new here

Post Reply New Topic

I was just diagnosed a little over a week ago. I had a big melt down and wound up in a psych facility where I was diagnosed. Knowing what is "wrong" with me is like a weight lifted off my shoulders. Reading the forum here I feel conected to other people which doesn't happen often for me. School was hell, college ok, if the subject matter was intereseting to me. I have managerd to earn a living the past 30 years at home with my own biz. I rarely make eye contact. I look at mouths, I am awkward and stumble, have been told my gate is odd, I could go on and on.

All in all I'd say I'm ok and have done pretty well but it has not been easy. It's nice to finally find some understanding. But I also feel regret for not knowing sooner.

I guess I'd better stay positive tho.

Welcome to WrongPlanet.

welcome. I am sorry you had to end up in a psych center to be diagnosed. You are lucky though because most psych centers look for things like bipolar, and BPD and OCD when someone nuts up and then you get put on medication that causes serious side effects. I know about nutting up too...not much fun. Well there are the obvious "curses" of autism, there are also overlooked "gifts" of autism as well. Like I have a lifetime obsession with poetry, art and writing that have led me some interesting places.
Pay attention to what you really enjoy doing...what really keeps your interest and dive in to it as deep as you can go...thats one of the best gifts I autism has...is I can entertain myself quite well in things that utterly facinate me.
And it doesn't matter if you are "good" at what interests you...that will come in time.

And then there is the "outside world" as I call it. I like to think that I am not the one with the problem...the rest of the world is. You will find alot of that kind of thinking here too. What I like most about this site is it is cool and fun to be a "nerd". I think we need to have nerd queen and king contests...not based on how we look or how cool we are but how much useless but neverless facinating information we can come up with. I think that would be neat.

Anyway, my name is Jojo.

I understand where you're coming from. I didn't find out I had AS until after 30 too. The perspective of "All in all I'd say I'm ok and have done pretty well but it has not been easy" is kind of liberating isn't it? I hope you enjoy your stay here. You'll probably learn allot about yourself by learning about some of the other members.

Big imaginary Aspie air hug. Welcome aboard nelleh!

Welcome to WP!

OMG!! ! Did Dr Butler threaten to Baker Act you "for up to six months" and put you on maximum doses of two of the heaviest hitting head medications when you checked yourself in to get checked out for AS after freaking out when you found out you were Autistic too? (kidding/sating I've been there too, and it wasn't fun as you've already said.)

Thanks for the welcome.

I just had a sort of revelation. Having not been socially accepted for my entire 50 yrs and feeling that I was an out cast.......I want to climb to the roof tops and shout "Finally I have an explanation for why I am the way I am and shame on all who were mean to me!"

Best, nelleh

Just be careful how loud you shout. I wouldn't want to see you get Dr Butlered.

I found out that writing an email to the president wasn't acceptable behavior and got myself Dr Butlered after accepting a ride to "get some help" from one of the 10 policemen that were dispatched to check on me.

Good point!

To WrongPlanet!! !

Hello nelleh, welcome, enjoy your stay on the Wrong Planet!

Welcome to WrongPlanet!

Thank you!

Hi Nelleh and welcome to join in the Wrong but for us very Right Planet!
I know its difficult to get diagnosed in adult age. The first time after diagnosis can be very overwhelming. Like seeing your whole life passing by in one week of thoughts. I hope you find this forum useful and that you by the time can find what is You in AS and take care of the good sides of it. Its a wonderful start to stay positive

Welcome to WP.