Keepin' it real I guess...

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veridicus
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

Joined: 1 Nov 2006
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Posts: 72

05 Nov 2006, 6:16 pm

Hello.
My name is Joe, and I'm a 27-year old self-diagnosed AS. I only first really looked into
Asperger's Syndrome about two weeks ago...and since then I've been reading about it non-stop and frequently find myself visiting this site in my free time. I'd seen a report on asperger's syndrome that featured a guy addicted to online gaming who never left the house. It didn't immediately click based on seeing that report that I might have the same problem. Extremely glad I finally really got into researching... If I hadn't... :?:

It's a very strange feeling to have read so many accounts that were so similar to my life experience. I'm not used to having such a commonality with so many people, and as much as it is difficult to "assume the mantle" of an autistic-spectrum disorder it is also nice to know that I'm not alone. It is also something of a relief to think that I may have found a reason to stop tormenting myself about certain aspects of my personality.
I've seen a number of mental health professionals in my time. None of them ever even considered asperger's as a diagnosis- either they just weren't up to snuff or maybe more likely I was reticent about my social difficulties. So I've been diagnosed with cyclothymia - about 6 years ago- and depression - in my teens. As I'm sure so many of you have experienced, the SSRI and talk therapies for these diagnoses got me nowhere fast.
I can't tell you how much I wish that knowledge of asperger's had emerged sooner, especially when I was in school.

I've not had medical insurance for years, though I will be covered through my job soon. I was planning on at least seeking treatment for depression and anxiety - both of which have been pretty acute this year. Not sure how much it would benefit me to seek an AS dx.

Ok don't want to drone on too long about me (sprry, I know I probably have), but I'll briefly mention I enjoy Music, art, philosophy, science,tea...basically anything intellectually stimulating when I actually have the attention span to absorb it.

It's good to be here...I must be taking a step in the right direction.