not simple fear. Please share your thoughts and feelings on this topic.

Thanks.

I had/have an aversion to the color blue. Now I do like some blue-colored things quite well! These are isolated 'sentimental' or special pieces though. So I do like select blue items and I like blue clothing on others. But I cannot wear blue and own nothing blue to wear except a pair of bluejeans (I have others jeans that are not blue). Weirdly, I love green and green seems 'safe.'

When I was little I REFUSED blue - I mean HATED blue! And I would never wear jeans - of any sort. I wear skirts/dresses still about half the time and when I wear pants it's usually khakis.

I went through a phase (when a child) where I would not eat sandwiches of any sort. And then I HATED anything crunchy. I like tuna fish very much but HATE when crunchy pickle-pieces are included in the tuna sald. The texture is then unexpected and slightly scary then. Hate croutons for this reason too. I can now eat an apple but I cut this into wedge slices first. Oranges/citrus are better.

Blue can make me feel very nervous. My apt is decorated in shades of RED and my favorite color is cinnabar red. I like autumn color shades. I have just a couple of blue things and this is fine - I like just a bit (and not much more).

The worst: Blue-gray. Cannot do. This color makes me feel (?) _____________ ? No word. Strange/sick - as if it clashes with self. I promise I could not tolerate a blue-gray work or living environment for long.

Certain sounds LOOK blue, such as white noise. This can be disorienting as well. Lab Pet has green eyes and blonde hair with very pale skin with a yellow-ish cast. I do look best in autumn colors and I can wear browns and reds well. I like orange/peach too. Cinnabar red 'feels' to be the correct frequency and resonates.


I do think your needle aversion is quite different than a phobia - and Autists can definitely have peculiar and intense dislikes, and likes too. I have certain strong preferences that might be otherwise just strange. Since needles are inevitable, can you request something to relax you first, out of necessity? This would be no different than one who is nervous about a MRI, for instance, needing a sedative before the procedure. Your aversion is real! Are you able to ask, if necessary?

Lab Pet's senses are integrated so one stimulus overlaps with else. And I concur: Involuntary.

my aversion is feet, anyones feet, I'm not particularly fond of my own even. Its not like I don't like what they are used for, I guess mostly I just don't like the stuff that could be on feet , I don't know how to explain it, so I wear socks all the time

I don't like shaking hands or really anyone else's hands touching me, germs etc.

I am with you on that one. Although I personally have no problem with Blue.... Blue-grey is, as you say, sickening and contradictory to me. It just feels wrong.

That's a bit of the connection I suppose I was theorizing after. I know well enough what my interested fixations are. But I guess I never really thought about what any negative or repulsive fixations might be. Also,
Never thought of the sedative thing. I suppose the next time I am at the doc's, I may ask for such. I don't know how much good that will do me, though, since nervousness is not exactly what I experience with this aversion. I may just be mellow and relaxed before I pass out, instead!

Synaesthesia has always fascinated me, and I do experience a number of manifestations of this phenomenon. But of course, I was always interested in the way sounds or numbers become colors, etc. These things are usually positive and wonderful. But I can see how there is a negative flip-side to it...
To speculate on this aversion thing of mine in the light of sensory integration, I can see how one outside stimulus could cause a total sensory shutdown. One visual input short circuits all the machinery of the senses, because all those wires are crossed....

Or this may just be my imagination at work. I don't know. But some interesting ideas, nonetheless.

Thanks for your reply.

all very interesting. i have often talked about the "terribly thin membrane" that metaphorically separates my senses from each other. I get nauseated easily be certain things - the sight of something - to the point of vomiting. (i can go to the mall and come home like this.)

my dentist is also aware that i feel pain with the drill sound - even though it is not in contact with my flesh. it is enough for me to hear it. he is aware i have AS and is aware of my SID stuff, so he has been pretty cool about it. i equate various shapes with various numbers also. i find it fascinating. I wrote a post a few weeks ago on going for an early morning walk and seeing a man with an ulcer on his leg. MY reactions are way beyond typical. it's good for me in one sense - being a painter and artist, but it can play havoc with various areas of my life.

I thought I was the only one that had aversions to certain colors. There's only one that makes me dizzy, weak, and queasy, and that's that orange, kinda metallic rusty color that I've only seen on cars (thank god). I literally get ill when I see a car painted in that color.

Banks and city buildings.

I have an intense aversion to the smell of cooked shrimp and most other seafood, and to cigarette smoke. The taste of soda and alcohol (especially hard alcohol) is really difficult for me as well.

One of my worst aversions is to florescent lighting, even the compact florescent bulbs. They make me want to crawl under the nearest rock!!

I have an aversion to loud sounds, pungent odors, some textures, and chit-chat.

Wow, I thought I was the only one with that particular form of synaesthesia. Where colors cause emotions and vice-versa. First I thought synaesthesia in general was rare, then I find out that it's actually very common, and now I find that other people have the particular kind that I've been blessed with. This is great!

yes an aversion to people in general and to what they do.