Hi I am a newbie

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Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum. I just turned 50 last year and am going for a formal assessment and diagnosis in a few weeks. I have spent most of my life really struggling with relationships (family, friends, partners as well as work colleagues), and also struggling with stress, anxiety and depression. Trying to have a career and stay in jobs for more than a few years has been difficult.

It only dawned on me that I could have Aspergers after a burnout/crash a few years ago that led to trying to find help (unsuccessfully). When I started reading about Aspergers, it was like a light bulb went on. Suddenly my issues and problems started to make sense. I feel like I am on the verge of a new journey of discovery about myself and a new chapter in my life.

I look forward to hearing how other Aspies have found ways to cope.

hi, babieca. welcome. i, too, felt grateful to learn that i am likely an aspie. what sorts of things do you like to do?

Welcome to the site!

Welcome,

My journey towards getting diagnosed was pretty similar. A couple of decades of limping from one fumbled opportunity to the next, then trying to get some help after deciding I'd had enough of the burnouts. Autism wasn't on my radar at all until a counsellor asked me whether anyone had suggested I might have Aspergers - that'll be just over a year ago now. Just coming to places like this is one of the best things I've done since knowing my diagnosis - I wish I hadn't waited until after I got my official diagnosis, with hindsight Finding other people to talk with about the real, lived experience of life on the spectrum has been far more profound than anything I discovered during my evaluation.

Hey Babieca welcome.

Hello, welcome to here

Thanks for all the welcomes.

And thanks for sharing your experience of the journey Trogluddite. I am glad to meet others going through similar experiences. I had previously thought I was just one of those people who would never 'make it' in life (have a successful career, lots of friends, a supportive family, etc). I always seem to struggle.

It is nice to know that there are others out there like me.

Hi cathylynn, I don't have a lot of hobbies but my two big passions in life are animals and travelling. What about you?

Welcome. I'm sure you will find people with similar experiences. I was diagnosed early but I struggle with anxiety, meltdowns, and making friends.

well, babieca, i like animals, too. i currently have a cat. every day i visit www.theanimalrescuesite.com every click gives food for shelter animals. i also like most types of music. i like to cook and eat healthily.

Hi cathylynn,

Sorry I haven't replied in a while. My laptop decide to die on me and it has taken a while to get it sorted again.

Thanks for the link to the animal rescue website. I will definitely click on there as I love helping animals. I have been volunteering with a local animal rescue near to where I live by fostering small animals. I have been doing this for the past 10 years and it is a lot of work but very rewarding. So far I have fostered rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, mice and hamsters. I also have two dogs, two chinchillas, a guinea pig, and a bearded lizard (all were rescues).

Is your cat a particular breed or a mix? I had a cat growing up (she was found in a field as a kitten being chased by a pack of dogs). Unfortunately I developed an allergy to cats since then so can't keep them anymore.

schmuppabubba smoke is a plain ordinary domestic short hair grey tabby. he's very affectionate, though. i asked the shelter where i got him for their most affectionate cat. it paid off. he's also smart. when i give the signal, he paws the cupboard door for treats. he comes when called. he's not a very cattish cat.

Welcome to Wrong Planet! It's nice to meet you

Thanks for the welcome SilentOne. I like your name.

And what a great name for a cat: schmuppabubba smoke! How did he earn that name? That is wonderful he is so affectionate. He sounds a bit more like a dog than a cat. My two dogs are very affectionate also. They are lap dogs and follow me around all day. One is a pug, the other is a small mixed breed. They actually fight over who gets the best lap spot.

I can't imagine life without my animals. They give so much back. Even the small ones. I had a mouse that loved to sit on my shoulder for ages, and a hamster who loved being held and would get upset if I didn't take her out of the cage every day and socialise with her.

Even the bearded lizard is surprisingly sociable. I have never had any experience with reptiles before him, but he loves to come out of his tank and run around the living room. He is much happier when someone is with him talking to him. He turns bright orange under his chin when he is happy, or black when he is unhappy, so you can tell his mood.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Welcome to WP

Your animals sound lovely.