Can you be around people?

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My #1 issue is social context. Outside of for example buying a new video game and saying Yep new game to the check out clerk most social interaction with people confuses me and causes me anxiety. Even my 1 on 1 therapist I worry. "What am I going to say to her today?" What has happened the past 3 weeks to discuss? Should I bring up the news on my Disability claim that is processing etc? So SOCIAL context is my #1 problem.

Otherwise big crowds such as Black Friday or Disney World do not involve socializing. Standing in a line for a ride shut up don't say anything. Same for Black Friday IMO that can be a little fun since you meet like minded people buying bargain games at $10 a pop and we discuss what we are going to snatch when they peal the wrappers off sometimes someone snatches 10 games and shares them. A nice SMALL crowd of people. Talking about video games something I relate to somewhat. VS. my older sisters exercise place talking about shopping UGH! and then brining up "Hey who's new here?" I broke down crying and ran out Anxiety THROUGH THE ROOF!

I can't handle being around people in a SOCIAL CONTEXT! Yet handle NON SOCIAL Disney World Black Friday mostly fine. Obsessive Aspie here I FOCUS on what game/item I plan on getting Black Friday and mostly stay in that area. I dodge around the crowds running and zipping and bumping into people it's CRAZY but a FUN CRAZY IMO! No SOCIAL CONTEXT THERE! (Outside the small video game group I mention).

Anyone relate????

I'm somewhat the same way. I can handle walmart crowds, but if we are talking disney land crowds... forget it. There's no way you could get me there without a huge panic attack. Lines are even worse for me at a place like that. I can't even be in a line because I start panicking and could injure people around me as well. At my anime convention, me and my mom have to arrive an hour early to avoid the lines since I can't handle them. However, I couldn't do that at a place like Disney.

Have you tried writing down what you want to say in a notebook? I mean, to your therapist. That usually helps me a lot with my psychiatrist and my doctor.

Yeah, as long as I had headphones or earplugs, crowds wouldn't bother me much if I could be guaranteed that no one would look at or talk to me.

Tony Attwood said you can cure Asperger's Syndrome.
You just need to take away the people.
My SO and I proved this by going outback for 10 weeks. We had very little human contact during this time. I had no meltdowns, had no need for routines, my hearing and skin conditions improved, had no depression and very little anxiety.
When we arrived home, we needed to resupply so we went to the shopping centre. Instant shutdown. I couldn't deal with it after 10 weeks of minimal human contact. Everything was amplified 10X.

Not a fan of being around people, no matter if there's a social overtone or not.

That is a great quote, and it sums up how I feel.

I avoid people unless I need something from them. I can do a 72 hour hermit session at home easily on the weekends.

Its not really 'people' as a whole, its certain qualities and quantities, but yes, I prefer small groups

i can be around people for a bit, it all depends on how much people, what kind of people, their ages and what theyre doing. if its a party, shut down is unavoidable.

It really depends if it's a small group 2-4 ppl then yes but if it's a large group of people then no there's a person that I know who's trying to get me to go to ball games with him or various bars to be around a lot of people I cringe when I'm around large groups of ppl because of the nose levels and the social issues so whenever possible I avoid it.

I can handle crowds for a limited time only. Being in a crows or around people is a lot like holding your breath and diving down under. You know you will have to come up for air soon. If you learn to mentally prepare yourself before entering a crowd and know where all the escape routes are, if stress levels start to get too high. Being in crowds is not so bad if you learn to manage your time and learn the danger signs and start to get away before you meltdown.

This is a thread that makes me thank God that I'm so mild. It's also the kind of thread that lets me know for sure that I'm "on the spectrum". All the replies are me, only more so. This may be one of the few things that I'd change about my Asperger's if I could (mostly, I like being me). But it would be nice to be able to enjoy being as one with a crowd the way NTs do. It's getting more so as I get older, too. I'm practically a recluse since I retired and my daughter grew up, married, and moved out. I remember when I was a teenager, I could enjoy such things as "School Spirit" in a pep rally or at a football game, but it's been getting progressively worse since then. Now I dread every occasion that I really have to do. I can steel myself and do it, but I can't make myself like it. Right now I'm missing my granddaughter's performance in a Little Theater matinee. I hate missing it (and my daughter is going to be hoppin' mad at me), but I just couldn't steel myself this time. Wish I could be an audience of one, but then I wouldn't wish that kind of empty house on my granddaughter.

How tired or stressed I am means everything. I am ok if in a good mood. Can't hardly stand any crowd for any length of time when stressed or tired. Also if I like the reason the crowd is there that is a big help.