I don't know if I have autism or not. I know it's quite late to notice but I never really thought about it until I heard the symptoms.
Firstly I'm really bad socially. I find myself unable to make any friends and I can barely talk to anyone without feeling anxious unless i know them really well. If I am ever in a group of people I cant say a word and I usually get quite scared and I hate it. I don't think i'm just a shy person because I find talking to people really difficult even if they are already my friends and I have to really think about any topic i can talk about with them just to have a conversation. I never go out with my friends because I get scared of there being a lot of people i don't know.
I read an article online written by an autistic person about working. I work at a card shop and and i agreed with everything they said. I find it very difficult when i'm given more than one thing to do at once, I need people to explain every detail of what they want me to do otherwise I get confused, it's really difficult talking to customers and i feel REALLY uncomfortable there.
I don't really know the main symptoms of autism for someone who is not a child but if someone could tell me them i'd be very thankful. I can describe my symptoms more thoroughly also.
I really hope you don't think i'm just a shy teenager who is overeacting because I really want a reason for why i'm like this.
Last edited by Administrator; 07-13-2010 at 10:33 PM.
Autism, as you may know, has such a wide spectrum. The fact that you are socially withdrawn, could mean you have social anxiety. The fact that you need everything explained to you step by step could also be a learning disability, not necessarily Autism.
I highly recommend that you see a specialist. A clinical psychologist can thoroughly evaluate you. There is help out there, you just need to know how to access it. You could also start with your own family doctor to point you in the right direction.
I could give you examples of symptoms of Autism that I have experienced with my 15 year son, but he was diagnosed when he was a toddler. Though I know that there are adults who have been diagnosed with Aspergers, which is another form of Autism. It's just best to get a professional opinion. If your primary doctor doesn't take you seriously, then find someone else who will listen. Doctors don't know everything.
Take care of yourself & I hope you have family support!
Keep In Touch!
Last edited by Administrator; 07-13-2010 at 10:36 PM.
I agree that an evaluation with a professional will not only give you the answers you seek, but help you with some of your problem areas as well. Talk to your parents about setting up an appointment for you with. Good luck to you.
I agree that an evaluation with a professional will not only give you the answers you seek, but help you with some of your problem areas as well. Talk to your parents about setting up an appointment for you with. Good luck to you.
I agree with this comment. Only a professional can diagnose any health issue you may be experienceing, and help you get the treatment necessary so you can feel better .
mscat
I also agree that you should seek the services of a professional.
As well, I was diagnosed with social anxiety as a teenager.
I was also identified/diagnosed as being an Aspie in my adult life.
I have attended social groups for people with social anxiety, people who are Aspies and Aspies who've been told they have social anxiety but don't think so.
I find that the questions that are asked to figure out whether someone has social anxiety are very leading when you consider some of the reasons an Aspie might come across as socially anxious.
At least, in my own experience, it was my sensory issues that were keeping me from going outside. I had a psychoeducational assessment done to rule out any learning disabilities.
I too get confused when people aren't concise. They might think they're being straightforward until they meet me. lol. After getting over the whole 'it's me' attitude, I began to embrace my need for literal terms and asked more often for clarification...it's just that now, I am comfortable enough with myself to explain to the person why what they said didn't make sense for me. More times than not, they agree.
This is such an unprofessional opinion, but I have that problem too with some of my closest friends I've had since middle school and I'm 21 now! I find that it's good to spend by myself, doing the things I like and finding out what exactly I feel comfortable doing...then I invite my friends to do it with me! That way I have something to talk about and as long as I'm interested they are too. For example, I like painting so I keep a couple of blank boards around so when I feel like being social I can invite a friend to come paint with me! I love it, it's the only way I really socialize.
Hope this helped
Last edited by Administrator; 07-13-2010 at 10:36 PM.
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I second what other people here have written to you. There is a diagnosis of social anxiety that is not connected to autism, and it sounds to me like you experience a great deal of social anxiety. Talk to your parents about taking you to see a psychologist. A psychologist can evaluate you, treat you and also refer you to other services such as medication if need be.
Autism is a wide spectrum disorder. You may or may not have characteristics of it. Regardless, I think what would be treated in your case is the social anxiety you seem to experience. It would be worthwhile for you to pursue further investigation and treatment, if need be, by someone qualified in making that call.
Good luck to you,
Rose
Last edited by Administrator; 07-13-2010 at 10:37 PM.
