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recently diagnosed at 20 years old

Lydia

Hi everyone. I am a 20 year old female who has just received a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome. I have had anorexia since I was 13, and this now seems to perhaps be symptomatic of me finding it difficult to understand the world. I am really struggling to accept the diagnosis, however, as I am confused about what Asperger's really is. I also don't feel like someone who doesn't 'get' or enjoy the company of other individuals; I just struggle with social anxiety and understanding the rules. I am very locked into a lot of negative behaviours and coping strategies (not eating, vomiting, self harm, panic attacks, pulling out my hair, sleeping on the floor, avoiding rest, over excercising) and I don't know how to learn to live with myself. It also seems like there is not really any help available for adults with autism. I am feeling very lost and sad, and would really appreciate talking to some other people who have experienced Asperger's. Sorry if this post seems self obsessed! Thanks.

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  • Former Member
    Former Member

    there are lots of other people on the forum who are in a similar state of confusion about what they have and what it means to their lives.

    For me, diagnosed two months ago, the diagnosis has been liberating and really positive. I'm 56 and always liked being with other people and I didn't realise I was different! I did go through life repeatedly being misinderstood and getting into arguments. I thought this was normal but apparently most people don't get shouted at by people at work, people in shops etc.

    Social anxiety is common among sufferers. There are other people on the forum who really struggle to get out of the house at all.

    There are lots of other people on the forum who are nearer your age (some younger, some older, both male and female)- i'm in a very small number of posters who got here very late in life!

    my advice is that you can relax a bit now as you will start to understand that it isn't a bad diagnosis at all. There is lots of help and advice available here on the forum and i have found that this is enough support for me. other people are more or less affected and some definitely need other support from other agencies but you might find that, for your aspergers, you can get a lot of your puzzles answered right here.

    don't apologise for being self obsessed! I think of this as we have difficulties reaching out and being understood by the world so we often turn inwards. Autism means self focused but that is different from being selfish or narcissistic. We are generally too open and trusting and desperately want to be social but somehow don't have some of the skills to get what we want.

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  • Former Member
    Former Member

    there are lots of other people on the forum who are in a similar state of confusion about what they have and what it means to their lives.

    For me, diagnosed two months ago, the diagnosis has been liberating and really positive. I'm 56 and always liked being with other people and I didn't realise I was different! I did go through life repeatedly being misinderstood and getting into arguments. I thought this was normal but apparently most people don't get shouted at by people at work, people in shops etc.

    Social anxiety is common among sufferers. There are other people on the forum who really struggle to get out of the house at all.

    There are lots of other people on the forum who are nearer your age (some younger, some older, both male and female)- i'm in a very small number of posters who got here very late in life!

    my advice is that you can relax a bit now as you will start to understand that it isn't a bad diagnosis at all. There is lots of help and advice available here on the forum and i have found that this is enough support for me. other people are more or less affected and some definitely need other support from other agencies but you might find that, for your aspergers, you can get a lot of your puzzles answered right here.

    don't apologise for being self obsessed! I think of this as we have difficulties reaching out and being understood by the world so we often turn inwards. Autism means self focused but that is different from being selfish or narcissistic. We are generally too open and trusting and desperately want to be social but somehow don't have some of the skills to get what we want.

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