To those undiagnosed Asperger's Syndrome

[I am Matt]

I was asked by a guy who advocates autism awareness if I had aspergers a few weeks ago and that's when I looked into it and realized that there actually is something that describes how and why I act in a way others might consider odd. I was able to develop the eye contact a couple of years ago though because my friend said "people will think you're weird if you don't make eye contact with them".

Before I looked into asperger's though I always knew I was strange and awful in conversation, but I just assumed there was no way I had any kind of disorder.

 

[Nanda]

For me diagnosis isn't a label (diagnosed at 35), it's a point from which to start understanding myself and the world better. Like a home base. That may not be the same for everyone though.

I think the same as you.
Some people think its a label, well, guess everybody has the right to have they own opinion and in this case there's no wrong opinions, anyway.. know for sure it's a way that some can find easy to explain people why one behaves so quirky.

[By the way, love your avatar]

 

[Sass]

I think the same as you.
Some people think its a label, well, guess everybody has the right to have they own opinion and in this case there's no wrong opinions, anyway.. know for sure it's a way that some can find easy to explain people why one behaves so quirky.

[By the way, love your avatar]

Thanks! My avatar is a pic of me about to go out on my birthday

 

[Nanda]

Like you, I have a strong sense of self, but am awkward in social situations even though I have preached in different churches the last 17 years. It's nice to finally know my abnormal brain function has a name.

You found a way to keep life going despite yours social difficulties, that's very good
And yes, its really amazing to know that some odd thing that's happens to us has explanations, and now, (i can only speak for myself in this case) its possible to be more aware of things e make them better, so to speak.

 

[Nanda]

Thanks! My avatar is a pic of me about to go out on my birthday

You very good looking Sass , i love your hair

 

[Sass]

You very good looking Sass , i love your hair

Thank you

 

[KassieMac]

Pursuing a diagnosis is a very personal decision, and I wouldn't judge anyone either way. I find a great deal of comfort just in knowing why I am this way, and that there are so many others. It's wonderful to have a way to interact, and just in the past few weeks my mood has improved much more than the previous 15 years on antidepressants (which includes six years in therapy). I'm actually considering asking my doctor to take me off the meds!

 

[rollerskate]

A lot of things click. In fact the driving factor in my belief I have it is how much of it clicks. Major red flags are my communication issues that span back into my toddler years learning how to talk, my obsessive interests which also reach back into childhood, my easily triggered sensory overload, and my extremely high IQ for pattern recognition.

Like someone else who commented here I also have a long mental health history peppered with diagnoses that only semi fit but never fully fit.

 

[Thea]

I've always felt that I didn't fit in. I once explored the possibility that I might have ADD because I have trouble concentrating. I was told I didn't fit the diagnosis but nobody tried to help me any further than that. I have sensory problems I now realise contribute to my difficulty concentrating. I seem to have sensory issues with all 5 senses, e.g. light sensitivity, difficulty with textures, particularly of fabric, acute sense of smell and difficulty with strong smells, sensitivity to loud or high pitched sounds, e.g. sirens or songs with too much treble or that use too many cymbals and finally I have difficulty with a lot of foods because of the taste, texture or both. I stim by rocking, I occasionally flap my hands when over excited about something. I have difficulty with unfamiliar social situations, I've only developed the level of social skills I have because I ended up in a retail job (which I've discovered I detest). I have obsessions, some more permanent than others, I obsess about stuff that others find insignificant, I have difficulty making direct eye contact and will prefer to look at peoples eyes from the corner of my eye or to look at a fixed spot near their eyes so it appears that I'm making eye contact. I have a tendancy to over-explain my feelings in a relationship which made my partner uncomfortable. I also crave a great deal of touch but can't stand strangers or people I'm not really close to touching me. I'll have a physical reaction to escape whoever's touching me like cringing away. I like small close spaces. I prefer darkness. I don't like having the light on when I have to think a lot. I find it easier to concentrate when I'm playing music.