Hello all...

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Not sure if I should be on here, but I suspect that I probably belong. Not been spoken to a Doctor or anyone else about it, so I thought I'd check on here before I go and make a fool of myself.

I'm sure you get plenty of irritating 'diagnose me please' posts on here, but I've looked at a few websites and want to explain my thinking and get your opinion-


Communication. I have communications problems. I find conversations with anyone I don't know really well to be forced, awkward and exhausting. A number of times I've realised I've wandered over the line of 'socially acceptable' or appropriate remarks, but found it difficult to realise at the time why it was such a problem. Also, I find the meaning of what I say is frequently misinterpreted.

'Emotionally cold'. I do have difficulty showing empathy. I sometimes don't see what the big problem is or why they are telling me about it or what response they expect. I've managed to learn how to fake the right reaction, but I have no idea how convincing it is. People have accused me of being 'cold', selfish, arrogant, etc. I probably am, but its not intentional. Also, when it comes to displays of affection I can find it incredibly difficult to be affectionate with girlfriends but will be with a small select group of people who I know very well. Also, strange as it may seem as I type all this, I find it incredibly difficult to tell people how I'm feeling or share anything, I think its only that this is an internet forum that I can do it.

I have a pedantic way of speaking and always have done, infact people also make a joke of the fact that I always punctuate my text messages perfectly and refuse to abbreviate.

I have a quirky sense of humour which apparently is an indicator of AS, but I think thats just my brilliance.

My handwriting is and always has been utterly disgraceful. I struggle to read my own notes.

I do develope intense and obsessive interests in certain things, usually lasting a long time or permanently. Anything outside of that which I am forced to involve myself in generally earns my contempt and I find it incredibly difficult to motivate myself. For example, I am a Politics and History student, because those are two things I am obsessed with. However, my Politics course this semester has been Political Philosophy, and I have absolutely no interest in it. Where as I could write a 2,000 word Politics or History essay in a few hours, my current Political Philosophy essay has taken weeks, because I can't care about it enough to engage my mind.

This was also the case in school. I would frequently be shouted at for not concentrating and most of my school reports have complaints about 'day dreaming'.

Minor irritating noises can thoroughly distract me, like a clock ticking.

I find myself having something similar to 'anxiety attacks' in certain situations. For example if I am on the subway I will often have to get off the train at the wrong stop and get the next one so as to escape the atmosphere on the subway train. I also have also noticed that the poor physical co-ordination which is a symptom gets much worse when I am anxious in a public situation like that.

Also, I read somewhere that people with AS often prefer the company of older people rather than people their own age. I find it difficult making or keeping friends my age and the people I must prefer spending time with range from 4 years older than me to 20 years older. It is sometimes commented upon by people who should mind their own business, but I never really notice why its a problem.


Sorry for typing all that, if anyone has the patience to read it then thanks for any opinion you have, I've been waiting 21 years to work out why I'm different.

Hello. Greetings.

It's half past eleven at night here and I'm starting to get "crackly eyes" from too much computer time. So I prob'ly didn't take in a hell of a lot of what you said. But what you said sounds about right to me.

Thanks. Its nearly 11am here, so I should be more awake than I am. Time for another coffee methinks.

Hi celtic1985,

I'm not an expert or anything, but from what you've written sounds pretty much on the button.

Are you interested in getting a formal diagnosis? Folks here tend to disagree about that, some do go down that route, some just know themselves and don't bother with a diagnosis. It depends on where you live too, on how easy it is to find a specialist.

I identify with a lot of what you have written about communication, your special interests, the irritation with noise. Sounds a familiar pattern I've read by lots of members. I think you'll find you're 'at home' here.

You might like to read through old threads too, you'll probably read a lot of what you've experienced yourself, and get that 'ah, me too!' feeling. That's what happened to me anyway.

Welcome to WP.

Thanks for the reply Starr.

I think it may be worth me getting a formal diagnosis, just to put the matter to rest in my own mind. The problem is I keep bottling it. The last time I went to my GP I meant to mention it, but ended up just telling her about the flu I had. I mean, how do you just introduce that? "Good morning Doctor, yes I think I have AS..." But nobody diagnosed it before so I suspect it will be up to me to do it myself.

At least now I've got some sense that its all part of something that I can identify instead of before when I'd just think 'Why the hell did I do/say that?' and generally feel like an outcast.

Oh God, this starting to sound rather 'support groupish'. I'm not looking for sympathy or a group-hug, this is a good thing, I'm happy with it, I've now got a tag for my freaky behaviour and I like it.

I think I'll go for a read through the previous threads now. Thanks again.

By the way, forgot to say that I live in the UK, in Glasgow or Cardiff depending on University. Anyone know how easy it is to get a diagnosis in the UK and what sort of attitude you get from a GP?

You're probably out of luck with a GP.

BTW Frankly I think you hit enough criteria well enough that it is safe to say you have AS. Are you oddly sensitive to any light, sound, touch, etc? Were you hyperlexic prior to 3?

