04 Oct 2008, 7:07 am
Hi
(Introductions are always very hard for me but I'm going to write something)
I'm 21, I do many things but I'm mostly a musician (I am not a professional, yet, but I play recorders and bass guitar, I am also a composer), I live in Australia.
In 2003 (age 16) I was diagnosed with high level language disorder, which effectively means that, while I am obviously literate enough to communicate via this medium, I am mostly unable to properly "interpret" or manipulate language, having a tendency to use language in a very rigid manner and a tendency to take things too literally (I only wish that people would be more straightforward, I feel somewhat affronted by the notion that this must be my problem). I only hope that you find me comprehensible.
In 2004 (age 17) I was diagnosed with ADHD. It is unfortunate that teachers will overlook you if you are considered to be polite and intelligent, apparently the only way to relieve one's suffering is to become intolerable to others and I really do not want to do that. Both diagnoses were received with surprise by my parents (who see nothing because their daughter, exhausted by the daily trials and tribulations of school, retreats into her room and speaks to no-one if she could help it, for reasons I will reveal in paragraphs to come), and relief by me, shortly followed by the resentment of being ignored and having suffered for so long.
My obsessions change and overlap over the years but usually take a similar theme. The major recurring themes are ancient history & mythology, biology & psychology -- especially personality theories and "abnormal psychology" -- and music -- especially "Early Music". These obsessions of mine are a great source of stimulation to me, who is both easily bored and easily overstimulated by the senses, but unfortunately can result in great anxiety as my attempt to share my appreciation for these topics is generally not well received. People my own age tend to dismiss me as "weird", and my family responds with anger or irritation. As a result I don't get to discuss my interests very much and I have felt very lonely for as long as I can remember (although things seem to be changing for the better right now as I have someone who, although is not at all like me, is very tolerant, accepting and understanding).
Having read more and more about Asperger's Syndrome in recent years -- as part of my ongoing obsession with psychology, I have become increasingly suspicious that I am also an "Aspie". My high-school diagnoses and my history -- and totally unresolved problems -- of social interaction seem to indicate as much, although of course I am not qualified to make that call. If nothing else I seem to at least have some traits of Asperger's Syndrome and I come here looking for a place where I might be able to speak openly and maybe not feel so out-of-place.
Thank you for tolerating my rambling. 
-- deadroses
04 Oct 2008, 8:12 am
04 Oct 2008, 10:19 am
AnonymousAnonymous
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Joined: 23 Nov 2006
Age: 34
Gender: Male
Posts: 72,138
Location: Portland, Oregon
04 Oct 2008, 2:38 pm
04 Oct 2008, 8:08 pm
