What is the difference between coping in the work environment and having a meltdown;
1) The amount of face-to-face and verbal contact. My second manager at Virgin Active was in my face all the time. My main form of communication is by email, SMS etc which is much better for me than the kind that requires direct social interaction.
2) Whether or not it is a quiet environment. I have sensory overload problems so I need QUIET. I picked myself a spot in the gym and made it my own, it was quiet and lacking in people and gym equipment. My boss forced me out of there and into the main gym area which had too much lighting that gave me headaches and made me feel nauseous and tired and on edge.
3) At Rolls Royce I was bullied, at Virgin they attempted to bully me and in my last job at E3 they kicked me out after 3 weeks. Although they were pleased with the quality of my work, they didn't like having someone who was 'different' and anti-social despite the fact that I was always polite to them. The owner also wasn't keen on me "always being right" and showing him up for the dumbass he was.
So, to sum up, I like to be left alone to get on with my work, I don't want to verbally communicate when an email would suffice. Writing things down saves people having to stop their work and means I can re-review it without having to come and ask again.
I don't want to be involved in idle gossiping aI'd rather be left alone to get on with work and only interrupted when absolutely necessary (and then, where possible I prefer the interruption to be via email). Hell I should be popular if I'm more productive.
Oh and I don't want to go to the Christmas party (if I last that long I probably wouldn't be invited anyway). Work for me is a chance to do what I love and do it well, not a chance to socialise...