My Autistic Experience – Singleminded Passion, Fixing a Broken World

Lately I have been thinking about my dream for the world.

Some of these thoughts have been provoked by the recent election results. Recently, I realized that there is no politician who could represent me. How can a politician represent a scientifically literate autistic? The answer is that he or she probably could not. The best I could hope for is that we want the same thing in the end, but if I find myself disappointed by every method, then does it even matter?

I wish to leave the world in a better place than it was before I got here. Often I see the world as a broken place, but I also see it as a great puzzle to be put together with patience and care.

One of my favourite quotes is from H. L. Mencken: “For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.” The puzzle is more complex than most people realize, and I resolve to take great care in assembling it.

Emotion or Illness?

I think the problem with today’s society is that everyone is so quick to self-diagnose. If you think back to even 5 years ago it was considered shameful or looked down upon to categorize yourself as someone with a mental illness.

Yes, it is very possible that because it is more “accepted” now people are admitting to it more.

But, at the same time I think this generation confuses emotion with actual brain malfunction.

A lot of people think that because they feel extreme sadness they must have depression, or they are quick to change their moods so they must be bipolar; in reality this is far from the case.

It is possible to feel emotion without there being something chemically wrong within your brain. Society is so desensitized that when someone feels emotion, they are brainwashed into thinking that is not okay therefore something must be wrong with them.

WAKE UP PEOPLE! YOU ARE ALLOWED TO FEEL EMOTION!

My Autistic Experience – Is It Just ‘My Experience’?

Does anyone remember my second post on this blog?

I do. It was an incomplete piece of work that was probably sent through because I accidentally pressed Submit for Review instead of Save Draft. I actually deleted it because I was not satisfied with its quality. I figured that I would simply try to write it again.

But as I tried again, I realized that I am running out of things to say that purely focus on my autistic experience. Everything else feels at most partially related. There have been many things recently that I have had an interest in talking about, none that seemed appropriate for this blog.

Sometimes I want to talk about the worlds I have created in my spare time, just to have the ideas out there. As I have said in the past I enjoy building world. Recently I have had the chance to share one with some of my friends by running a game of Dungeons and Dragons. I haven’t been running it too much since I have been busy with school, but it was still an interesting opportunity. That said, not exactly appropriate for this blog.

Anxiety and Depression: Functioning When You Can’t.

So I recently went through a pretty drama filled few weeks that put a lot of strain on my mental/physical health as well as my super busy schedule. Between the mental doubts and questions roaming around my mind, I still faced the task of working, commuting to school, organizing my extracurriculars, participating in class, starting/finishing assignments, attending meetings, cleaning the house, talking to my parents…. heck – talking to people in general!  My mind was a mumbly-jumbly-whirly cesspool of thoughts that did nothing for me, but pop in and stress me out.

A friend saw that I am writing in this blog and ask me to discuss:

1. How to plan out work on assignments/readings when you’re battling anxiety.
2. How in general, to function when you’re just not feeling up to it.

This past week really got me thinking:

A thing that I often find when battling with anxiety or depression is the struggle to function when you really have to.

Thoughts on Suicide..

** WARNING**: Possible trigger for some; please read with caution to your own mental health

Sometimes I’ll pass by someone on the street and they are just glowing with happiness and it makes me think, I wonder if they always look so happy… is that a reality people actually face? Where they can spend a day in happiness until something negative effects them instead of spending the day in sadness until something positive sparks some happiness… even if just for a few moments. Is it possible for some people to go a day, a week or maybe even their entire existence without seriously considering the option of suicide?

Student Services: Mature, Transfer, Pathways Students Meet Ups

Did you know that, approximately, 1 in 4 students at UOIT transferred here from another institution? These students could have come from another university, or an advanced college program, or waited a little before going to university after high school.

If you are a Mature, Transfer, or Pathways (Bridging) student, here is some information on MTPS Meet ups to connect with other MTP students, and discuss tips to make your student life easier!

No Money No Problems:  Living on the Student Budget

Tuesday October 20th, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in UB 3023

Thursday October 22nd, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. @ Tutto Market Cafe, Downtown Oshawa

Thursday October 22nd, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. ONLINE via Adobe Connect

Take the Lead: Discover Your Leadership Skills

Wednesday November 18th, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. @ Tutto Market Cafe, Downtown Oshawa

Thursday November 19th, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in UB3023

Thursday November 19th, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. ONLINE via Adobe Connect

Find Your Calm: Wellness & Balance During Exams

Tuesday December 1st, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in UB 3023

Wednesday December 2nd, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. @ Tutto Market Cafe, Downtown Oshawa

Thursday December 3rd, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. ONLINE via Adobe Connect

For further information on MTPS events visit their Facebook page, or go to MTPS website or email them at mtpssupport@uoit.ca.

A little look into my life…

**WARNING: Extremely personal and may cause triggers- please read with caution and respect

This post is a little different than anything I’ve seen but I feel that for people to understand and connect with my posts, I should start out by explaining my story.

Hi, my name is Danielle and I have depression/anxiety. In my 21 years life hasn’t been exactly as easy as one would hope for. As a child, I never understood the effect of traumatic situations and what it could later trigger, I mean what child does?

Campus Events: Mental Health Awareness Week

On Monday October 5th, Mental Health Awareness will officially be underway! There will be events happening all week, at the North and Downtown campuses. Below is a list and a little information about each event, and we hope to see you there!

Students will also have the opportunity to enter to win a number of prizes, including Generals tickets, Ridgeback gear, and a UOIT gift basket!

These prizes, and MORE, are up for grabs during MHAW! Go to an event to learn how you could win some Ridgeback swag, Generals tickets, or a UOIT gift basket!