Support groups. Also do labels matter? Do you find fellowship among the neurodiverse almost exclusively?
Support groups. Also do labels matter? Do you find fellowship among the neurodiverse almost exclusively?
Hey. I often have met friends and partners through mental health agencies, support groups and peer support groups. I have also dated the neurodiverse when I've met them through work. I almost exclusively have a social network of oddballs and before that it was oddballs and alcoholics/junkies.
The people I get along with are often schizo-bipolars, bipolors, borerlines and ASD.
At times people have been suspicious of me because though I don't drink I do other drugs. People get worried that drug use itself is evidence I would try to get vulnerable partners on drugs. That would be evil and most users are not. When I was addicted I either with a married woman who was disappointed I didn't use heroin, who had ASD. Her friend had contacted lies about me and got a group of people to go along with her BS.
Or I was with a woman I didn't love who loved me more than any other one did and kinda broke her heart by stringing her along as I was high all the time. I feel bad about it but I didn't get her started on drugs.
Some people are also cynical about why I would utilize groups, comparing me to Ed Nortton in Fight Club. While I identify with the movie in certain anarchist and bipolar ways, I am not faking anything.
I have led the groups at times and thought I might work in the field. I definitely will not after meeting dozens upon dozens of troubled folks.
It's tough to try to be open with all groups about who I am. NT and Heteronormatives are suspicious about dating the neurodiverse or having a good proportion of LGBT friends as well.