Was Michael Jackson autistic or one of the most famous people with Exposure Anxiety?
 Michael Jackson was a fascinating human. But as much as the autistic community wants to claim him as an icon, he was likely only as autistic or not as most members of the human race. But whether he had Exposure Anxiety, a condition easily confused with (and which commonly co-occurs with autism) is another question, and perhaps he had more of that than most.
As a performer he was fearless, wildly creative, innovative, in his own world and a league of his own. As a person, he was somewhere between painfully shy and extremely vigilant. In his interviews he’d fluctuate between almost autistic in his avoidance of direct touch, eye contact and his voice could retreat to a timid whisper. Then, in the blink of an eye, he could confront before, just as quick, he’d be gone again. His gaze, when not performing, was fleeting, his body speaking the typical fight-flight postures of Exposure Anxiety. And like those with Exposure Anxiety who find freedom in doing not ‘as oneself’, ‘by oneself’ or ‘for oneself’, he could reach amazing heights of expression when in the role of performer or philanthropist.
Akin to those with Exposure Anxiety, he found it easier to be around animals and in relative solitude and was fascinated with a man who spent most of his life hiding; The Elephant Man. Michael Jackson could sing with the passion of the gods, but in public conversation seemed afraid of the sound of his own voice. He could perform and pose with the confidence of a super model, but spent large parts of his adulthood, removing himself from the exposure of his own face. He spent his life connecting with other people but put a glove between them and the exposed contact of a handshake.
Watching him some years ago when I first wrote of Exposure Anxiety, I felt an urge to write to him about Exposure Anxiety, but didn’t. Ironically, I felt it was too exposing to do something so personal, especially in the direction of someone already so public, so exposed. Two weeks ago I listed him on my blog in an article on Exposure Anxiety in which I listed famous people who may have had Exposure Anxiety and I wondered how any of those on that list might feel being associated with the condition. Now, I feel Michael Jackson will not have to feel the excruciating nature of exposure or walk the tightrope in which Exposure Anxiety allows performers to live a life by proxy which it would never allow them in their personal world.
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Donna Williams, Dip Ed, BA Hons.
Author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter.
Autism consultant and public speaker.
Ever the arty Autie.
http://www.donnawilliams.net
http://www.aspinauts.com
This is really interesting about Michael Jackson. I am mesmerised by him, the same as so many people are, and wondered along the way if there was some Autism there, but not really knowing enough about his private world, or perhaps about Autism either, to be able to judge. His giftedness speaks of something extraordinary. I must read your book on Exposure Anxiety. Recent events in the online communities have plunged me deeply into further understanding Autism. There are splashes of it throughout my family, bringing joy, wonder and sometimes pain and confusion, but curiosity compels me to keep exploring this whole other way of thinking and perceiving the world around us.
Years and years ago I saw a program about the Jacksons and it struck me how much the child Michael was prevented from doing the things that children do. He wanted to play with a little toy car and was made to rehearse instead. I think he never grew up and tried desperately to live his childhood. He had many of the characteristics of an abused child including a strong projection of self hatred and self harm. People who have suffered the sustained trauma of child abuse may present as autistic. There are many similar characteristics and related conditions and it can be hard to determine the difference.
Yes, if psychological trauma can cause brain damage in adults, then what must it do to infants only able to interpret their experiences through their senses?
Some autistics are saying that Scottish singer Susan Boyle is AS, but her face is expressive, not blank. Oprah looked worried when Susan got up to demonstrate the eccentric body movements she displayed when she presented herself to the judges on the British TV show. But they were no stranger than Tom Cruise standing up on the lounge and jumping up and down like a child…Eccentricity can be very much in the eye of the beholder.