Top 10 Worst Things About Having Aspergers Syndrome
You're not imagining it. The world really can feel like it's coded in a language no one bothered to teach you. Social rules shift without warning. Sarcasm hides behind a straight face. And what everyone else seems to "just get," you have to work at like it's calculus.Living with Asperger's Syndrome means navigating a reality that's rarely designed with your mind in mind. It's not just about being different. It's about constantly adjusting to a society that often expects you to function without a manual, all while trying to decode the silent signals people expect you to understand instantly.
It can be exhausting. Sometimes isolating. Sometimes even infuriating. And although the condition can come with strengths, this list isn't about silver linings. This is about honesty. The frustrating, confusing, and sometimes painful parts no one likes to talk about.
So vote for the things that make day-to-day life harder. The ones that feel like barriers instead of quirks. Because being heard matters, especially when the world keeps asking you to fit in without ever meeting you halfway.
This is a reason why it's so easy for me to get influenced: I take a lot of things that people say, even jokes, literally.
This can lead to some unpleasant situations.
I don't have Asperger's (I'm just on the high end of the autistic spectrum), but almost all these really resonate with me.
I don't really have trouble expressing any emotions, but I rarely cry. This doesn't mean I can't be emotional. When I feel like it, I can cry. Not often, but on occasion.
This is frustrating for me at times.
Heightened sensitivity to sounds, lights, textures, or smells is commonly reported in those with Asperger's. These sensory differences can cause discomfort or overstimulation in everyday environments. Sensory processing differences are part of the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders. This means that you have very sensitive senses, which has positive but also negative effects.
For example, if there's a kind of food that really stinks in my opinion, I can smell it better and from a longer distance. I can also be sensitive to loud noises at times.
This is exactly why I think I'm too sensitive at times. Sensitivity isn't that bad unless it's excessive. I don't think I'm extremely hypersensitive, though.
Loud music, little kid squeals, balloon popping, and fireworks all suck. Also, one time in a restaurant, I could smell gross cleaning chemicals, and nobody else could.
In my previous list, I said that people with Asperger's Syndrome are very talkative. But not when they meet new people.
I don't really like becoming acquainted, so when a person who is unknown to me comes over to my house, it takes a long time before I eventually interact with that person.
It takes a while for me to keep normal eye contact with new people. You can call this extreme shyness as well.
This can lead to a lot of misunderstandings.
Yes, this. I had no idea this was associated with Asperger's, but I hate unexpected changes. When things come suddenly and change without warning, I have no idea how to respond and I usually get worried.
Like when the teachers say we get to watch a movie, but we end up not being able to, I meltdown. I try and control it, but sometimes I can't help it.
When I was younger, and something changed in a routine, it led to some pretty frustrating situations.
Sustaining friendships may be difficult due to communication challenges, misunderstandings, or differing social needs. Individuals may also struggle to interpret social dynamics or maintain reciprocal interactions. These factors can lead to social isolation. This completely depends on the friendship. If I can trust my friends, it could last without too many problems. But if they are distrustful, it's a different story.
I'm always afraid that when I do something wrong, it can result in the end of a friendship.
I'm misunderstood. Some people think I'm a bad friend because I prefer alone time and such.
The Newcomers
I think due to the lack of agility to understand and comprehend social situations quickly, inhibitions tend to tongue-tie one. Then the punching bag stuff comes in. You get aggravated, and it worsens.
I have a lack of social interaction, especially a fear of eye contact and being scared to talk to anyone, mainly when I talk to them for the first time.
Anxiety disorders frequently co-occur with Asperger's, often linked to social uncertainty or sensory issues. It can affect daily functioning and emotional well-being. High levels of stress may lead to avoidance behaviors. I didn't know Asperger's could lead to anxiety, and it sucks a lot.
Sleep disturbances, including difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, are common among individuals with Asperger's. These issues may be related to sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or circadian rhythm differences. They can significantly affect daytime functioning. I can tell you that this is very annoying because it causes oversleeping a lot. In fact, I wake up half an hour later than I need to, which causes stress and worry. The only way to change this is to sleep earlier, I guess.
My only sleeping problem is that I move around in my sleep (not sleepwalking, just rolling around and such) and fall off the bed sometimes. Thankfully, it never happens in top bunks.
Not all individuals have this, but I do. I often wake up too early, and I have trouble returning to sleep sometimes.
This isn't that big of an issue, but it is a bit unpleasant at times.
I don't have this a lot anymore, but I still have bad handwriting.
I often say the wrong thing and later find out I have insulted that person or made them feel uncomfortable. This all comes down to having Asperger's Syndrome and how I talk to people.
I have a speech impediment. I'm not sure which one I have, but I can't talk in a certain rhythm and I can't say whole sentences sometimes.
Managing time effectively may be a challenge due to difficulties in planning, organization, or executive functioning. These issues can interfere with meeting deadlines or transitioning between tasks. Support strategies often focus on building routines and external structure. This can be especially tough for individuals who are not fond of mainstream music, entertainment, and other neurotypical things.
