Hi all,
I have just joined the community as I have recently decided to seek a diagnosis for Aspergers and am hoping I can pick up some useful tips on coping and learning more about the condition.
It is only something I have just recently started to accept about myself as I realise I seem to struggle more at life than those around me. Even something that should be simple and straightforward become mammoth tasks that take me ten times longer to do than anyone else. Setting up things like bill payments or making appointments feel almost impossible at times and end up being dragged out until the last minute. I used to think that maybe I was just being lazy or a bit of a flake, but then I realise that any task that is different from my daily routine fills me with panic or dread and will throw me out of sync for the rest of the day.
Socially I have struggled as well. As a child I was always thought of as being shy but it seemed to stick with me throughout my life. But again when I reflect on it I realise I have no idea how a conversation works. Whenever I am asked a question I will answer it then leave it at that. For example if someone asks me "How are you?" I will reply with "I'm fine, thanks" and leave it there even though I know the accepted response it to ask that person how they are, but a part of me seems to just shuts off at the idea of asking a question. I also find it hard to read emotions to the point where I actually need people to state if they are angry or happy or are just joking. But it even extends so far as to my own emotions. Countless times I have been accused of snapping at someone or looking miserable and not been aware of it until after I have done it.
I could go on but I will leave it there as I just wanted to introduce myself and give a little bit of an insight into where I am in my life at the moment.
