Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello,I have been looking into what I believe may be a case of Aspergers within myself, a journey which has been accumulating more and more within the last year. I have already sent out various NHS forms for a diagnosis and am apart of the long waiting process - Of course I want to see what I can do to assist myself right away.I have here a list of possible symptoms that I made bother I applied for the diagnosis which explain why I believe I may appear on the spectrum:
* Highly Sensitive Person - Another term which I feel I could relate to as I feel I am very OVER sensitive, which contrasts a lot of what I have heard about Aspergers people.* Depression* Social anxiety* Unable to make comfortable eye contact - friends and strangers* Routines - unhappy when events don't occur as I pre-conceptualize them. Familiar order daily tasks.* Limited/narrow interest - video games/media only* One main focus subject - juggling tasks/memory can't multitask* Food sensitivity as far as texture - poor diet* light and sound sensitivity - overbearing, frequent headaches too.* Social skills - feels uncomfortable with them, yet has yearning for bonds!* Time anxiety - leading up to work days, as time depleting I get very edgy and cannot focus and worry. * Selective Mutism - a reaction upon distrust when offended with indviduals.* Strong sense of compassion - I am caring for people who I consider friends (Which are very limited in quantity but I cherish the bonds i have.)* Literal Interpretations - false understanding of jokes, phrases & meanings*reputation/ego - fear of association, Not embracing the world of social media as I don't like the concept of others melding my own image.* Shame - Something which affects me very easily and I get very defensive* Perfectionism - I cannot accpet flaws within myself, not let them show to others. I don't consider myself arrogant and if anything I find this high expectation upon myself challenging.* Lacking development within lifestyle - still feeling like a child.Sorry, I know that is a lot to take in but I just wanted to sort of lay my cards on the table as a refference point and see where I can go with this. Of course I look forward to chatting and getting familiar within people here on the forum too :)
I sent it to my sister and said "does this remind you of anybody?"
Wow. I'm absolutely rattled by how much that applies to me!!
It is really shocking to read something that could have been written about oneself! I had that feeling when I read this piece by Tania Marshall about characteristics of women with Asperger syndrome::
https://taniaannmarshall.wordpress.com/2013/03/26/moving-towards-a-female-profile-the-unique-characteristics-abilities-and-talents-of-asperwomen-adult-women-with-asperger-syndrome/
it's a really helpful validation that we're getting closer to identifying the reasons for the issues we are having. Sadly, with women in particular, often no one looks any further than symptoms such as anxiety and depression.
wow so that was like reading about myself, slightly shocked would be an understatement, as a woman I've always been told that's just how women are, and i find that opinion patronising but there you go, i was diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder instead some 16yrs ago and now on waiting list for an autism assessment.
The advantage of this forum is that you get to meet many autistic people. We are all different but often someone writes something that resonates with my own experience. As you say there is a long wait for assessment. While you are waiting you may find ways of making your life happier and less stressful.
Sometimes people we know I real life aren't the best people to advise and support us. Most of the people I know outside of here are dealing with challenges of their own. They have little energy to spare for me. I wasn't certain about being autistic at first, but spending time here has convinced me that I probably am.
Being very sensitive to various things is a common experience, and at times of pressure this often gets much worse. If you haven't already done them the free AQ and EQ autism questionnaires available online can give a general indication of whether you fit the diagnostic criteria for autism.
Thanks for the kind response :)I'm hoping it will be a useful resource, I have one person who I can talk to about this that we have looked into it a fair bit but I thoguht becoming part of the community. mingling will be a better way to learn more about it - Especially as I have been told after putting in the papers for the diagonistic test, that I could be waiting from 1-3 years!!!I feel i have very little coping mechanisms, I very easily get upset, down and fall into a pit of gloom and helplessness. i have a friend who was confirmed on the spectrum at schooling age whom I can see the traits within him he often seems very self involved - We both work on creative projects and often or not when I metnion mine the conversation is very short - Could be from his Aspergers but also my poor social skills in communitaction and projecting my ideas/plans accross. It's just I look at him and see how he can show little reaction to things, yet I tend to get very over reactive to the slighest thing. I know Aspergers can have many traits, so ours may just differ, but I hope to gain an understanding of my attiributes towarsd the spectrum and see if it is genuine.
Welcome! I am sure you will enjoy meeting other autistic people and learning more about yourself through this forum. I'm part way through the assessment process myself, and being part of this community has been incredibly helpful. As well as accessing information, advice and support I have discovered a way of socialising I actually enjoy.
You have clearly thought a lot about this and identified aspects of yourself that suggest you may be autistic. Some of these can present significant challenges and difficulties in everyday life, which non-autisitic people often do not understand. Being part of this community really helps with gaining new insights and finding ways of dealing with things.