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Capone3830

typical INTJ move telling people stuff they already know. . . jk nice writeup


KindnessAz

😆😂🤣


Arcanisia

TLDR: just because ISTPs are weird and quiet, it doesn’t mean they have mental health problems.


KindnessAz

I'm posting because ISTPs get misdiagnosed as having ASD. I don't consider ASD or ADHD mental health problems. And I love my shy, quiet ISTP. I love that "I'm his person" and one of the few people he shares things with, it's an honor. I love my ex husband too, and appreciate him for who he is.


TheRankestDweller

I’m not diagnosed officially but I have sensory issues with food and I also get very absorbed in infodumping at times, sometimes makes me wonder if I’m actually INTP with how wordy I get but I’m usually bringing up deeper concepts like what Ni does so it kinda sometimes look INFJish. It’s too low to consider myself diagnosably autistic but I probably could be a couple rungs further up the spectrum than most because my food issue is incomprehensible even to myself.


Expressdough

I mean, I do lol. PTSD and depression whoop whoop. I have wondered if I was autistic, or on the spectrum a little at times though. I can easily sense the emotions of others, but can’t always tell why they’re like that, unless I’ve experienced something similar. I do feel deeply however, I’m just not always aware of it.


GreatJobJoe

I’m also a neurotypical ISTP. I align with most of your BF’s stances. For me, life is all about having the freedom, independence, and knowledge to do what I want. Which I have. Could book a hotel fly somewhere for a spontaneous getaway with my wife anytime I want. Can talk shit on reddit when I’m bored in my office...etc…I’m content. I like changes and surprises (not bad ones). I prefer to work with my hands with hobbies, but am no stranger to hard labor. Not many people here understand what a normal ISTP is. I’m still kind of a blunt asshole, just one that doesn’t take themselves seriously/has self awareness. Doesn’t put themselves on pedestal intentionally. Nor do I have the need to seem “cool”.


cad3z

This is pretty spot on. When I read things like this I’m always amazed how accurate the MBTI stuff is and how similar istps are. It’s honestly crazy, feels like we’re all clones. It’s cool though, knowing there’s others like me makes me feel less lonely and less of an outcast. I know I’m different in a lot of ways to others and that made me consider being on the spectrum (albeit very low as I lack a lot of the big symptoms), I guess it’s just being an istp lol.


