Hi Christian, i also posted a similar thing to this recently (but am a woman). I also live in essex, am 37 and I also went through (am still going through) the Jessie Tait designs (midwinter) obsession so I thought I'd reach out to you and say hi, and that, although i know you are looking for male perspectives, that you are not alone.
I was advised by a lovely person on this forum to read up on aspergers and think back to your childhood, writing down all the 'evidence' so you are prepared to explain to the doc. I am making a note now whenever something comes to memory and will present this notebook, in full glory in my terrible handwriting.
I hope your doc is clued up enough to try and find a specialist with autism in adults. I am hoping the same for myself. There is an essex based charity who can help, diagnosed or not: Autism anglia:
http://www.autism-anglia.org.uk/They spoke to me and i haven't even got my referral yet! Very nice understanding people, they will put your name down for a call from someone who can help with ..whatever you need help with, I presume. For me it's noise sensitivity and a heap of other things.
I wish you all the best, and good luck getting somewhere with the referral!
. I really appreciate the advice and it's good to know there's other people in Essex like me. Speak soon, bit tipsy right now. Ttfn