Page 1 of 1 [ 11 posts ]
13 May 2013, 9:04 pm
14 May 2013, 6:02 am
14 May 2013, 9:07 am
Welcome to Wrong Planet! 
14 May 2013, 4:41 pm
AnonymousAnonymous
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Joined: 23 Nov 2006
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Posts: 72,792
Location: Portland, Oregon
14 May 2013, 9:14 pm
15 May 2013, 4:28 am
15 May 2013, 6:03 am
OddButWhy wrote:
Where, oh where to begin? In the recent past, I suppose. Not long ago I ran across an article about Asperger's being dropped from the DSM-V, read it out of idle curiosity, and my jaw dropped when I read the DSM-IV criteria and associated symptoms that "aspies" have. The everyday struggles with social problems described by aspies are so familiar. Like making small talk. Starting and ending conversations. Making eye contact. Doing ok in one-on-one interactions but being lost in a group. Not noticing when someone has lost interest in what I'm saying. Feeling out of place no matter where I am. Lack of friends. failed relationships. All these things I've described to a therapist or Dr. at some point over the last twenty years, and been officially diagnosed with generalized anxiety and social anxiety. ASD was never brought up as a possible cause. Add epilepsy to the mix, diagnosed when I was 4.
But now, reading WP, other forums, descriptions by aspies of not only the symptoms but the mental processes gone through before, during, and after social interactions; and finding close agreement with my own thought processes, I'm seriously thinking about ASD as a possible explanation. If nothing else, ASD is providing a useful framework to think about these things.
For years I've explained my social awkwardness & anxiety by citing my childhood. We moved twice & I went to a total of seven different schools, so I surmised that during some critical development phase I was busy getting my bearings among yet another set of new peers when I should have been learning the longer-term give-and-take of enduring friendships. This is not completely satisfying since it does not account for things like getting wrapped up in some interest or other, and problems making eye contact.
I can't deny that other family members have ASD traits so there may be a genetic component, too. Among other traits, my father has the classic interest in trains. Many of my childhood memories are of helping him with his basement model train layout: cutting railroad ties, spiking down rails, checking track gauge, measuring incline gradients & turn radii...it was a long time before I realized that this was not a typical upbringing. Despite beginning his current layout in 1980, there is no scenery or landscape, but he can spend many happy hours redesigning the control panel and mechanisms operating the switches. If prompted, he will describe how it works in stupendously excruciating detail.
So right now I'm wondering whether I am indeed on the spectrum, whether my upbringing stunted my social abilities but they'll respond to exercise, or some combination. I am considering getting a formal diagnosis, but the spectrum is providing a good way to gain insight into myself and the family dynamics even if I am not an aspie.
But now, reading WP, other forums, descriptions by aspies of not only the symptoms but the mental processes gone through before, during, and after social interactions; and finding close agreement with my own thought processes, I'm seriously thinking about ASD as a possible explanation. If nothing else, ASD is providing a useful framework to think about these things.
For years I've explained my social awkwardness & anxiety by citing my childhood. We moved twice & I went to a total of seven different schools, so I surmised that during some critical development phase I was busy getting my bearings among yet another set of new peers when I should have been learning the longer-term give-and-take of enduring friendships. This is not completely satisfying since it does not account for things like getting wrapped up in some interest or other, and problems making eye contact.
I can't deny that other family members have ASD traits so there may be a genetic component, too. Among other traits, my father has the classic interest in trains. Many of my childhood memories are of helping him with his basement model train layout: cutting railroad ties, spiking down rails, checking track gauge, measuring incline gradients & turn radii...it was a long time before I realized that this was not a typical upbringing. Despite beginning his current layout in 1980, there is no scenery or landscape, but he can spend many happy hours redesigning the control panel and mechanisms operating the switches. If prompted, he will describe how it works in stupendously excruciating detail.
So right now I'm wondering whether I am indeed on the spectrum, whether my upbringing stunted my social abilities but they'll respond to exercise, or some combination. I am considering getting a formal diagnosis, but the spectrum is providing a good way to gain insight into myself and the family dynamics even if I am not an aspie.
Hi OddButWhy
you know you are really lucky that your Dad gave any time at all to you?
Sorry, that's one of the aggregious millstones I carry
but they'll respond to exercise, or some combination.
and that was how i wasted my life
15 May 2013, 8:49 am
15 May 2013, 10:57 am
15 May 2013, 4:02 pm
Welcome! Please make yourself at home here! 
CockneyRebel
Veteran
Joined: 17 Jul 2004
Age: 50
Gender: Male
Posts: 117,519
Location: In my little Olympic World of peace and love
16 May 2013, 11:29 pm
Sweet welcomes to WPea.
From Mick and Peahawk 
Page 1 of 1 [ 11 posts ]
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