Greetings

[Section_Eight]

Greetings

I’m 42 years old and live in Christchurch New Zealand. I’ve been diagnosed with Schizoid Personality disorder Bipolar 2. I’ve also scored 152 on the alexithymia test and have some things similar to high functioning autism. I wasn’t diagnosed with BP II or SPD until I was 39 years old, but I always knew something was off with me.

Growing up I struggled to understand what people said especially when it related to emotions. For a long time I thought emotions were a social construct where by people said things such as “I feel so sad for you”, but it was more of a social obligation/ritual. As such I began emulating the humans around me and eventually realised they had some component that I was missing. Having said this I was hyper-sensitive especially towards humour directed at me as I thought they really meant it when people teased me, so I became upset. I suspect that my low level of emotions as a children eventually got switched off as a defense mechanism to allow me to cope in a hostile environment.

I was also incredibly naïve and believed almost everything that people said to me. While still being innately naïve and trusting I’ve gone the opposite way and now treat most things with joking disbelief.

I’ve always enjoyed science fiction and fantasy over reality. Growing up, Star Trek TOS, was my favourite especially since it had a character (Lt Com Spock) that I could finally relate to.

I’m married with two teenage children. I suspect that the main reason I got married is due to hypomania from my Bipolar as it allowed me to have the courage to approach and court my wife, who I’ve managed to make miserable over our 19 years of marriage, yay for me. I find interacting with little kids quite easy and fun as they don’t want to sit around and talk about feelings, as they’d rather be doing something and having fun.

That’s all for now LLAP!

 

[Nitro]

 

[Gracey]

Hello section_eight and welcome

 

[Keigan]

Welcome, I pegged the needle on Alexi also.

Good people here.

 

[tree]

 

[Warmheart]

Howdy, and welcome to AC, Section Eight!

 

[WittyAspie]

Welcome! Glad to have you join us.

 

[Jet Weiss]

Welcome, greetings to you as well

 

[Alaska]

Hi Section Eight. Welcome to AC!!!

For some reason it was difficult for me to process the information in your introduction, so I am not sure whether you were saying that you are on the Autism Spectrum or just share some of our traits.

Would you mind clarifying that a little please?

You should like it here because there are lots of nice people on this site. We have some Aussies, but you are the first Kiwi I know of here.

 

[xudo]

Welcome

 

[Section_Eight]

Thanks all for the welcome.

Hi Section Eight. Welcome to AC!!!

For some reason it was difficult for me to process the information in your introduction, so I am not sure whether you were saying that you are on the Autism Spectrum or just share some of our traits.

Would you mind clarifying that a little please?

An interesting question. When is someone on the Autism Spectrum. Is it when they’ve been diagnosed? Or if they believe they have some of the traits?

I suspect that there are many who haven’t been diagnosed who would classify as being on the spectrum, but it hasn’t been officially confirmed.

To answer your question I share many of the traits and I believe I’m on the spectrum, though I haven’t been officially diagnosed. As the famous quote says “if you’ve met one person with autism you’ve met one person with autism” So it’s hard to know whether I’m really on the spectrum or just awfully close.

After being diagnosed for Bipolar II I went and saw a psychiatrist as Bipolar only explains a small part of my specialness. In her evaluation (when I was diagnosed with Schizoid Personality Disorder) she mentioned strong autistic traits, but not an overt diagnosis. Since I was there to understand my lack of emotions and difficulty forming and maintain relationships I didn’t focus as much on my so-called autistic traits. I’ve now come to understand that my difficulty with emotions would likely be classified as Alexithymia.

Part of the reason of joining this community is to learn more about myself and others and get a better idea as to how similar I am to those on the spectrum.

Hopefully that answered your question, if not I’ll try to clarify further.

You should like it here because there are lots of nice people on this site. We have some Aussies, but you are the first Kiwi I know of here.

Thanks. But you should be aware that kiwis are 35.6% better than Aussies!

 

[Alaska]

Thanks all for the welcome.


An interesting question. When is someone on the Autism Spectrum. Is it when they’ve been diagnosed? Or if they believe they have some of the traits?

I suspect that there are many who haven’t been diagnosed who would classify as being on the spectrum, but it hasn’t been officially confirmed.

To answer your question I share many of the traits and I believe I’m on the spectrum, though I haven’t been officially diagnosed. As the famous quote says “if you’ve met one person with autism you’ve met one person with autism” So it’s hard to know whether I’m really on the spectrum or just awfully close.

