A big hello from the UK

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Hi all,

Apparently, its said that 42 is the answer to the question: 'What is the meaning of life?' Well, I cannot confirm that regarding the big mysteries of life, but certainly, for myself, an understanding of my own lifes mysteries is becoming clearer to me, now that im 42 years old.

All of my life Ive struggled to 'fit in'; always felt I was watching a theatre drama around me; always trying to understand and figure out how people lived their lives; did 'normal things' and seemed so relaxed with each other, able to be themselves. For me, that never happened; ive always felt like the square peg in the round hole.

Strangely enough, I excel to the highest level in my chosen subjects; subjects that do actually consume my attention, because Ive never been able to multi-task. That always puzzled me. In my 20's I referred myself to psychiatrists and psychologists in my search for understanding. The psychiatrists were quick to label me as bipolar. The psychologists never used labels and they played a very good part in helping me decipher my lifes journey to date, but they never hinted at autism (that was up to 2003) Around 2004, chatting with a friend online, from Scandinavia, my attention was drawn to the fact that she has Aspergers. To my surprise, it was her belief, that I too could have some form of the autism spectrum. The idea stuck in my mind; and not until this year (2009) did it surface and begin to require a little bit more attention.

The more Ive looked in to the condition, the more my own mysteries have become clearer; things from when I was a child right up to present day! Pearls of a broken necklace finally being brought back together. Finally, I feel many of the puzzles Ive had through life, in my mind, are being understood better, along with some reasons.

Ive not had any official diagnosis as of yet; and my assumptions could still be wrong, but deep deep down, I really believe Aspergers is the answer. Regarding the test set up by Simon Baron-Cohen (Autism-Spectrum Quotient) I score 45. Apparently, anything over 32 should be investigated.

So maybe '42' really is the answer to that age old question?

Thats a little bit about me and my story. Feel free to get in touch and add your own thoughts to what Ive written

Looking forward to exploring more of this site,

Ciao4now,

alcedo

Welcome to WP!

Nice to meet you alcedo, and welcome to WP.

Welcome to WrongPlanet.

Hi alcedo, welcome, and enjoy your stay on the Wrong Planet!

Thanks for welcome, everyone

Scientist, maybe this could be the Right Planet?

For me it is
See also: Shouldn't it be Right Planet?

Hi alcedo! Welcome to WP. I'm 44 and having an experience much like yours. I started looking into Autism and AS because a relative's son was diagnosed as HFA and I wanted to know more. The more I read, the more I recognized AS qualities in myself!

From reading the posts here, it seems that many others have had similar experiences. And as one of them said, this understanding makes me feel better about myself than I have in years. Maybe the truth is setting us free? Something like that, anyway.

Hi JSB,

I think its the not-knowing that causes the confusions, frustrations and uncertainties, for me anyway. So having clues that help us to make some sense is very liberating! Im glad you can relate to my account.

I wish you all the very best in your journey to get more understanding!

alcedo

Hey alcedo,

Welcome to Wrongplanet

YAAAY ! ! Another UK member and i'm also from the UK, which part of the UK you come from?

Also feel free to post and feel comfortable and explore the best of wrongplanet ... Your story sounds upsetting... Its really stupid that the phycaraists instantly labelled you as bipolar, which i personally think was rather stupid... Did you have depression in the past?

Anyways, make yourself comfortable and happy posting

Hey Ian (Im presuming Ian from your user name; apologies if Im wrong)

Im in NW England and thanks for the welcome!

As a child I was often very hyped up, then would be quite down for long periods. My homelife was not very conducive to a peaceful environment. So its no wonder i was quite erratic. Would I have suffered in the mind if family life was good? I have no idea; but mood swings have been with me since I can remember. Theres still a lot of unravelling for me to be doing. When I think of the time ive spent doing this, instead of just living, makes me feel so sad.

Anyway, Ive read that many people who had been diagnosed with some form of mental disorder, such as schizophrenia and bipolar were actually suffering a form of autism. I believe, this just may be the case in my own situation. We shall have to see

Thanks again for the warm welcome,

Ciao4now

To WrongPlanet!! !

You're very welcome alcedo...
Yes, you definitely got the name right and you've figured that real quick

I'm from London and im 18, been diagnosed as having autism... High Functioning
I was actually similar as a child but I didn't speak a single word until I was 3 and a half, I was often very hyper and hard to catch
I often used to have so much meltdowns often i found it hard to communicate through people... However I used to try put my fingers through the plug, which was madness... I actually thought it was fun at the time.

Secondary school was the madness as I was in a special needs school for as long as I can remember, I used to get people screaming, hitting, all sorts of stuff and I would occassionally would get injured by it....
I wasn't at all crazy and I did meet a couple of friends and even got a girlfriend there

Now i'm in college, im literally learning everything by myself, its very stressful for me and yet some people infact most people would of thought I looked like a NT (Neurotypical).
Its been a hard journey, up and down like a rollercoaster and worked so hard to get to where i'am now Now i'm just so glad i've found this site

Hi everyone,

As the originator of the first post in this thread, back in December 2009, I thought I'd post an update. 13th May 2013 (UK time) I was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome.

What a journey it has been!

Mixed emotions just now; and quite a lot to work through and process. I feel some relief as well as a lot of apprehension to what lies ahead.

Thanks for this opportunity to share,

Best wishes,

Well, over three years late, but welcome
You joined before me!

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

I suppose the update is a little late, but i only got my diagnosis yesterday

Better late than never!