Where do you stand if you have "traits"?

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Hi

I have wondered if I have Aspergers because I have a number of traits that coincide with the symptoms. I always score very highly in the online tests but I have not been formally diagnosed.

Until recently I was seeing a psychotherapist who thought that there was "a significant Aspergic component" to my problems when growing up (whatever that means).

I spoke to another mental health professional over Christmas who, frankly, laughed at my suggestion that I might have Aspergers. She thought that my "traits" were caused by my (diagnosed and long standing) anxiety.

I wonder does anxiety cause these traits or are the traits evidence of a mild underlying Autism that makes socialising difficult for me and therefore makes me anxious?

For example, I have terrible trouble remembering and recognising faces. Today someone greeted me on the station. I did not recognise her so I probably appeared rude or aloof. The person it probably was I've known for over 10 years.

This happens frequently. I don't recognise people in the office that I was in a meeting with earlier that day. I make an effort to try and memorise the faces but I can't. I don't know how I can improve this.

There are other similar traits: I can't shut out other people's conversations on the train and get aggitated after a while. I get tense if I can't "stim". I get exhausted if I don't get plenty of time on my own. I am physically uncoordinated and it is very hard for me to vary the tone of my voice.

All of these things have probably made me seem a bit odd and led me to being singled out and bullied, which makes me anxious around people.

These things are not going away as I get older.

My problems are mild compared to some people - I went to university, I work full time and have relationships - but I am affected. I don't drive for example, because I could not cope with the stress.

So, what happens if I'm not a "proper" Aspie? Where do I belong? Do I belong at Wrong Planet?

Thanks for your time.

I am trying to find this out too: where do I stand? I have a lot of the traits, but I don't know if I'm truly autistic. I was diagnosed with ADHD.

I don't think my issues are caused by anxiety. I think some of them, to an extent, can be attributed to inattentiveness, but not entirely. I have some anxiety regarding my problems, but I still have the same problems whether I feel anxious or not. In fact I'd say it all gets a lot worse when I'm relaxed and at ease with people.

You can certainly be on WP without being autistic.