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Old Oct 18, 2013, 07:36 AM
Staple Staple is offline
Junior Member
 
Member Since: Nov 2007
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 10
I had similar problems when I was in high school. I didn't have claustrophobia or a fear of being touched, but I'd never socialize and was way more interested in memorizing things and being an information sponge. I'd spend hours memorizing maps, memorizing organic chemistry nomenclature, studying law and organization of the government, rules, policies, etc. Even today, ten years later, I'm still pretty much only interested in these kinds of things. I forgo invitations to hang out with friends because I feel like I'd spend my time better at home reading highly advanced math books. And of course I then complain about not having friends and get depressed.

I think the best advice I can give is: (1) embrace your idiosyncrasies (if others, including your parents, don't understand them, then they aren't qualified to say whether they're "good" or "bad"), (2) try to socialize more (this is where I messed up), and it may be difficult in high school. You might have a better chance of finding similar people in college, but either way, you should try to identify similar people and hang out with them. Isolation isn't fun, and not socializing will never help. I couldn't really relate to anyone in high school, but my fellow math majors in undergrad had similar quirks, and I should have socialized with them more rather than being a recluse throughout college as well. (3) socialize with people online too (which you're obviously already doing), and try to find people with similar interests too if you haven't already.

But yeah, the key thing: if you identify with someone in person, you should try to befriend them. I regret not doing this more.
Thanks for this!
Ihani