EstherJ
Veteran
Joined: 4 Apr 2012
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Posts: 1,041
Location: The long-lost library at Alexandria
12 May 2012, 3:05 am
Ok, that's just weird.
I'm almost 21, and this year, EVERYTHING has seemed markedly worse....
Or, maybe I just am noticing more. It only dawned on me this year that I might even have Asperger's, however, my psychologist cleared up any doubt.
My OCD has gotten worse - It peaked when I was 10-11, then dropped off, then peaked at 19 again, and now it's how I function.
My stims have gotten worse...I used to just twirl my fingers and rock, but now, only hand-flapping and rocking more, as well as fixating, does the trick for me.
I have had a lot more meltdowns...and they've been more severe. I used to never spin, or pace, when having a meltdown, but I have always banged my head....I remember that broken window.
The only things that have stayed constant have been my interests and my social issues....they're pretty much solidly the same.
Here's the clincher - Did I just find out, and become more aware? I have done things like this all my life, of course, but I thought it was "normal." Am I forgetting some behavior as normal that was really autistic?
I've been soooo stressed, did stress bring it out? But, I've been stressed so much worse as a teen when I was being abused....and I didn't think I did anything abnormal....but then again, I didn't know.
So, I'm not helping the question. But I'm intensely curious - DOES Asperger's/Autism get worse with age, or get worse for a while around 20-25?
Oh dear 
12 May 2012, 3:33 am
12 May 2012, 4:00 am
Verdandi
Veteran
Joined: 7 Dec 2010
Age: 54
Gender: Female
Posts: 12,275
Location: University of California Sunnydale (fictional location - Real location Olympia, WA)
12 May 2012, 4:23 am
12 May 2012, 4:47 am
12 May 2012, 7:43 am
I'm almost 21, and this year, EVERYTHING has seemed markedly worse....
Or, maybe I just am noticing more. It only dawned on me this year that I might even have Asperger's, however, my psychologist cleared up any doubt.
My OCD has gotten worse - It peaked when I was 10-11, then dropped off, then peaked at 19 again, and now it's how I function.
My stims have gotten worse...I used to just twirl my fingers and rock, but now, only hand-flapping and rocking more, as well as fixating, does the trick for me.
I have had a lot more meltdowns...and they've been more severe. I used to never spin, or pace, when having a meltdown, but I have always banged my head....I remember that broken window.
The only things that have stayed constant have been my interests and my social issues....they're pretty much solidly the same.
Here's the clincher - Did I just find out, and become more aware? I have done things like this all my life, of course, but I thought it was "normal." Am I forgetting some behavior as normal that was really autistic?
I've been soooo stressed, did stress bring it out? But, I've been stressed so much worse as a teen when I was being abused....and I didn't think I did anything abnormal....but then again, I didn't know.
So, I'm not helping the question. But I'm intensely curious - DOES Asperger's/Autism get worse with age, or get worse for a while around 20-25?
Oh dear
I wrote this awhile ago but based on the answers here I think a lot of people on the spectrum and those on the BAP go through a phase around this age.
I'm actually feeling better since I wrote this. I guess the phase lasted about 4 years. Maybe it's something doctors have also observed but don't really talk about because there is so much association with mental illness in AS and especially fear of developing schizophrenia for many.
The brain technically never stops developing but the last major changes occur around 21-25. I can see that causing some changes in behavior and thinking style.
I'm able to deal with people now, the sensory issues have lessened but a few things seem to be a permanent change:
-my memory isn't what it once was. My rote memory is still good, but my memory of conversation/daily life is really just different.
-much less patience. I just don't have it.
-I'm actually more ambitious. Also more concrete in my thinking.
You see the same thing with NTs, I just think people with autistic traits experience something a little more intense around this time. So those of you who are going through this, I wouldn't worry.
I was really thinking I was going to lose my mind for awhile but now I'm basically my old self, with some slight changes and improvements in some areas.
12 May 2012, 7:45 am
I'm almost 21, and this year, EVERYTHING has seemed markedly worse....
Or, maybe I just am noticing more. It only dawned on me this year that I might even have Asperger's, however, my psychologist cleared up any doubt.
My OCD has gotten worse - It peaked when I was 10-11, then dropped off, then peaked at 19 again, and now it's how I function.
My stims have gotten worse...I used to just twirl my fingers and rock, but now, only hand-flapping and rocking more, as well as fixating, does the trick for me.
I have had a lot more meltdowns...and they've been more severe. I used to never spin, or pace, when having a meltdown, but I have always banged my head....I remember that broken window.
The only things that have stayed constant have been my interests and my social issues....they're pretty much solidly the same.
Here's the clincher - Did I just find out, and become more aware? I have done things like this all my life, of course, but I thought it was "normal." Am I forgetting some behavior as normal that was really autistic?
I've been soooo stressed, did stress bring it out? But, I've been stressed so much worse as a teen when I was being abused....and I didn't think I did anything abnormal....but then again, I didn't know.
So, I'm not helping the question. But I'm intensely curious - DOES Asperger's/Autism get worse with age, or get worse for a while around 20-25?
Oh dear
I wrote this awhile ago but based on the answers here I think a lot of people on the spectrum and those on the BAP go through a phase around this age.
I'm actually feeling better since I wrote this. I guess the phase lasted about 4 years. Maybe it's something doctors have also observed but don't really talk about because there is so much association with mental illness in AS and especially fear of developing schizophrenia for many.
The brain technically never stops developing but the last major changes occur around 21-25. I can see that causing some changes in behavior and thinking style.
I'm able to deal with people now, the sensory issues have lessened but a few things seem to be a permanent change:
-my memory isn't what it once was. My rote memory is still good, but my memory of conversation/daily life is really just different. I think this has more to do with narrow focus.
-much less patience. I just don't have it.
-I'm actually more ambitious. Also more concrete in my thinking.
You see the same thing with NTs, I just think people with autistic traits experience something a little more intense around this time. So those of you who are going through this, I wouldn't worry.
I was really thinking I was going to lose my mind for awhile but now I'm basically my old self, with some slight changes and improvements in some areas.
Blindspot149
Veteran
Joined: 7 Oct 2009
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,516
Location: Aspergers Quadrant, INTJ, AQ 45/50
12 May 2012, 8:13 am
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