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hi,

I'm 35 and semi-self-diagnosed, to an extent. I was raised in South Africa and moved to the UK as an adult. I was never able to get a cut and dry answer from professionals . I have over the years been said to have traits of depressive and schizoid personality disorder and also Aspergers. So, not exactly diagnosed or undiagnosed from my perspective.

I didn't do very well at school but have an MA due to my obsessive interest in certain subjects as well as art books and films. I have had friends for most of my life but always been known as someone who is a bit weird I suppose. I also have relatively mild spina bifida but that was always more of a problem than my psychological issues which is probably why it was never properly looked into until I was in my mid-20s.

I don't mind socialising but often find it hard to motivate myself to do it. I go to live concerts sometimes and have a few close friends who I probably see very little of compared to the norm.

Not sure what else to put for now but I thought I should just put an introduction. Look forward to meeting new people.

Shaun

Welcome to WP!

Hi ShaunX! Welcome to Wrong Planet! Check out the many interesting forums here. You are among friends here at WP!

Because there are so many possible traits, and intensities of traits, in Autism/Asperger's spectrum disorders, and because no two people has the exact combo of traits and intensities, it is sometimes hard for the professionals to properly diagnose these disorders. The task is made harder by the fact that most psych docs still don't know or understand that much about it. All too often someone will go to one of these less knowledgeable professionals for diagnosis, instead of someone with some experience with people having spectrum disorders.

I recommend that you see someone who has experience with spectrum disorders, if you need or want an official diagnosis. Before going for one, though, take some of the online tests and bring copies of your completed tests with you to your appointment. You can find links to these tests from one of the post articles in the Autism/Asperger's forums section here at WP.

Hope this all helps.

Thanks. I have had a test from a psychologist but it was really just a huge questionnaire that I took home. It was decided then that I was schizotypal personality disorder,, depressive and some-what autistic. Having met lots of people with Aspergers and read about it I think its quite safe to say that I am at least autistic to an extent. Like you've said its something you could ever really define that objectively, so I am not really motivated to delve further into having it diagnosed.

Welkome to WP

Mick

Welcome to Wrong Planet!