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Hi, I'm Raf, 24 y.o male, diagnosed with ASD on 10th February 2014.

I am high-functioning but have a mish-mash of lots of other ASD-isms that wreak havoc on my life

Such as:
Sensory problems (mainly noise)- but also touch, hate to be touched..
Stims...have to stroke a square of silk constantly, scrape my tongue on my teeth, rub my palms on all corners.
People - they are so confusing/idiotic/noisy GET ON MY NERRRRRRRRRRRVE.
Love to be left alone.
Have to do things my way, in my time, in my structure.
Over structured.
Obsessions.
No friends/social life (don't want one).
Pretending to be fine is exhausting.
Remembering social rules is exhausting, like saying things like "how are you?" or "bye". Ugh. lol
Obsessing with lists, numbers, dates, times.
Loads more things I can't think of right now, d'oh

^^ So all of that just make me sound like an a$$! But it is ASD... I'm kind hearted I just struggle!
I get depression and biiiig time anxiety so I take Venlafaxine 150mg per day. It helps me to be able to go out/in shops and places where people are without getting in a panic.

Newly diagnosed (diagnosis journey in a nutshell: I went to GP on 21st January 2013, explained how I felt about everything, he referred me to mental health screening on 15th Feb 2013, they referred me to ASD screening on 13th June 2013, they told me it sounded 99% like I had ASD - then I was placed on waiting list for clinical assessment which happened on 24th Jan 2014 and on 10th February 2014 I was formally diagnosed).

Looking forward to hearing how others cope with stuff and chipping in with my own 2 cents to hopefully feel less alone in all of this wilderness. I work full-time but I find every day is a challenge just to get through it with ASD.... I am hoping now I am diagnosed I will be more understood all across the board, including by myself

~ best to all ~
RAF

Your journey to diagnosis actually seemed like a nightmare. It took so long! It's just frustrating to see how slowly mental health works sometimes. I've had a similar problem with seeing a psychiatrist and getting a therapist, too. The waiting is the hardest part.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Welcome to WP.

I also have co-morbid anxiety disorders and get panic attacks in crowded places sometimes.

Hi there
I am a newbie here.And very happy to join you.

Thanks all for the nice welcome.

I didn't think the diagnosis journey was too bad given that I had heard it was almost impossible to get a diagnosis at all for adults. However, it was tiresome in that I couldn't get any support at work or anywhere until a diagnosis was formalised and I experienced a lot of problems in that time including 2 nervous breakdowns