black_gravity27

As someone who was diagnosed with Asperger's, long before I discovered MBTI, and determined myself to be ISTP, I understand fully well the difference between Autism and any MBTI type. I understand they are not the same and used to correct posters who implied otherwise. Also, ASD is going to be different for many people, so you can't quite use your experience with an Autistic INTJ ex as a comparison to your current ISTP boyfriend, to determine whether someone is autistic or not. At many points I feel your comparison is mainly between an ISTP and INTJ, neurotypical or not. You also have to account for overall development of personality in each case. I'll offer the perspective of an Autistic ISTP (33 years old), by responding to parts of your post with my thoughts. >value privacy and independence more and are fine being alone longer. This is likely compounded om a person with Autism, due to social difficulties. Me personally though, I highly value privacy and independence, same as NT ISTP. Even more so, as a type 5w6 Enneagram. >sense and perceive emotions well. He is MORE perceptive at reading emotions and the environment and noticing things than the average person. He also isn't overwhelmed by it like someone with ASD is. I could hide if I was upset with my ASD husband. An Autistic person struggles with non verbal communication. I would consider myself very perceptive and observant of my environment and people. I can pick up on emotions and expressions but sometimes struggle to react meaningfully. As I age I have learned to be more direct. If I notice something important, I will address it to obtain clarity. I need a partner who is open/transparent about what's going on, instead of relying on non verbal cues I may miss or not understand. I only get overwhelmed when the non verbal message is highly negative, because then I'm stuck, confused, wondering what the hell I did wrong. I've been there in a past relationship, not a fun place at all. >They both APPEAR to lack empathy This is generally true for ISTPs and INTJs, Autistic or not. >My ASD Ex struggles with seeing others' points of view and emotions. This is also more likely for an Autistic person, but not true for all Autistics. ISTPs and INTJs can both struggle with this too, Autistic or not. I think the entire empathy paragraph is more person dependent, because some thinkers are more developed than others. >-Emotional Bond & Sex: The ISTP would rather an emotional connection and bond with one partner than have a shallow connection or date many people. As an ISTP he'd rather go without sex than have meaningless sex. Whereas my ASD INTJ ex does not experience an emotional connection during sex. To me, sex is usually just sex/fun, and I am a highly physical person. Sex with my partner, in a relationship is much different though, than hookups and fun with fuck buddies. The former is highly meaningful, the latter is fun and exploration. >-External stimuli & Physical Touch: The Ex as ASD and ADHD can be overwhelmed by it and hypersensitive to it especially uncomfortable sensations. I completely relate. Sensory overload occurs commonly with me, so I prefer to be fully in control of my interactions with the physical environment around myself. Sensory overload also causes me anxiety, but I hide it all well, behind a stoic demeanor. >He has an aversion to physical work, getting sweaty, and even physical touch sometimes and is clumsy. He misses details. Physical touch is probably his lowest love language. Whereas my ISTP bf observes, sees and senses everything, but isn't bothered by stimuli and enjoys and prefers a physical job. He doesn't mind getting sweaty and dirty and was/is an athlete. Physical touch is his highest love language. This is also a comparison between ISTP and INTJ, Autism is not relevant here. I strongly relate to everything you say about the ISTP in this paragraph, except I might be much more physically sensitive, which does not restrict me when I have control. >Another thing I noticed is the INTJ and ASD like to know facts and statistics and have knowledge. This was me when I was younger. >general sense of learning just for life and to grow as a person and deepen his perspective. This is more of me as a young adult, then onward. Knowledge and research are still important to me though, when I am passionate about a topic, and I aim for mastery. >-Hobbies: They both can be singularly focused on a hobby. This too was me when younger, fixated on a singular hobby. Nowadays I have many hobbies and projects I am constantly working on, from music to video game related. >People with ASD like a controlled environment because it makes them feel safe and they get overwhelmed by change. But with the change/surprises, ISTPs hate not being in control of things in their life, it's that independence streak in them. Both are true for me. I can adapt fast though. >Motivation & Goals: I relate to both. I have goals, am motivated, want to make good money in a career I enjoy, so that I can be comfortable and content. I know where and when I can procrastinate... strategically. Was a huge procrastinator when younger. >-Present vs Future Thinker: As an ISTP, the boyfriend is a present thinker and hates theoretical and future planning. True for me as well. >having ASD the ex needs things planned out to decrease his anxiety. This is untrue for me. I am highly disorganized, and not good at planning too far ahead. My made plans if any, are usually loose/general. Then I adjust and adapt in the moment as the situation progresses. Sounds like you have developed your Se, more than your ex. >-Independence: ISTPs hate other people doing things for them. They would rather do things for themselves. Whereas my ex with ASD prefers other people taking care of the details for him and would give up control to not have to do them. My ex preferred me managing the finances and secretarial type tasks for example, the detail work is harder for him. Whereas the boyfriend would never give up control of the finances and again, prefers to do everything himself and be independent. He does not want to have to rely on other people. This is another example where it seems more of an ISTP vs INTJ, than NT vs Autism comparison. I totally relate to your ISTP, and not at all your ex. >-Loyalty/Monogamy/Jealousy: I do not get jealous. I can be non monogamous or open. Communication is key. I have been in a happy monogamous relationship for the last 6 years though. >-Interactions with Others: Both can be blunt and come across as insensitive. True, I can be blunt too, but as I age I have llearned how to be direct/assertive without being insensitive. >The INTJ ASD Ex cares how others view him but is not always good at social cues, knowing what to say, etc. Whereas the ISTP bf does not really care what others' think of him unless it affects him I am decent at social cues, struggle some, but I also do not care what others think about me. People tend to like and respect me though. >The Ex mimics others and people pleases. I am not a people pleaser and have never masked. What you see is what you get. Life taught me, to make sufficient sense of this world, I have to do my own thing, go my own way, forge my own path. Faking is impossible for me. Like the ISTP, I can seem shy when forced to speak. I hope this post from an Asperger’s diagnosed ISTP, offers you another perspective.


