superawesomeme
Well-Known Member
Hi, I'm Shaun, 36 from the UK.
Just thought I'd join this group to read up (and hopefully contribute where I can) on the condition I was recently diagnosed with.
I apparently have very high functioning Aspergers Syndrome (it's still called that in the UK although I did notice it was referred to as ASD in some of the paperwork I was given).
It's been a challenging 36 years and although a diagnosis will make it easier to explain my condition and access support, I know it's not a silver bullet.
Over the years I've had a number of doctors give me a number of different diagnoses including BiPolar Affective Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. Apparently when you're "high functioning" it can be difficult to diagnose autistic spectrum disorders (of course they may have just said this to appease me).
My main challenges are:
- social interaction: I find it difficult to "chat" to people unless it's about a subject I'm interested in. I avoid most social situations like parties.
- basic empathy and understanding emotion: I can pick up if someone is obviously sad, happy, etc, but I don't really know what to do in that situation and I struggle to appreciate how they feel.
- black and white thinking: I'm very much a right or wrong, good or bad, left or right kind of guy. I prefer to think of it as binary thinking than black or white. I struggle to compromise or change plans in the middle.
- narrow (often peculiar) interests: I'm a massive IT nerd, I've built my own computers, game consoles, TV systems, etc. I know all about different operating systems, Linux distributions, etc. I watch foreign tv, listen to podcasts and can spend hours just installing and configuring things.
- obsessive thoughts and behaviours: mainly in relationships, I'm very much a deep-end first guy. When I fall, I fall hard and fast, usually scaring the other person off then obsessing over when they won't speak to me. This trait also carries into my interests and hobbies where I will "binge" on a particular interest or topic to the point of near-perfection then drop it because I'm bored. Like making large novelty cakes, designing websites, studying, etc
Well I say "my challenges" but really they're usually more challenging for the people around me.
I prefer to see my "funny little ways" as things that make me and my life more creative and interesting.
Anyway that's me... So Hi!
Just thought I'd join this group to read up (and hopefully contribute where I can) on the condition I was recently diagnosed with.
I apparently have very high functioning Aspergers Syndrome (it's still called that in the UK although I did notice it was referred to as ASD in some of the paperwork I was given).
It's been a challenging 36 years and although a diagnosis will make it easier to explain my condition and access support, I know it's not a silver bullet.
Over the years I've had a number of doctors give me a number of different diagnoses including BiPolar Affective Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. Apparently when you're "high functioning" it can be difficult to diagnose autistic spectrum disorders (of course they may have just said this to appease me).
My main challenges are:
- social interaction: I find it difficult to "chat" to people unless it's about a subject I'm interested in. I avoid most social situations like parties.
- basic empathy and understanding emotion: I can pick up if someone is obviously sad, happy, etc, but I don't really know what to do in that situation and I struggle to appreciate how they feel.
- black and white thinking: I'm very much a right or wrong, good or bad, left or right kind of guy. I prefer to think of it as binary thinking than black or white. I struggle to compromise or change plans in the middle.
- narrow (often peculiar) interests: I'm a massive IT nerd, I've built my own computers, game consoles, TV systems, etc. I know all about different operating systems, Linux distributions, etc. I watch foreign tv, listen to podcasts and can spend hours just installing and configuring things.
- obsessive thoughts and behaviours: mainly in relationships, I'm very much a deep-end first guy. When I fall, I fall hard and fast, usually scaring the other person off then obsessing over when they won't speak to me. This trait also carries into my interests and hobbies where I will "binge" on a particular interest or topic to the point of near-perfection then drop it because I'm bored. Like making large novelty cakes, designing websites, studying, etc
Well I say "my challenges" but really they're usually more challenging for the people around me.
I prefer to see my "funny little ways" as things that make me and my life more creative and interesting.
Anyway that's me... So Hi!
Although they do prioritise those who are severely affected.