Steve

I wouldn't say I'm particularly sensitive, although I can only sleep in complete darkness, any speck of light keeps me too distracted to sleep, don't know if that counts, probably not. Then again I don't know what is the normal level of sensitivity.

I don't really understand hyperlexia, and I wouldn't know much about what I was like prior to 3 years old. I did read a lot from a very young age, but that could be normal.

Well, you said "very young age". Apparantly, most people aren't reading even by 5!

And YEAH, most people probably have to rely on their parents or someone for something like this.

As for normal, I guess when the fire alarm goes off, and you're the only one that seems to be holding your ears, etc... That is a hint.

Oh well, You aren't merely "gifted", and a number of things certainly weren't acquired, so I don't know of anything you could have but AS.

Steve

Well, my personal view on getting a diagnosis was that the docs around here are not exactly interested in anything that's not physical (I live in Wales) and I'm not really bothered about getting it formalized anyway, as it doesn't really affect anything, and at 49, I kinda don't really see the point. It would only be confirmation of what I already know.

As you're younger I'd say, go with your feelings about it. Maybe you've got a good doc who will be happy to refer you to a specialist. If not, and you still want to, I'd push for it, sometimes you have to with the NHS. Some areas of the UK are better than others I suspect.

Don't worry about the 'support group' thing...people here understand. And there is a place here for if the NT world gets a bit too much - the Haven

I'm inclined to agree that you sound very much like an aspie. I recommend the following threads:

http://www.wrongplanet.net/modules.php? ... pic&t=5906

This links to an online quiz that pretty much settled it for me.

And for humor, there's this one:

http://www.wrongplanet.net/modules.php? ... pic&t=2614

I would get a professional diagnosis. You sound very much like an Aspie. A GP will not be diagnose you, however they might be able to suggest professionals that are experienced with dealing with Aspergers and Autism.

Good luck.

Well I was still rather young, certainly earlier than 9 or 10, when I was reading encyclopaedia's rather than childrens books.

As for fire alarms, they drive me up the wall but I wouldn't say they hurt.

Thanks Steve.


I think its worth a shot. I'd like an official diagnosis for my own peace of mind.
Oddly enough my mother has joked that I act like I've got AS before, her saying it led to me checking about it. So I may mention it to her and see where that leads me. Although I certainly wouldn't want people knowing or they would put my quirky nature down to a disorder rather than me just being me, if you know what I mean?


Catalyst - thanks for the links. The first one was really useful, the number of new Aspieisms I've recognised in my day to day behaviour is incredible. Such as "Do you dislike eye contact?" Loathe it!
"Do you bounce your leg?" all the time! "Do you apologise constantly" Sorry... I mean yes.
Great quiz.


Chadders - Yeah, I think a GP wouldn't be much use. My father works at the hospital, I'll see if he can get me a referal for... what would I be getting a referal for actually? Psychiatric?

Of course, one should not confuse an online test with a professional diagnosis... but yeah, that quiz was an eye-opener. I was fairly convinced I was aspie when I went to take it, but I was also kind of doubtful, because I have not had a professional diagnosis. When I took the test, I realised that there were a lot of things that I had not realised were also Aspie symptoms. Bouncing the leg was one, and there were several others that I had not thought of as stimming. One of the things that had made me doubt was that I was not aware of any stimming, and that's one of the big symptoms.

I'm 34, married, and gainfully employed, so I am not bothering with an official diagnosis. I have found that this board has been a help to me... kind of cool not to be alone on a strange planet.

I have a contrary view to some. Unless you need a Dx for government benefits or similar, why bother? Why label yourself?

You are who you are. What ever traits you have you think may be detrimental, you can work on without a Dx. There is no cure, only strategies for dealing with communication/interpersonal problems. Whether or not you have AS, you can still work on these.

Cheers

Bazza
Ne obliviscaris

Hey celtic1985, i can't see how getting a diagnosis would hurt, unless you apply for a job where they get to check your medical records, but i don't think they can do that. And even then, there's no guarantee that it will adversely affect your life.

A GP is probably (unfortunately) the best palce to start for a diagnosis, you need to be referred to a psychologist or someone who specialises in the autistic spectrum.

I live in Scotland and it took many years to get a diagnosis (considering i wasn't looking for one it's probably not too bad). I started off by seeing mental health nurses for things that were later discovered to be caused by AS. Personally i wouldn't recommend seeing a psychiatrist as one of the worst experiences of my life involved an arrogant prejudiced psychiatrist.

If you want an official diagnosis you are better doing it as soon as possible as it's very likely you'll be put on a waiting list to see a specialist (and beleive me, they're LONG).
I eneded up seeing a private clinical psychologist, for other issues, who told me that i had AS but his diagnosis wouldn't be accepted as he did not have the appropriate qualifications.

An NHS psychologist confirmed this diagnosis, and while being officially diagnosed didn't aid me that much (just learning about AS, as i'd never heard of it before, helped more) it can be useful when it comes to things like college, as if they know about it they are better able to understand some of the more unusual reactions and appropriate help can be given if required.

Anyway, good luck if you do go for a diagnosis, or even if you don't, and hope things go well.