Hello, I am an 19 y o student of Literature from the Netherlands, recently diagnosed with ASD. I was diagnosed with PPD-NOS in my early childhood but because of my 'intellectual growth' (to quote the shrink) I have managed to maintain a few friendships. Until recently (around 2 years ago) I was doing fine, had a few friends, who knew I was 'different' and had autism/related condition, but after graduating and enrolling at the university I started developing a mild case of agoraphobia and a sort of mutism which prevents me to speak to, or have lengthy conversations with people who are not in my comfort zone (save for polite, yet brief remarks).
Last month I saw a psychiatrist who prescribed me antidepressants (Citalopram and Oxazepam) and since then I am doing OK. I have a few friends and a sort of platonic girlfriend ( a bit like Sheldon and Amy, in case you watch the Big Bang Theory). I am not repulsed by social interaction, but I find it hard to adapt to certain situations. In these situations I start making absurdist jokes, which is why many people regard me as an eccentric goofball (which isn't that bad), but maintain a distance because I am really bound to my comfort zone.
My main interests are:
- music :especially 70s/80s postpunk/new wave (The Cure, Joy Division etc.) and cheesy synthpop (Yazoo, ABC), 60s pop (Beatles,Kinks, Zombies) and contemporary electronic music such as Aphex Twin and Autechre
-literature; especially Michel Houellebecq, literary theory, 19th century Russians, existentialist writers ,Roman/Greek history and Bret Easton Ellis
-movies; my favourites are A Clockwork Orange, Donnie Darko and Rope
I hope you have made it this far; I really hope to learn a lot about autism and the way you fellow members handle your special '(dis)ability'
Love,
JosefK
16 Jan 2012, 5:54 pm
Not too far away, same age, I notice 