After being diagnosed for Bipolar II I went and saw a psychiatrist as Bipolar only explains a small part of my specialness. In her evaluation (when I was diagnosed with Schizoid Personality Disorder) she mentioned strong autistic traits, but not an overt diagnosis. Since I was there to understand my lack of emotions and difficulty forming and maintain relationships I didn’t focus as much on my so-called autistic traits. I’ve now come to understand that my difficulty with emotions would likely be classified as Alexithymia.

Part of the reason of joining this community is to learn more about myself and others and get a better idea as to how similar I am to those on the spectrum.

Hopefully that answered your question, if not I’ll try to clarify further.


Thanks. But you should be aware that kiwis are 35.6% better than Aussies!

Well Section Eight, if your posts on this thread are any example, your social skills are suspiciously advanced for an average Aspie. Our Aussies might not agree with that last remark, however. You might want to prepare to duck when you meet them.

I hope you find the site edifying. It does contain a lot of good information. I don't know whether your doctors in New Zealand use the DSM, but it might help to look into that. I posted links to it on a thread not too long ago.

 

[Section_Eight]

Well Section Eight, if your posts on this thread are any example, your social skills are suspiciously advanced for an average Aspie.

I never claimed to be average buddy. I’m also a bit surprised you used the word ‘suspiciously’, as you’re clearly aware it carries a negative slightly sinister connotation. I’m really not sure why you feel that way about my posts or what you think my nefarious ulterior motives are, but you’re mistaken. I’ve made it quite clear that I haven’t been officially diagnosed as being as being on the ASD. It’s more of a suspicion on my part. I certainly have many traits which would fit a diagnosis of HFA ASD, but I also have traits that wouldn’t fit. Where does this leave me? I’m not sure, other than searching for answers.

In some ways it’s similar to how I score highly (152) on the Alexithymia online test, despite having a vivid imagination (some would say delusional) and not having an impoverished imaginary life. Alexithymia is a spectrum as well. In some areas I score incredibly high and others I scored mid to low.

Test Results: 152 Points
Alexithymia: You show high alexithymic traits. If you are interested in Alexithymia we would be happy to have you as a regular visitor on our pages.
Detailed Results
Your result is broken down into various factors to give you some insight into your result.

Category: Difficulty Identifying Feelings: 27 Points <15 - 18>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.

Category: Difficulty Describing Feelings: 18 Points <10 - 12>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.

Category: Vicarious Interpretation of Feelings: 10 Points <8 - 9>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.

Category: Externally-Oriented Thinking: 32 Points <18 - 21>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.

Category: Restricted Imaginative Processes: 21 Points <18 - 21>
In this category you show some alexithymic traits.

Category: Problematic Interpersonal Relationships: 27 Points <15 - 18>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.

Category: Sexual Difficulties and Disinterest: 17 Points <10 - 12>
In this category you show high alexithymic traits.

Anyway I’ve said my piece Alaska, so we can agree to disagree.

I hope you find the site edifying. It does contain a lot of good information. I don't know whether your doctors in New Zealand use the DSM, but it might help to look into that. I posted links to it on a thread not too long ago.

Thanks buddy. I know we’re a bit backwards in NZ, but I’m pretty sure that our are aware of the DSM ;-p (FYI I’m trying to be humorous and not sarcastic or bitter)

You clearly have noticed that I have an amazing sense of humour, which might be the suspicious social skills you’ve implied makes me a fraud. It’s funny because early in my life I didn’t understand humour, in fact I took everything far too seriously which made me pretty miserable. Since I got tired of being the butt of peoples jokes and quite frankly not knowing if they were being serious, I decided to try the humour thing out. Clearly my early efforts were quite hit and miss. But after years of practice (much of it in my adult life) it feels like of hit on the sweat spot on understanding and using humour.

Because I don’t have an expressive face (I believe it’s called blunted effect) I’ve become the master of deadpan humour, where I say semi outlandish/mildly insulting things in a completely serious tone of voice, that leaves others guessing as to whether I’m teasing/joking or being serious.

What people don’t realise is I use it as a defence mechanism to hide that I don’t always know how to react or what to say, so it’s a cover or mask for me to hide my clumsiness / ineptness in social situations.

