Hello there.

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My name is Patrick. I've been struggling most of my life with obsessive habits, social anxiety, getting stuck on details, avoiding interactions with people, major depression and anxiety. It wasn't until recently that I seriously considered that I have an autism spectrum disorder (can I call it that?). I haven't been diagnosed, and honestly I'm not even sure where to start or who to ask, but it's something worth noting. I've recently watched many videos and taken a few tests that suggest it's highly likely that I'm autistic, and it made me want to panic because at least with anxiety, there are treatments. What if this is something I can't do anything about?

And what if my friends and family could always see it, and I couldn't? Eesh.

Anyway, my interests are online gaming and forums (surprise!). I guess my goal here is to meet other people who share my traits and see how they deal with them, because I'm almost 45, and I should probably have known this stuff a long, long time ago... but then, I realize things weren't always that easy when I was a kid as far as diagnoses went. I have tried to appear "normal" for so long, it's exhausting.

PS: I'm going into all of this blind, ie: I read the posting rules but I'm still not sure of what I can and can't say or what might be considered a slur in the community, so bear with me.

PPS: Oh, I have also been diagnosed with ADHD.

Welcome to Wrong Planet. Do not be too overly concerned about rules. Just be yourself here.

Welcome to WP! I hope you find it to be comfortable.

I was 64 before I even wondered if I might be Autistic. I wanted to know so I got an Adult Autism Assessment (which was kind of fun!) and the diagnosis was: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 1 (Mild).

I was very happy to get the diagnosis. It explained so much. Over the decades I had become increasingly suspicious that I had some diagnosable difference that separated me from "normal" people. But I had no idea what that difference was and did not even consider Autism...because I knew nothing about Autism except I had seen trailers for Rain Man (I haven't actually seen the movie, though). But, by coincidence, at age 64 I was lead to read up on Autism...and it fit.

I figure I did well and that Autism probably caused me some problems and also gave me some advantages. But I was old enough that the diagnosis did not tell me about the problems I would have to get past but rather about the problems I did get past.

I do not have ADHD. My bride does. I think I'm better off with Autism...though she does look better on paper (and in person) than I do. She gets involved in lots of things and very often ends up helping run them. Makes me tired.

You are not the only person on WP to have both, however. Hopefully one of them will wander by and you two can exchange anecdotes.

While I don't advocate getting too specific about where you live you might want to share what country you are in. The process for getting an assessment varies drastically between countries.

And as to what you can and cannot say? Well, the rules of course. And the Mods have authority here (thanks to them it is a nice place!). And I encourage you to be gentle with all of us...a lot of us are Autistic [grin] and some folk have more severe symptoms than others and some people have other problems in their life, too.

Welcome!

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Willkomen

welcome, you are in the right place! glad you are here.