[winterglen]

There is just some part of my brain that doesn't recognize that things that I say or do are wrong. I misunderstand what people are talking about or what they expect of me. I act on these misunderstandings, then I get punished or ostracized for saying, thinking, or doing the wrong thing.

I brought up a controversial topic in class. We were discussing controversial topics, and, stupid me, I wanted to participate. So I point out something in the topic we are studying. The teacher took that as my personal disapproval and told me it was wrong to think that way.

I tried to explain that I didn't think that way, but that just made it worse. It made me look like a spineless weasel. But it was entirely my fault. I shouldn't have assumed that it was okay to talk about things I observe in a freaking discussion class.

How can I overcome this? Nobody else has these problems understanding what is and isn't appropriate. Why can't I just understand what I'm supposed to understand? Why don't I get it?

[kaliope]

now that I have read what you did in your other post, I do not see anything inappropriate in what you said in class. I think it was a valid contribution. I am an a student and it is one I would have thought of myself based on the discussion you describe. you did nothing wrong. do not put yourself down because you have a teacher who doesn't allow freedom of expression. you guys veered off her lesson plan and she didn't know how to bring it back on track is probably what happened. have confidence in yourself and take care.

[DarrenPH]

I do the same thing as you, when participating in a conversation I don't stop to think I just blurt out whatever is on my mind, over the years I've learned to accept this as a part of me, you would not believe how many times I've embarrassed myself by doing this. I've done it some many times that embarrassment is just a part of my life now, I've got so used to it that it hardly ever bothers me anymore.

If you want to learn a little more about it, there's a link below that I have found to be useful. I've had this printed out and stuck on my desk at work to remind me. It doesn't bother me anymore but I am conscious that it may have a detrimental effect on my career so I do try to curb the impulse to speak before thinking at work and this helps.

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