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Recent content by Ed#

  1. Ed#

    Back again to try to figure myself out

    Cool. Thanks. I ordered a copy. I've gone through several books myself, with limited success. In case you're interested: Tony Attwood's Complete Guide to Asperberger's was thorough but dwelt too much on childhood manifestations and clinical presentation for me. It was part of why I...
  2. Ed#

    Back again to try to figure myself out

    I've heard the same advice from Paul M. on his Youtube channel. The #1 tip he gives for figuring out whether you're autistic is to meet and interact with other autistic individuals. I live in a relatively small town (50k), so I doubt there are in-person autism support groups, although I'll...
  3. Ed#

    Back again to try to figure myself out

    Well, for me, it is just another way of understanding myself. It helps to put context to my experiences. It helps to explain some of my struggles. It may help to relieve some guilt or shame. It may help me go easier on myself. It may help me better appreciate my limits or to better...
  4. Ed#

    Back again to try to figure myself out

    I was a member here for a short time back in 2023, three years ago. At the time, I thought I might be autistic. I was exploring the subject -- reading books, watching videos, listening to autistic people describe their experience. I found a lot of similarities between myself and autistic...
  5. Ed#

    Whenever I am my true self, I feel embarrassed and ashamed. How do date?

    I'll add a somewhat cynical note. You really can't be your complete, true self in a relationship. The only place you can be 100% your true, genuine self is when you are alone. Now, I realize that will cause people in relationship to protest, but hear me out. In any close, committed...
  6. Ed#

    Aching heart, crying mind

    That's how it goes with most addictions (I'm assuming an addiction, since you describe it like that; forgive me if I'm mistaken). People use addictions (drugs, alcohol, porn, games, whatever) to make a painful reality more tolerable. In the process, they make the situation worse, because...
  7. Ed#

    Dimentia and leaving

    Sounds to me like you need to see a doctor. It's really not a good idea to self-diagnose dementia. There are many other potential causes for memory problems. Please see a medical professional before concluding that you have Alzheimers.
  8. Ed#

    Dimentia and leaving

    Have you actually been diagnosed with Alzheimers or another form of dementia? I saw your other post earlier, and I was confused as to whether you'd actually been diagnosed or not. It sounded more like you were fishing around for possibilities (as does the first remark). If you're not...
  9. Ed#

    Is talking to yourself considered a form of stimming?

    I talk to myself a lot. I don't think I'm autistic, so it probably isn't something specific to autism. I like talking to myself for a few reasons. 1. It's a good way to sort out what I am thinking. Flannery O'Connor, the writer, said this: "I write in order to know what I think." I do...
  10. Ed#

    My isolated castle.

    Well, you can probably recoup some of those costs by selling them on ebay. Personally, I don't spend much money on trying to entice or entertain other people. Granted, I don't have many visitors to my home, but nearly everything I purchase is because I enjoy it or I think it will add value to...
  11. Ed#

    crying

    I'm right there with the people who say they cry at animal stories. Not just the happy ones (like the video posted earlier), but also videos about animal cruelty. That stuff enrages me and also makes me cry. That's a different cry -- a cry of outrage and frustration. Stories about animal...
  12. Ed#

    Hi. Old newb here.

    Thanks, Luca. I'll think about that. I appreciate the inclusion. I notice that definitions of autism can be very idiosyncratic sometimes. I guess that makes sense, given the nature of autism. Originally, I based my self-assessment on some Youtube videos that talked about "signs that you...
  13. Ed#

    Hi. Old newb here.

    No, I self-diagnosed and then, after learning more, un-diagnosed myself. In retrospect, I can see that my self-diagnosis was based on a superficial understanding of autism. As I learned more, I realized that the label just didn't fit. Thanks. I'll think about that. It's an interesting group...
  14. Ed#

    Hi. Old newb here.

    Woops, well I just determined that, in fact, I am not on the spectrum. I have spent the past couple of weeks knee-deep in material on autism and Aspergers. Although I initially thought many of the symptoms and traits fit me, I have come to realize that I over-diagnosed myself. As I gained...
  15. Ed#

    Curious about Aphantasia

    Yes. I can recall images of things I've seen before, but I have difficulty creating them from scratch. If you ask me to imagine my "happy place," I will recall a place I have been to before -- most likely somewhere in the woods or mountains. But if you ask me to visually create a happy place...
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