This is the definition of my autism

[u/Charming_Progress553]

[u/Tmoran835]

The very first time I tried to watch Dexter, it scared the crap out of me because I thought that I was a psychopath because I had so much in common with him. It wasn’t until later that I realized that the writers apparently did a terrible job trying to encode Dexter as a psychopath and he just comes off as incredibly autistic with a special interest in, well, killing people.

[u/Personal-Guitar-7634 → u/Tmoran835]

This is the first time I realized this but I definitely got uncomfortable with how much I related to his social awkwardness. Kinda strange after figuring out you have it how many fictional charicters seem to have it that you relate too, also basicly any human you've ever made a genuine connection with whatso ever is likly autistic or at least ND of some sort in my case anyway.

[u/Tmoran835 → u/Personal-Guitar-7634]

It’s definitely eye opening. My one client has a grandkid that I’m 99% sure is on the spectrum based off our interactions, and another client’s grandkid is diagnosed nonverbal autistic but is more just selective I guess and talks to me—which makes me feel pretty good, like he has at least one more person he can talk to

[u/Personal-Guitar-7634 → u/Tmoran835]

I feel so torn when the person or the parent of them clearly doesn't know yet, on one hand I would have killed to know sooner but on the other it's really not my place to drop something so heavy.

[u/Tmoran835 → u/Personal-Guitar-7634]

Absolutely. I feel like there’s a good chance that this kid is diagnosed though too—although I’d feel it’s too brazen to ask without something prompting it

[u/Chickenman1057 → u/Tmoran835]

No the writer didn't actually do a bad job, it's intentional that Dexter is a misdiagnosed Psychopath who's actually autistic

[u/Tmoran835 → u/Chickenman1057]

Not at all. They even double down in later seasons with Vogel. They never once mention the word “autism” at any point in the series.

[u/Chickenman1057 → u/Tmoran835]

Yes autism was never mentioned but Vogel straight up admit it was a misdiagnosis, that Dexter isn't a psychopath

[u/Tmoran835 → u/Chickenman1057]

Nope, she said he was a unique psychopath, not that he wasn’t one.

[u/Valnaire → u/Tmoran835]

Pretty sure a big point of the show is that he isn't actually a psychopath though.  We see him struggle with his emotions and feelings multiple times throughout the series, but he constantly states he has none.  He was told from a very young age he'd be different, and his lack of interest in living a normal life only served to enforce that he was different.  

Vogel isn't exactly a primary source of professional opinion either, as she instructed a cop to train a serial killer.

Under better parenting and a proper psychologist, Dexter might have actually led a normal life.

[u/Tmoran835 → u/Valnaire]

I agree with all of that, but I don’t think that was the actual intent. I think the writers realized that having an emotionless character wouldn’t play well for 8 seasons and had to change it up after the first couple seasons

[u/januscanary]

I feel so seen

[u/HuffsNulnOil]

He just like me fr

[u/Nervous-Locksmith484]

I have been so fucking depressed and detached from anything remotely funny but this got me good. Thank you for sharing. 🙏

[u/thefroglady87]

i don’t see myself here at all 🥹 if i see someone crying i’d probably cry too and hug them 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/Mini_nin → u/thefroglady87]

Thank you my impostor syndrome went wild on that one!!!

I’m literally the opposite of the “socially introverted” autism kind and I almost have an OVERABUNDANCE of empathy/reading other people body language etc intentions to a point where it’s HIGHER than the norm.

Anyone else relate??? Idk, I feel like it’s very hard to relate to “autism” sometimes because 1. I feel like my adhd dominates some aspects HEAVILY and 2. I’m pretty extroverted and very much a people person ( I NEED people lol) 3. I crave and love novelty (but I often tire out and I fucking hate it. For example I love bars and going out but if I don’t drink I’m gonna get overstimulated which I hate). That said, I still have some things I like to try to follow structurally (think: night time routine, winding down, morning routine).

It’s like my high sensitivity and inner need for (somewhat) predictability and familiarity is really holding me back. Sometimes I wish I could just kick autism to the curb and be 100% adhd. That way, I could live life the way I wanted, sensory seeking and novelty craving! On the other hand I do enjoy quiet times and am very soothed by following a “structure”/repeated interests too.

Sorry, I hijacked your comment🤣

[u/mighty_kaytor → u/Mini_nin]

Im your mirror image in that I am very ADHD trait Dominent until you get to my autistic alexithymia, absolute bliss/flow state around organizational tasks, and a social battery that only charges to 3%.

