05 Apr 2012, 2:54 am
Hi all,
I'm currently trying to determine if I'm an aspie. I'm a little hesitant to self-diagnose; I strongly relate to many of the traits of Asperger's, but I am considering getting a formal diagnosis in the not-too-distant future.
For most of my life, I felt...different. I'm not especially social. I have extremely strong interests. I am extremely observant--more so than anyone else I know. I have a ridiculously good memory. I feel like I live in a "bubble" of sorts, where my own thoughts dominate everything else, and I feel like nobody else really "gets" me and what makes me tick. And don't get me started on the never-ending anxiety. I'd never seriously considered the possibility that I may be an aspie, though...not until the last couple weeks, anyway.
In the past few days, I've done more research on Asperger's and took a couple online tests (which both indicated strong Autistic Spectrum traits). And suddenly it all made sense. The all-consuming interests. The social awkwardness. The fact that I can lay out exactly what I want to say in my mind, and yet I often feel like I can't get the words out of my mouth right. The fact that I have a difficult time making eye contact with others, being able to focus on the conversation at hand, or even bringing myself to even say hello. The fact that I struggle with showing outward signs of affection or empathy, or even how to react in some situations. And so on.
And when I discovered this forum, I found all sorts of things that made me go, "Wow, that's me!" It's great to be here, and thanks for helping me feel a little less alone. 
05 Apr 2012, 3:49 am
Hi FishStickNick!
I am also undiagnosed but suspect it and can relate to a lot of things you say. Anyway welcome and I hope you find the forum helpful. 
05 Apr 2012, 4:07 am
Hi FishStickNick! Welcome to Wrong Planet! Check out the different forums here. They are interesting and helpful. You are among friends here!
I can relate to what you said. One of my issues is that I can walk past someone I know, and "ignore" them completely. It's not on purpose, but rather that I am lost in my own thoughts, so I either barely register them or not at all. I am just not able to escape from my own thoughts long enough to acknowledge them. What's going on inside my brain takes precedence over at least some of what's going on outside. I can maintain the course I am on that was already set when I start moving from point A to point B, and watch out for known issues like cars, etc., but an acquaintance, or even a relative showing up in my path gets a low priority. They are not a hazard like a car would be, and are not planned for, so something in my brain decides they are not relevant at that time and place. I just can't process too much input at once, so something has to give. If they actually speak to me, that will break through the processing fog, but if I was trying to remember anything, like a list of items to buy at my destination, I am likely to forget at least some of them after the interruption, unless I also have a written list with me. 
I hope you continue to enjoy this site. I do!
richie
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05 Apr 2012, 9:27 am
To WrongPlanet!! !
05 Apr 2012, 11:53 pm
Thanks for the welcome! The last week or two have been quite an incredible journey or self-discovery--simultaneously scary and exciting, and a little overwhelming at times. It's been weird, too, because now that I recognize what the aspie traits are, I see them in my behavior all the time...from the stimming (there's a word for my incessant fidgeting!!) to the fast-paced talking when I do get engrossed in a conversation. It all makes sense now!
EstherJ
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05 Apr 2012, 11:59 pm
06 Apr 2012, 1:46 am
06 Apr 2012, 4:44 am
We really need to make this dog 'disappear'. Any suggestions?
Seriously though, welcome
06 Apr 2012, 8:48 am
Hi! Welcome to WrongPlanet
Bloom
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Joined: 15 Mar 2012
Gender: Female
Posts: 332
Location: On the OTHER Wrong Planet. The nicer one...
06 Apr 2012, 4:10 pm
HA! I HATE this idle chatter in the morning that people seem to THRIVE on like coffee and sunshine. GTFO/DIAF.
I'm blessed to now be a part of the med-staff meetings most mornings, because most of us 1. don't want to be there and 2. have some we need to say. We want to say it and move on. There is a lot of coffee sipping and chart reviewing. There is very, very little chit-chat and most of it is saved until after the meeting and many of us just get up and leave.
Yesterday I was "on loan" to another clinic I had *never* be to before, and "the welcoming" committee decided to make me feel welcome. HA! My administrator had spoken with their administrator and had faxed over my ADA contract, and things went brilliantly. No one really tried to engage me unless I engaged them first, and no one offered any of those strange, unnecessary, and fundamentally inappropriate niceties (like shaking hands) either.
You have my respect for being able to work in a cubicle. I could never do it... It would drive me BONKERS.
Welcome to the planet.
06 Apr 2012, 4:48 pm
I'm currently trying to determine if I'm an aspie. I'm a little hesitant to self-diagnose; I strongly relate to many of the traits of Asperger's, but I am considering getting a formal diagnosis in the not-too-distant future.
For most of my life, I felt...different. I'm not especially social. I have extremely strong interests. I am extremely observant--more so than anyone else I know. I have a ridiculously good memory. I feel like I live in a "bubble" of sorts, where my own thoughts dominate everything else, and I feel like nobody else really "gets" me and what makes me tick. And don't get me started on the never-ending anxiety. I'd never seriously considered the possibility that I may be an aspie, though...not until the last couple weeks, anyway.
In the past few days, I've done more research on Asperger's and took a couple online tests (which both indicated strong Autistic Spectrum traits). And suddenly it all made sense. The all-consuming interests. The social awkwardness. The fact that I can lay out exactly what I want to say in my mind, and yet I often feel like I can't get the words out of my mouth right. The fact that I have a difficult time making eye contact with others, being able to focus on the conversation at hand, or even bringing myself to even say hello. The fact that I struggle with showing outward signs of affection or empathy, or even how to react in some situations. And so on.
And when I discovered this forum, I found all sorts of things that made me go, "Wow, that's me!" It's great to be here, and thanks for helping me feel a little less alone.
Welcome FishStickNick,
I can relate to many of the things you have written and in the past when I have sat in a class listening to the teacher or other professional speaking the person will tell me afterwards that I appeared to be very observant. I can relate to having anxiety most of the time as well.
Welcome to WP!
AnonymousAnonymous
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07 Apr 2012, 7:41 pm
CockneyRebel
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07 Apr 2012, 10:35 pm
Welkome to WP
Mick
