Hello everyone!

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Hi, everyone. I'm new to the site - I think. I think I had an account, but couldn't remember if I did or it was on another website!

I'm 23, from Ireland and live in Toronto, Canada. I grew up in Japan for a few years as well. I don't have autism or any related disorder, but only because I have not been diagnosed. Throughout my childhood I found it next to impossible to socialize with anybody besides a few select friends and family. Over the years I was said to have everything from chronic depression to social phobia to hebephrenia. None of that ever stuck, though. Over the years I had a rough life (sexual abuse) and messed up a few times, especially with school. Sadly, I was kicked out at 16 as I had extremely poor attendance as a result from anxiety. They never thought twice about it, and one day I go in and the police escort me out...and that was the end of high school.

Later I went back and obtained a GED, or as everybody called it, a Good Enough Diploma. I spent a couple more years slacking off at this point. Despite getting ahead, I ended up secluding myself from everybody I knew. I spent 6 years alone, not leaving my house or interacting with anybody unless it was absolutely mandatory. I spent this time analyzing my own life, those around me and the entire world in general. I examined every detail of humanity over this time and came to some striking conclusions (which I won't explain). Eventually, I started to realize how bad my situation really was. Since then, I've been on a self-determined path to recovery.

Since all that has happened, I've been studying film. I'm not yet in school - that starts in September - but I've been practising my film and editing skills. I made a hilarious amount of money as a "hermit" all that time and recently spent some of it on a nice video camera, tripod, lights etc as well as a plethora of books. At the end of the year I enter college and hopefully university further down the line. I hope to study English or world politics and enter journalism, as I've had a couple articles and an editorial in a newspaper.

Anyways, I don't yet have autism or anything related. I have engaged in dialogue with my old doctors in attempts to be diagnosed, or if I don't have a PDD, to clear up what my problems are. I still suffer from extreme social problems and have trouble with very simple things in life. Even the prospect of going to get lunch alone scares me, and I rarely do it. Nevertheless I've realized that much of my fear is fake and I really have nothing to worry about. I just need to learn to approach life at my own pace, I guess. I'm hoping school will change me for the better because as it stands, if I don't take action now I can see an unfortunate future for me. These forums look like a great place to receive and exchange info with others in similar boats as myself. Hopefully, by this time next year, I'll be a much changed person!

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome to WrongPlanet.

Hi Earlgrey, Welcome to WrongPlanet!

Welcome to WP!

man i wonder if those people who spam those welcomes even read the stories I feel like I see them post everywhere haha.

anyways great story man.. i just discovered i have AS and I can totally relate. when i started college i was terrified. i made some aquantances but i never made any friends in those three years. my isolation got so intense the last year and i did poor enough to get kicked out and i'm hoping to finish my history degree this december going back fall 2010 for my last semester. i am from southern california by the way lol. going out to get lunch is the worst.. or going to do errands.. i really wish sometimes i could go in by myeslf and pay at a machine .. because i feel rushed in stores, businesses, my anxiety so high as worry about so many silly things. you are right though you have to just realize the fear is FAKE and to take that leap of faith we have to do for so many small situations.

your story makes me sad and frustrated and i fear the same treatment from my family. i can alreayd hear my step dad screaming at me how i'm lying and trying to trick him and my mom and my employer and gee... i cant wait to move back out on my own again..

Hello earlgrey, welcome,

You wrote an interesting introduction.

Enjoy your stay on the Wrong Planet!

To WrongPlanet!! !