I’m unavailable at this time to write more about Asperger’s syndrome traits until my passion shifts back towards AS itself. The euphoria I’m being gratified by from my currently increased dopamine level (due to my other interests besides blogging) is greater than the “high” that my serotonin level can compete with. Of course, there is the option for me to exercise more and increase my endorphin level by doing so. However, if I did that, then I wouldn’t have the drive to learn as much as I am. For now, I like taking advantage of my obsessive/compulsive educational methods.
In my humble opinion, Aspies were created to be passionate over whatever captivates their interest most. After all, if they weren’t . . . who would be?¹ It takes extraordinary fuel to to escape gravity and travel where most others do not normally go.
Neurotypical folks can maintain ’socially acceptable’ patterns of interest due to their naturally higher levels of serotonin. This is why we Aspies get wrongly judged because of our flakiness. It’s also one of the reasons why we get drugs pushed on us to conform. Those who must fit into the mainstream and swim with the other salmon have no choice. As for myself, menopause has retired me from spawning duties. I’m one salmon who is going to make the most of what life I have left and that cannot be done according to someone else’s agenda of what s/he would think is best for me.
Daily mediation on scripture from the bible does boost my serotonin level, so it’s not like there is no source of counter-balance. Heck, if I threw in heavy-duty exercise with my spiritual menu, I might even start behaving more like a normal person in regards to how I divide up my day! Plus, I might get the added bonus of being less skeptical about people, thanks to also increasing my oxytocin level — but, given the way society is going, I’m not so sure I want to be so trusting. Aspies already tend to be too trusting by nature.
¹This is not to say that NTs don’t accomplish exceptional feats. They do. The difference is that Aspies pursue them in unusual ways, most often by the highest standards. Combine the last two ingredients with unconventional thinking, the result can be something unheard of before.