 

[Alaska]

I never claimed to be average buddy. I’m also a bit surprised you used the word ‘suspiciously’, as you’re clearly aware it carries a negative slightly sinister connotation. I’m really not sure why you feel that way about my posts or what you think my nefarious ulterior motives are, but you’re mistaken. I’ve made it quite clear that I haven’t been officially diagnosed as being as being on the ASD. It’s more of a suspicion on my part. I certainly have many traits which would fit a diagnosis of HFA ASD, but I also have traits that wouldn’t fit. Where does this leave me? I’m not sure, other than searching for answers.

In some ways it’s similar to how I score highly (152) on the Alexithymia online test, despite having a vivid imagination (some would say delusional) and not having an impoverished imaginary life. Alexithymia is a spectrum as well. In some areas I score incredibly high and others I scored mid to low.



Anyway I’ve said my piece Alaska, so we can agree to disagree.



Thanks buddy. I know we’re a bit backwards in NZ, but I’m pretty sure that our are aware of the DSM ;-p (FYI I’m trying to be humorous and not sarcastic or bitter)

You clearly have noticed that I have an amazing sense of humour, which might be the suspicious social skills you’ve implied makes me a fraud. It’s funny because early in my life I didn’t understand humour, in fact I took everything far too seriously which made me pretty miserable. Since I got tired of being the butt of peoples jokes and quite frankly not knowing if they were being serious, I decided to try the humour thing out. Clearly my early efforts were quite hit and miss. But after years of practice (much of it in my adult life) it feels like of hit on the sweat spot on understanding and using humour.

Because I don’t have an expressive face (I believe it’s called blunted effect) I’ve become the master of deadpan humour, where I say semi outlandish/mildly insulting things in a completely serious tone of voice, that leaves others guessing as to whether I’m teasing/joking or being serious.

What people don’t realise is I use it as a defence mechanism to hide that I don’t always know how to react or what to say, so it’s a cover or mask for me to hide my clumsiness / ineptness in social situations.

Sorry if I offended you. You were so funny and witty, that i was less careful what I said to you than I would be ordinarily. I was joking when I used the word "suspiciously". I admire the way you handle life, from what I see about you so far, and feel badly about bothering you.

 

[Section_Eight]

Sorry if I offended you. You were so funny and witty, that i was less careful what I said to you than I would be ordinarily. I was joking when I used the word "suspiciously". I admire the way you handle life, from what I see about you so far, and feel badly about bothering you.

What a shock I misunderstood what someone said to me. Sorry if I came across curt with you. Now that I think about it I would say something similar IRL if I wanted to be funny. So it just shows I can't always take what I give out. To be honest IRL I'd rather be honest and open with me. sometimes its easy to misunderstand written communication.

In regards to humour, while I think I know know to be funny, I'm terrible at reacting to others jokes at me. While everyone else is laughing I'm often left standing mute and immobile try to work out;
1) do I pretend to laugh to fit in
2) do I pretend to be mock-insulted (I'm actually usually insulted, but I try to hide it)
3) do I ignore the comment
4) or do I try and sound witty by saying "I shan't deign to respond to such a low attempt an humour"

Again apologises. I didn't mean to offend you in return. which isn't to say you offended me first. Um I shall be quiet now and remove the proverbial foot (I'm not flexible enough in real life) from my cavernous mouth.

 

[Alaska]

What a shock I misunderstood what someone said to me. Sorry if I came across curt with you. Now that I think about it I would say something similar IRL if I wanted to be funny. So it just shows I can't always take what I give out. To be honest IRL I'd rather be honest and open with me. sometimes its easy to misunderstand written communication.

In regards to humour, while I think I know know to be funny, I'm terrible at reacting to others jokes at me. While everyone else is laughing I'm often left standing mute and immobile try to work out;
1) do I pretend to laugh to fit in
2) do I pretend to be mock-insulted (I'm actually usually insulted, but I try to hide it)
3) do I ignore the comment
4) or do I try and sound witty by saying "I shan't deign to respond to such a low attempt an humour"

Again apologises. I didn't mean to offend you in return. which isn't to say you offended me first. Um I shall be quiet now and remove the proverbial foot (I'm not flexible enough in real life) from my cavernous mouth.

No problem. We live and learn. I expect I didn't use enough smilies, which are supposed to be designed to prevent such misunderstandings.

 

[Section_Eight]

No problem. We live and learn. I expect I didn't use enough smilies, which are supposed to be designed to prevent such misunderstandings.

I'm perturbed that there is no dislike button to choose from. It's all a bit to much fluffy bunnies and rainbows for my taste.