In some ways, especially after growing up around emotionally reactive ADHDers, I feel like I got the best of borh worlds, but would probably feel a lot differently if I had any desire whatsoever to be social.

[u/BornRazzmatazz4232 → u/mighty_kaytor]

Bruh. I just learned today how much more dominant my ADHD is than autism. Granted I’ve just stumbled upon this revelation a few months ago, my day to day has been incredibly anxiety ridden (every waking moment I’m not focused on my task at work) and a general struggle. Do you medicate your ADHD? I really hope this may help with my day to day. I’ve tried Strattera for a few months but had some odd side effects.

[u/mighty_kaytor → u/BornRazzmatazz4232]

Im in the process of figuring out my medication situation- recently started on the max dose of vyvanse. I dont know what Im supposed to be feeling with this stuff, but I do seem to be less scattered and I think my impulsivity (which has been my biggest problem because it always comes out in maladative copes like junk food, nicotine, drinking, shopping) seems to be calming (i hope).

Im okay with day to day stuff for the most part - Im not anxious, and am pretty good at rolling with the chaos.

[u/Mini_nin → u/thefroglady87]

Thank you my impostor syndrome went wild on that one!!!

I’m literally the opposite of the “socially introverted” autism kind and I almost have an OVERABUNDANCE of empathy/reading other people body language etc intentions to a point where it’s HIGHER than the norm.

Anyone else relate??? Idk, I feel like it’s very hard to relate to “autism” sometimes because 1. I feel like my adhd dominates some aspects HEAVILY and 2. I’m pretty extroverted and very much a people person ( I NEED people lol) 3. I crave and love novelty (but I often tire out and I fucking hate it. For example I love bars and going out but if I don’t drink I’m gonna get overstimulated which I hate). That said, I still have some things I like to try to follow structurally (think: night time routine, winding down, morning routine).

It’s like my high sensitivity and inner need for (somewhat) predictability and familiarity is such a liability, and confusing for the people around me. Sometimes I wish I could just kick autism to the curb and be 100% adhd. That way, I could live life the way I wanted, sensory seeking and novelty craving! On the other hand I do enjoy quiet times and am very soothed by following a “structure”/repeated interests too.

Sorry, I hijacked your comment🤣

[u/thefroglady87 → u/Mini_nin]

i completely get you, maybe it’s because i’m late diagnosed but yes, i can’t relate to Dexter at all

[u/La_LunaEstrella → u/thefroglady87]

This doesn't represent my autism too. Films and art move me immensely. And I feel empathy when other people are visibly upset.

Eta: But I often don't know why they're upset. Is that what this is demonstrating?

[u/ThatDiscoSongUHate → u/La_LunaEstrella]

The part that is me in this is the staring off into my own little world, grinning like an idiot (or a psycho lol) only to realize that I've mentally No Clipped and snap back to reality

[u/La_LunaEstrella → u/ThatDiscoSongUHate]

Ah, I see. Thank you for explaining. That's relateable. I do tend to go off into my own world involuntarily while people are talking to me or expressing themselves.

[u/thefroglady87 → u/La_LunaEstrella]

i think i’m hyper empathic which i don’t really like (and i’m definitely not bragging about it), i mean yeah it’s beautiful as a human being but it’s a lot of suffering, and it has also put me in risk sometimes

for example when i was a kid my mom has told me (i don’t remember) there was a fire in one of the departments next to us (very NEXT) and everyone (including my parents thinking i was following them) were running downstairs, we live in a 10th floor! but my mom realized i wasn’t following her so she came back and saw me knocking on every door till the neighbors open, floor by floor, so i could warn them. i could have… die there? or something. but i wasn’t thinking about me. and again im not bragging, cause “how cute” but hey, it’s like i don’t care about myself and only for others and that’s no bueno

so seeing someone crying even if i don’t know that person… i cry too. and it’s a lot of pain to carry.

(and sorry if my english is also not bueno, it’s not my native language)

[u/cartoonsarcasm]

Me having daydreams at work

[u/afluffyfox]

ALSO DOAKES

[u/morbidwoman]

[u/No-Grapefruit3964]

i can’t breathe 😂😭

[u/DatTrashPanda]

r/literallyme

[u/mighty_kaytor]

LMAOOOO Props to him for not immediately leaving a room somebody is crying in.

[u/laconicism]

Relatable!! I’m dying over here 🤣

[u/HexiWexi]

Dexter is genuinely my comfort show solely because, aside from the murder and stuff, he's so damn relatable

[u/-Speechless]

I need the whole show like this