New guy, help!

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Hi there. I'm a 42 year old Norwegian guy. I didn't really know what asperger's was until I stumbled across the Wiki page a few days ago - my image of autism was something like Rainman. The funny thing was that a lot of it seemed to fit (but some of it didn't). So I'm hoping from some feedback from you experts. I'm not really after a diagnosis, just wondering if I might fit somewhere on this spectrum.

I've always felt different - I can definately identify with the wrong planet-thing.

Eye contact is pretty much impossible for me. I can do it if I concentrate, but I don't think I come across as very natural. I hear a lot that I seem distant or arrogant, even when I try to be friendly with people. I never had a teacher who didn't complain that I was spaced out. Small talk, soap operas and reality tv bores me to tears, and I have problems keeping a conversation going, even with people I've known for years. I think I read faces ok, but apparently I can be blunt and undiplomatic, and I've insulted people without intending to. I pretty much have to be drunk to feel completely at ease in a social situation. When somebody tries to become friends with me, they always end up backing away. I know I'm supposed to give something back, but I have no clue what it is.

When I was growing up, I was obsessed with astronomy and cosmology, while all the other kids were into mopeds and football. They called me "the professor" for a while. I was bullied pretty badly in school, picked last for the football team, the whole sob story... Later I sold my telescope for a guitar amp, which is what probably saved me from total geekdom. Other interests have included philosphy, computers, classical guitar, fiction and writing. When I was 17, I spent half a year in the university library, trying to read every book they had on philosophy, which seems weird now, even to me.

However, I have no special interest in math, numbers or details. I never had a harder time than other guys getting a girlfriend. I would go bonkers if I was stuck in a room by myself, doing a routine task all day. I don't need to plan things in advance, and I'm not sensitive to light or noises.

I've had a lot of problems with depression, including one clinical one, which I suppose could account for some of this. I've also considered the social phobia angle. But I've done some things that i don't think a phobic would do, such as playing concerts, being a street musician, and a stint as a journalist. Oh, and the aspie-quiz tells me I'm both aspie and neurotypical, whatever that means...

Anyway, excuse my looong ramble. I'd appreciate some comments on this.

Welcome stitch!

yo

Good to have you!

okay, i truly didn't feel like reading what you wrote before but i felt like reading just now, so here's my feedback.
"However, I have no special interest in math, numbers or details. I never had a harder time than other guys getting a girlfriend. I would go bonkers if I was stuck in a room by myself, doing a routine task all day. I don't need to plan things in advance."
i'm horrible at math. not all aspies are good at math some are stronger in english and some are horrible at many things. i hate routines made up by other people and only enjoy following routines made up by me. "I don't need to plan things in advance." yeah, what you said.

you probably were reading all those philosophy book because you were looking for some guidance and were probably lonely in the university with no one to talk to. if you had someone to talk to then you probably didn't trust that or those person/people for advice on life

okay, something annoys me...why on earth would you get rid of you telescope? geekdom? you're not a label your a person! come on, man...i've been wanting a telescope for so long!

oh, and yo.

fanny, you're umm...avatar is humongous. my head hurts.

Thanks for the welcomes

The telescope comment was mostly a joke :p I bought a new telescope a couple of years ago, and really wish i could afford an 8-9 inch sct Get a 6-8 inch dobsonian if you want one, Tinky (the ones that look like little rocket launchers). You can see plenty with those, and they're cheap and easy to use.

Welcome to WP!

Tim

Hi Stitch, welcome to WP. Hope you enjoy it here.