Published on 12, July, 2020
Yes! I only started to work it out when I was 56. It happens to a lot of us. You're in good company. Basically, a lot of people who are a) very verbal - even with advanced language skills and b) are more inclined to be quiet (i.e. probably shutting down, rather than melting down) went totally and completely under the radar. Just because we can speak and aren't lashing out (well, I do under a few circumstances, but mostly freeze into shutdown), doesn't mean that there aren't big problems there which need support.
We're all different, but yes indeed, I'm recognising some of the above in common with you.
You've been really brave not only to post this, but to talk to your wife and mother. I'm so glad your wife seems to get it. Your mum, well she just probably doesn't understand. Good luck with the GP. It might help if before you go you make a comprehensive list of all the traits you think you notice and a list of the problems they are causing you. You could also do and print off and take some of the online quizzes from reputable psychology websites. The AQ10 is the one the NHS uses. These aren't a diagnosis but they are meant to indicate when an individual should be assesses.
Thank you for your reply, I seem to be blurting out a lot out tonight, it’s been very helpful. I took the AQ10 test today, I scored 9. I don’t know if that’s good or bad. I feel so much better for joining the site. I had got to the point in the past with thoughts of taking my own life as I felt worthless and could see the harm I was causing to all. I’m the same as you when I go I really can be angry, I tend to just shut down, non verbal is easy. I can remember one Christmas Day, my eldest son had a new train set and wanted help with it, I ranted at him and had to have earphones on and be left alone. These memories live with me, there were people outside the family invited to lunch!