Hi i'm Mike from Australia - New Person

Post Reply New Topic

Hello community

I stumbled across this wonderful site and read the rules etc, and saw that this is the place to introduce one's self. If anyone answers or not, that's fine, but I think it's a good idea.

My name is Michael or Mike. I am 43 and live in a huge city in Australia. I have a great job, study, get fit, have some good friends, a house, about to get a car and generally have a supportive family, my sister especially.

However, since 1981 I have noticed how I have gotten OCD and a few other things. But my life has been characterised by poor relationships overall, misunderstandings and generally projecting out into the world an image where I am abused by others. I lost a 30 year friendship, the person I love and still do, my first career, my PhD (I am going back to do another) and had so much self blame and hatred.

I tend to collect things, have strict routines, but I do change them, memorise a lot of things etc. Now don't get angry because I consulted the Wikipedia but after reading that and ringing an Asperger's group I am starting to think that hey this might be why I get this constant problem.

I don't believe that my mum's passing triggered this (she went peacefully in May this year) but I have had two particular people in my life where I snapped at them and they embarked, and still are, doing almost a hate campaign on me.

One was Stephen, a man I truly liked, who I called annoying and he really went to town on me online. The other is a Jewish lady I work with who was ordering me around (she is at the same level as me in the organisation) and I thought it was bullying. My boss tried to dismiss me over this and my co-workers said I was rude and abrupt. One of my coworkers did say I was very focused on tasks - I tend to live in fantasy land a lot

Anyway, I have booked to have a diagnoses procedure done in 2009, but what saddens me is how I misunderstand people, and some animals, and they misunderstand me. I went to a group last week and one of the ladies said to me that I appear cold and distant yet when she got to know me it was like oh you are such a good person etc.

So anyway, reading the experiences of others, especially those that are younger, whilst I wait to get a formal reading of what I may or may not have, this site is great. The main thing is not so much oh you are not the only one but more, ok, this is real or may be real and i'm not a failure, stupid, should kill myself etc. I seem to be able to function ok in society and stick to the norms of Australian society, but when I go out with people I just look at their behaviour and go, this is not me. I would rather be at home studying etc.

Anyway, bottom line is, at this moment in time as I write on a beautiful August winter day in Australia, I am at least comforted by reading the thoughts and views of those who have what they have and look forward to sharing things with anyone on this wrong planet )

Regards and best wishes
Mike
Australia

Beautiful? It's bloody freezing down on the Gold Coast! Beautiful, my derriere...

What was your PhD on?

Hi thanks for the reply.

It is going to be about successful ways of teaching older adults information technology skills. I start it once I finish TAFE later this year.

Thanks
Mike

Happy to meet you, Michael. Looking forward to your sharing your thoughts and ideas with us.

Hi Mike, would I be wrong to gues that you live in Brisbane, I used to live there and miss it, and of course welcome to Wrong Planet.

Thanks Jet and Brad

Yeah I'm in Brisbane used to be in Sydney, was actually down there 3 weeks ago and love it, but i can't live there anymore.

BTW I went to a show and, is this Aspergers or what, I memorised every song in order

Thank you both look forward to contributing to the many people who are on the wrong planet with me now

Mike

Hi Mike, welcome to WP. I'm in TAS, have also lived in WA, but originally Sydney. Hope you enjoy it here.

Hej Mike, A warm welcome from Melbourne.

L.

To WrongPlanet!! !

Again thanks to you all, i'm looking forward to finding out more about Aspergers and how to manage the condition, and although the posters all seem to be much younger than me, they all have such insights into themselves and what bothers them. So thanks again

Oh forgot the PS - I will post for advice and do some following up, but I can't get to see the Asperger's specialist for a proper diagnoses until March 09 - but I have found some support groups.

Now upon reading all the stuff on it, most of it anyway, I don't mind interruptions to routine, but so far what have read matches what I have been going through especially since 1997. So i'm looking forward to knowing more so I can have better relationships instead of missing those social cues that cause upset to others.

Mike

Welcome to WP!

g'day mate.

Hi Mike!

Its quite common that adults find out about their AS as a consequence of various kinds of life failure. AS gives us a pattern of strengths and weaknesses- understanding them enables us to build a life defined by our strengths and not our weaknesses.


Magliabechi.

Hi Mike and welcome. I've not been here long myself

There are quite a few of us oldies here on WP.

Magliabechi is right. My 'enlightenment' came about after the failure of my second long-term relationship at the age of 46. Even though I've known I was 'different' since I was very young. Finding out why I was different has now out many things into perspective.

Thanks for that comment and thanks to the warm welcome to the others and hi to the wonderful Melbourne people I miss your city but not the weather

Magliabechi I don't see life as failure but I totally agree - understanding does enable us to be defined by strengths - that is a great comment

I am into a music artist by the name of Gary Numan and he is nearly 50. I read how he knew, especially socially, that something was not right. I am now starting to see the patterns that he did. I won't post a link but googling his name and aspergers he talks about it.

I told a workmate today I think I have it - she said yeah you do as she is qualified in that area. I'm looking forward to the diagnoses and I also found 2 support groups up here. At least I know now why I freeze up a lot when I'm in a group especially if they are playing up and I just want to be at home with my study books

Timber that is amazing your story re your second relationship - I think that is what happened with mine. I think it was when I was singing along to a bunch of 80's songs and I could recite who the artist was, when it was released etc. They didn't like that

Hi BrisMike welcome, self discovery is not always easy... I was only diagnosed last year, but since then I have grown so much, in discovering aspergers I found not only true identity, but real understanding and acceptance of who I truly always should of been. Take it easy, as it does take time...