New old member saying hello.

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Hello, my name is Paul and I am new here! I live in the North West of England.

I'm 50 years chronologically, although I have no idea how old my brain is most of the time. I have only recently been diagnosed with Aspergers after some intense psychotherapy, having spent the previous 20 years believing I was affected by Borderline Personality Disorder. I still score quite highly on that part of my personality, but not enough to warrant a 'Disorder' - sloppy and lazy diagnosis to get shut of me from a job - so in some ways the term 'Aspie' is a relief. It makes a huge amount of sense in all honesty albeit it does open up other questions - which is why I am here I guess.

I have always been the proverbial and literal outsider, and for the main part it has suited me fine, I really struggle with large crowds. That said I have become very adept at 'passing' in "Normal Society", years of wearing masks and learning scripts have allowed me to function and earn albeit I have never stayed in one place for particularly long - never wanted to be found out. I have reached the point where it is just too much bother and far too tiring to keep up a charade just to keep other people from being a bit disturbed. Why should I? So I'm going to stop pretending and just be myself.

I have recently told my employers about my new diagnosis and have the backing of UK legislation to provide some protection from any adverse reactions. I'll keep you posted as to how that pans out!

I am a lucky man given that I have a wonderful relationship with the most amazing woman in the world and she has stood by me and continues to love me - despite who I am, albeit she says it is one of the main reasons she wants to be wih me - and I hope to spend the rest of my days with her.

Well, anyhoo, take care out there and deep respect to you all.

Paul

Welcome Paul
My neck of the woods I see

Greetings Paul and welcome to the Wrong Planet.

Thank you both for the welcome. Much appreciated.
P

Hi Paul! Welcome to Wrong Planet! Check out the many interesting and helpful forums here. I am also a late comer to learning that I have Asperger's. I was in my mid-late 40s when I first learned about Asperger's, and saw myself in it. I am now in my early-mid 50s, so it's been about 8-10 years since I found out. It was a great relief to finally know why I have always been so different from everyone else around me. This site has helped me and many other people, and I am sure it will help you, too. You are among friends here at WP!

Hello there,

I've also got a very late diagnosis --- adapted a bit too well, and slipped under the radar, but it
was exhausting.... I've given up pretending to be normal now, its much easier...

welcome to Wrong Planet !

56 y. o. married person here. welcome to WP.

Thanks again, it is nice to know that there a few 'mature' Aspies on this site who I can learn from. Even though it makes great sense now I now, it is still a bit of a shock to the system to have to look at different issues. As I said in my earlier post, I worked on the info I was given about BPD for decades and when I said I didn't think it was correct, they just said, "Well you would say that, you have BPD and that is what they all say!"

I absolutely agree though, it is really hard work trying to fit in with people I have nothing in common with and, if I'm honest, don't care a jot about. Maybe there is a blessing being so old, they expect me to be a grumpy old sod anyway, so that will quite probably help!

I did make a bit of a mistake with my first post though, I saw the Adult section and thought they meant adult as in OLD so posted first in there, but looking at the other thread titles afterwards I think they meant Cough Cough Adult. Typical of me in all honesty, bit too literal for my own good.

It is a nice welcome I have been given and I thank you again for that. Cheers.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

welcome back to the wrong planet i am still new here.

age is a fabrication. you are however age you honestly think you are.