Hi, newbie here. Am I Autistic/Asperger's?

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Swimming_Planet
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05 Jun 2006, 9:08 am

I was diagnosed as High-functioning at age 15, and originally accepted it grundgingly, but over the years have come to increasingly question it. Or else, I have improved markedly from my high school years. I'll just briefly describe myself, and then you can make a conclusion;

I'm a 20yo university student from Perth, Western Australia, who studies Urban planning. I've been in Perth my whole life. Anyway, as a young child I tended to have obsessions which included my pre-occupation with dinosaurs.etc. My parents often like to embarrass me recounting this, lol. Anyway, I was pretty normal throughout primary (elementary school). I had friends like any normal kid, could have normal conversations, was pretty much emotionally normal, although I felt I was also very shy and inhibited.
Then in 1998 I had a traumatic experienced which precipitated a downward spiral (I was 12). I was afflicted with trauma-related anxiety, given medication.etc for it, and ended a miserable first year of high school alone, frequently depressed and anti-social. This continued through high school. I did, however, have many 'abnormal' obsessions - like creating my own 'Star Wars' Universe, spending most of my time reading up about Star Wars, sci-fi.etc. At age 15 I developed an obsession with weather - I would compulsively search through weather stats, reports.etc, too apathetic to bother seeking socialisation. I also had extremely low self-esteem.etc.
That year I was also diagnosed with High functioning, and also told I had an exceptionally high verbal I.Q. The basis of the diagnosis was the fact I had troubling socialising and was obsessive, and apparently couldn't understand the normal nuances of society.
Now fast forward to today. I still have few friends (mostly high school ones) but find I am much more socially 'in-tune' with the world at large, am attempting to start a relationship.etc. I have no problem with interpreting humour, subtle emotional signals (well, not always I guess) - in fact some people who know me well would say I have a healthy (or unhealthy, lol) sense of humour!

Anyway, from this description, do you think the Diagnosis was correct? I think I most likely do have a very mild manifestation of the condition, but am not sure if it is advanced enough to be labelled 'Autism.' Anyone? Your reply will be greatly appreciated.



Iammeandnooneelse
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05 Jun 2006, 9:17 am

Please briefly describe your high-school self.



Swimming_Planet
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05 Jun 2006, 9:26 am

Iammeandnooneelse wrote:
Please briefly describe your high-school self.


Ok, I was a classical loner, but I think alot of this stemmed from various other mental health problems like anxiety/depression. First of, I was VERY depressed when I was 13-14-15, and sort of felt drawn into myself. I just wanted to escape from EVERYTHING, like I'd go to the library most lunch-times and just read (both fiction and non-fiction). But the most important thing was I did WANT friends, to socialise etc. I tried joining in some conversations, but found I was generally too shy/lacked confidence. I know one other kid who had alot worse Autism/asperger's than me (If I indeed really do have it, I guess it doesn't really make much difference to my life, just a name after all)...he was always alone.
Now I found I'm a lot more confident, can make jokes.etc. I don't have a problem with eye-contact, although at times I perform slightly strange gestures. In HS I was a bit of a teacher's pet; I was a daydreamer prone to dreamer, fantasizing etc. I didn't have a girlfriend, but had a few crushes, lol. Then Graduation came, and yeah, that's about it.



alexa232
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05 Jun 2006, 12:29 pm

Welcome to wrongplanet,

HFA or not – in any case remember that you have your own unique personality, and that should be far more important than any lable given to you by any psychiatrist.
Stick around. Maybe you will find some answers.

Take care.

- Alexa