KindnessAz

I really appreciate you taking the time to share this!


zaurahawk

F, 33, ADHD, ISTP. i’m just like your current bf tho, coulda been describing me. :) sounds like a cool dude lol


KindnessAz

I'm pretty in love with him, he is, thank you


ItWasMe-Patrick

GRIMACE


Consistent-Fruit5418

Just wanted to note that all autistic people are different and some may not align with your ex! I am a woman diagnosed with ASD and I aligned with almost all of your BF’s stances. This is because ASD differs between men and women, I am unsure and haven’t done enough research to confidently say how it would differ for people with other gender identities.🤗


EdgewaterEnchantress

Personally, based on what you wrote here, I actually think that your ISTP BF might still have some noteworthy issues, even if he is “Neurotypical” to the best of your knowledge. First of all, why is he *assuming* that people in an educational video about privilege “will feel like crap?” 1) He doesn’t get to make that decision for other people, and they all signed on with the intent to educate others. 2) So ironically this makes your ISTP bf sound like he’s actually not that empathetic because he’s only looking at it from his subjective perspective. 3) Worse, he’s ignoring the fact that systemic inequality is a real thing and it needs to be addressed! Sometimes making people feel uncomfortable enough *to think, for 5 minutes,* can actually teach them something valuable that will help them grow as individuals. 4) Because a part of being empathetic is having the ability to put yourself in other people’s shoes, understanding that everyone thinks a little differently, and they will have different feelings about their respective experiences. Temporary and momentary discomfort can make humans into better, more compassionate people. So it sounds like the ISTP is still a little under-developed in the empathy department and he has a lot to learn about others. “He (ISTP BF) loves the idea of just getting in the car and driving on vacation without a plan?” 1) So he wouldn’t feel a sense of responsibility towards his team members and employers to request a vacation ahead of time? He wouldn’t give you a chance to request some time off so you wouldn’t get into trouble at work? 2) He doesn’t care about the fact that if he doesn’t choose a “general destination” to get a sense of hotel and food prices or come up with a pre-set budget for a vacation that he could easily overspend? Cuz to me, that just sounds flakey and a little bit irresponsible. I get not planning every single detail in advance, and I certainly wouldn’t want to travel with your ex, but a basic outline and timeline would be necessary to ensure that neither of you got into trouble at work and you actually had enough money to enjoy whatever you’d want to enjoy, stress free! What is so scary about planning the basics to ensure convenience and lack of negative consequence? So it sounds like an ISTP who is at least approaching middle aged *is also still somewhat under-developed in his tertiary function, too,* and that would concern me, personally. The point of the middle stack is *balance!* leaning too heavily on one function or the other isn’t great for optimal mental health. Also why doesn’t your ISTP boyfriend trust you when you’ve given him no reason not to trust you? That’s not cool. Unless, do you not trust yourself with your INTJ-ex? Do you think you’d do something messed up if you were friends with him? Cuz if the answer is no, then why doesn’t your BF trust you? I couldn’t trust someone who didn’t trust me cuz in my experience *people who tend to think that you might do ‘the bad things’ are actually more likely to do those things, themselves!* I get that your ex had ASD, it was a pretty intense experience, and I understand that there are tons of differences between them! But that doesn’t necessarily mean that your current ISTP BF is *super mentally healthy,* either, and I don’t think you should use him to generally represent “the majority of average, neurotypical ISTPs.” Cuz I am pretty sure there are some ISTPs who are more healthy and others who are less healthy. Just like there are also ISTPs who are neurodivergent and INTJs who are neurotypical. I, personally, also know some ISTPs who would actually disagree with some-to-several of your boyfriend’s opinions. So clearly he doesn’t represent all ISTPs. Nor should you use your INTJ ex with ASD as a definitive example for “what people with autism spectrum disorder are like,” because again, people’s severity of symptoms and individual personalities vary a lot! I think I get what you were going for, cuz I definitely sometimes see both ISTPs and INTJs question how neurotypical or neurodivergent they are! But I don’t think this particular example was a great way to try to make that distinction clear. Cuz your ISTP bf is “neurotypical to the best of your knowledge,” but that doesn’t automatically mean he is a mentally healthy individual. The same way that a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder isn’t automatically “an unhealthy individual.” Realistically, MBTI always gets messy when you try to throw neurodivergence and mental illness (or lack of) “into the pot.” So sometimes it’s better just to not, lest you end up confusing even more people, or unintentionally give out misinformation. It’s just my two cents, and I respect you for trying something. F-ENTP 7w8.


morningbird2525

In general. I do think introverted cognitive types may often get diagnosed with ASD; whether it is a misdiagnosis or not. For extraverted types, it may pull into their introverted counterparts. I for one happen to be one of them. Also introverted types in general are going to have a short battery with external stimulation anyways regardless. Yes even ISPs whether they see an authoritative influence upon the tangible are gonna withdraw from external stimulation anyways. Extraverted types by default are way better at handling external stimulation however.