Most social interactions feel effortful for me. I feel like I’m constantly trying to figure out others and understand what’s “normal” to do or to say.
I consciously study how other women interact in social situations and try to copy their behaviors.
I constantly worry about whether I’m doing a good job of fitting in with my peers.
In social situations, I feel like I’m ‘performing’ rather than being myself.
I feel exhausted, almost burned out, after prolonged interactions.
My interests and hobbies often take over my thoughts. I enjoy spending hours focusing on them. When I like something, I become a superfan of it.
I have an overactive imagination. I can spend hours building a fantasy world rich in elaborate detail.
I feel emotions intensely. I become easily overwhelmed by my feelings. It’s difficult for me to cope when I’m stressed, anxious, or upset.
I often play with my hair, tap my fingers, rock, flap my arms, or engage in some other repetitive behavior.
I am pretty set in my ways. I have fixed, highly specific ways of doing things. Doing just one thing differently is enough to throw me off for the rest of the day.
My senses can sometimes feel all over the place. I can be either under or overly sensitive. I avoid bright lights, loud noises, strong smells, certain foods, and other things that aggravate my senses. Or, I find myself constantly moving, chewing on something, and seeking some form of sensory input.
