My last birthday "party" was two years ago. The problem was, even though lots of people came out, some of the people I wanted there the most couldn't make it. It is SO hard to get everyone together in one place, especially if they are in school and/or working. As well, since I am more so friends with people one-on-one, most of the people didn't know each other...and I hated how they were all shy and didn't mingle much. I was hoping everyone would start chatting with each other because they had things in common, but they didn't. I have memories of going around that night and asking "Is everyone having fun?". I also got drunk at my friend's place and had some...erm...awkward experiences. I was a party girl at the time and saw stuff like taht as fun, but now I'm just embarrased about that night. I never had a birthday party again.
My last birthday involved dinner and a concert with two of my good friends. I realized it's not about the quanity of friends, but the quality of their friendships.
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Given a “tentative” diagnosis as a child as I needed services at school for what was later correctly discovered to be a major anxiety disorder.
This misdiagnosis caused me significant stress, which lessened upon finding out the truth about myself from my current and past long-term therapists - that I am an anxious and highly sensitive person but do not have an autism spectrum disorder.
My diagnoses - social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
I’m no longer involved with the ASD world.