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Aspie9224
Emu Egg
Emu Egg

Joined: 30 Jun 2016
Age: 33
Gender: Female
Posts: 1
Location: Wales

30 Jun 2016, 9:00 am

Hi,
I have only just been diagnosed with aspergers at the age of 24. I'm a female and they say I hide it well.
I don't have a special interest and I don't really have sensory issues apart from that I don't like crowds/busy places.
I am detained under a section 3 and was originally diagnosed with personality disorder as I suffer from depression and anxiety too.
I find social situations very difficult, my general knowledge is really awful and I don't have a clue how to talk to people as the things they are talking about 99% of the time I have no idea. I don't have many interests. I got good grades at school, but someone could ask me who a well know actor/singer is and I wouldn't have a clue.
I'm scared that I am not going to be able to get better, I can't even talk to my own family even saying hi to them is awkward as my mind is blank I have no idea what to talk about.
Please if anyone has any advice or similar situation please message back thanks :D



somanyspoons
Veteran
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Joined: 3 Jun 2016
Age: 49
Gender: Male
Posts: 995

30 Jun 2016, 11:03 am

So, the thing about those of use who are more normal presenting is that often our parents and teachers instinctively tried to force us to behave more normally when we are young. What this means is that you were exposed to training to be less autistic. You were told to deny your "real self." This is a set up for depression. It makes us think that we don't really have sensory problems, when really we have HUGE problems, but we've learned to write them off or pretend that they aren't there. We think that we don't have communication problems, but then we can't speak and we think we are just shy or we just don't have anything important to say. We think that we don't have this need to sameness and routine, but then we avoid being with other people so that we never have to have out way of doing things challenged.

Basically, when you're an autistic who's trying to live as if you are neurotypical, you learn to internalize a lot of the stuff you are going through. And then you get depressed. If you really are autistic, and you start to embrace this more, you will likely find your depression lifting. And yes, you will likely find yourself having a special interest and enjoying some of the more pleasant stuff that comes along with autism.



sonicallysensitive
Velociraptor
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Joined: 13 Nov 2014
Gender: Male
Posts: 486

30 Jun 2016, 11:35 am

Aspie9224 wrote:
Hi
Hi

Aspie9224 wrote:
I have only just been diagnosed with aspergers at the age of 24. I'm a female and they say I hide it well.
I don't have a special interest and I don't really have sensory issues apart from that I don't like crowds/busy places.

I find social situations very difficult, my general knowledge is really awful and I don't have a clue how to talk to people as the things they are talking about 99% of the time I have no idea. I don't have many interests.
Everyone presents differently.

Trying to force special interests etc as these are what many other autistics have would be the same as trying to force yourself to act 'normally' (whatever that means).



Aspie9224 wrote:
I got good grades at school, but someone could ask me who a well know actor/singer is and I wouldn't have a clue.
This is probably to your advantage and not a negative.

The less I know of actors/singers who are trying to sell me stuff I have no want nor need for, the better.



Aspie9224 wrote:
I'm scared that I am not going to be able to get better
It depends what you mean by 'better'.

Autism is considered a lifelong condition. So, in one sense: no, you won't get 'better'.

But this doesn't mean you cant make progress in the areas of your life you mention above.



Aspie9224 wrote:
Please if anyone has any advice or similar situation please message back thanks :D
Trying to 'act autistic' is likely as damaging as 'acting normal'.

Make contact with local autism services in your area of Wales. They'll be able to offer assistance/put you in contact with people who may be able to help with specifics (i.e. employment etc).