Just diagnosed in my mid 50s

I became mentally ill last year and lost my job.  My psychiatrist diagnosed Asperger's spectrum disorder with co-morbid OCD.  A more recent diagnosis from an autism specialist suggests that I am high-functioning, mildly Aspergic with bipolar disorder type 2.

I have always known that I was a bit different.  I have had huge difficulty forming intimate relationships (and have become very ill and depressed when attempts to form them went wrong) and have very few friends of my own but it never occured to me that there might be anything diagnosable.

I am very fortunate however in having a very supportive wife and two wonderful children, although given the inheritable nature of autism and bipolar disorder I have some concerns for them.  They are showing no obvious outward signs, but then neither did I at their age.

I was able to function sufficiently well over the years to do well at school and hold down reasonably well-paid jobs but I have now lost the confidence to re-enter the workplace.  This may not be too bad as I can just about afford to retire.  It may even be a blessing in disguise as I can now focus of doing what I enjoy rather than what I need to do to earn a living.