tomaustin95
Member
Just joined, I am a 46 year old male for whom the penny has dropped and just realised that I am probably Aspie. For a while I have been aware I have ADHD, but my cousin agreed and then also said I was probably slightly autistic. It was then I started reading the books and academic literature and it was like reading my own biography.....where do I start??
Since childhood I have never really "fitted in"....was never one of the pack and always was a loner. Seldom went to other kids' houses or played in the street. Spent my evenings playing with Lego or reading books. Somehow I always felt different to the other boys.
Worst part of school was the expectation to do team sports, especially football (soccer) where I live.... if you are male you are simply expected to be into it and if you are not them you are quickly singled out as some sort of freak. This led onto a lot of bullying and being treated like an outcast. By my teenage years I became very depressed and anxious. Anxiety is becoming a real burden as I have reached middle age. Even simple problems can seem overwhelming
Other symptoms??
- roll my eyes as I speak to someone, I only realised this when I videoed myself talking
- Hyperlexia as an infant, my teachers were astounded at my ability to read at speed from a very early age!
- Fussy eating - hate strong tastes, anything plant based I literally gag and try to be sick if I put it in my mouth
- Hate noisy places and noisy people
- Don't like tight fitting clothes...never wear shirt and tie unless I absolutely have to, very fussy about shoes in particular. Always wear sneakers/trainers as a general rule
- Never been much of a mixer and I get anxious at social situations or having to make conversation with strangers.
- Lots of geeky interests! A few I am obsessive about
- Take everything literally.... sometimes I just don't 'get' idioms or jokes.
- Give hyperfocus to some things, with others I just can't get my mind in gear (this is probably more ADHD admittedly...)
Well this has been a long introduction, but you all get the picture!
Since childhood I have never really "fitted in"....was never one of the pack and always was a loner. Seldom went to other kids' houses or played in the street. Spent my evenings playing with Lego or reading books. Somehow I always felt different to the other boys.
Worst part of school was the expectation to do team sports, especially football (soccer) where I live.... if you are male you are simply expected to be into it and if you are not them you are quickly singled out as some sort of freak. This led onto a lot of bullying and being treated like an outcast. By my teenage years I became very depressed and anxious. Anxiety is becoming a real burden as I have reached middle age. Even simple problems can seem overwhelming
Other symptoms??
- roll my eyes as I speak to someone, I only realised this when I videoed myself talking
- Hyperlexia as an infant, my teachers were astounded at my ability to read at speed from a very early age!
- Fussy eating - hate strong tastes, anything plant based I literally gag and try to be sick if I put it in my mouth
- Hate noisy places and noisy people
- Don't like tight fitting clothes...never wear shirt and tie unless I absolutely have to, very fussy about shoes in particular. Always wear sneakers/trainers as a general rule
- Never been much of a mixer and I get anxious at social situations or having to make conversation with strangers.
- Lots of geeky interests! A few I am obsessive about
- Take everything literally.... sometimes I just don't 'get' idioms or jokes.
- Give hyperfocus to some things, with others I just can't get my mind in gear (this is probably more ADHD admittedly...)
Well this has been a long introduction, but you all get the picture!
