A "glass wall" between myself and others

[SDRSpark]

Lately I've been describing my inability to connect with most other people beyond superficial acquaintanceship as feeling like there's a glass wall between myself and them. I can see them, and talk to them, but I can't really feel any connection with them. (It's been like this my entire life, my earliest memory of being aware of my struggle to make friends/connections was in 2nd or 3rd grade when I asked the school guidance counselor for help, but he wasn't able to give me any advice that actually helped.)

I really thought I was the only one who saw/felt/described it this way, but in another group I came across a handful of people using the same description, and someone mentioned that it's actually a common feeling. Can anyone here relate?

 

[Raggamuffin]

Most people I find I can't relate to. What they do and say doesn't relate to what I find appealing or noteworthy. I suppose I find most people tedious, so there isn't a real drive to become friends with any of these types. I try and keep things formal, brief and polite.

The few people I do get on well with tend to be few and far between. Even then, I don't feel the need to socialise incessantly. It seems the people I'm drawn towards tend to be a little different, or odd. I know I'm not what you'd consider "normal" but when I look at what is supposedly normal - I'm glad I have no interest in it: because it looks boring.

I must admit, as I've got older I'm finding it increasingly more challenging to relate to people. I would've thought with more and more exposure to people - I'd get better at it. Whilst I feel like I'm better at coping with new or crowded scenarios, I feel like I'm more guarded around people than ever.

I think my circle of concern grows smaller with age, and my patience is wearing increasingly thinner. Thus, most people will continue to be off-putting.

The literal glass wall for me is that most of my closest friendships are online. Thus, the glass wall is a screen. It's a lot easier maintaining a friendship when I can choose when to initiate or end a conversation. There's too many variables in a typical conversation, especially if it's a group convo.

Ed

 

[Ezra]

I totally relate. I have used the glass wall analogy many times.

 

[menander]

Yes, me, too. Only I often see it like I am riding on top of my head. Don't laugh

 

[Progster]

Yes, I can relate. Before I had my diagnosis, I called it 'watching TV' because that is how it feels, like watching people from behind a screen.

 

[Gift2humanity]

Lately I've been describing my inability to connect with most other people beyond superficial acquaintanceship as feeling like there's a glass wall between myself and them. I can see them, and talk to them, but I can't really feel any connection with them. (It's been like this my entire life, my earliest memory of being aware of my struggle to make friends/connections was in 2nd or 3rd grade when I asked the school guidance counselor for help, but he wasn't able to give me any advice that actually helped.)

I really thought I was the only one who saw/felt/described it this way, but in another group I came across a handful of people using the same description, and someone mentioned that it's actually a common feeling. Can anyone here relate?

I remember in my thirties telling someone I felt like I was in a glass cube, cut off from everyone, I could not describe it better than that. You put it more succinctly.

 

[Fino]

Yep!

 

[elbowgrease]

I thought of it as something like being trapped in a bubble, and have come to think of it as being trapped in my brain.

 

[Aspychata]

It use to be disturbing to me. Now l see it has an important survival tool. If you are cut off (glass wall) then it's harder for tomfoolery to hook and engage you. Such as romance scams, fraud and emotional blackmail of any kind including marriage scam.
l have learned to put the wall down with certain people. But most of the time, l am in my bubble.

 

[SDRSpark]

Wow, so this actually is a really common sensation! Fascinating!

 

[Aspychata]

l go through phases of it. Sometimes l am all out and deal with stuff and sometimes l just observe from my 2 way mirror. I guess it's the glass wall mask where l will just play along with said situation until l figure out the storyline in action.

 

[AprilR]

Yes, i feel that way too. I have a very close friend in some ways, but in some ways we are not close at all. Because i have always acted a certain way to gain friends.
Even when i have nothing in common with a person i try to befriend them. But then i feel lonely with them. I have felt close to 2 people in my life before, and they're both not in my life now.