Hi everyone, I'm new here

homunculus420 · Butterfly Joined: May 23, 2012 Posts: 11

Hi

Im a 24 year old female living currently in Eastern Europe. I was never diagnosed with anything, because for my parents anything to do with mental problems and psychiatry is the ultimate shame, and only "crazy degenerates" see psychiatrists. And now, at the age of 24, I don't think seeing a psychiatrist and getting a "label" will help with anything. I've already recognized my own limitations and am trying to overcome them. But I am absolutely certain that I was born not neurotypical. I don't know if I have Aspergers or what, but as my boyfriend puts it, I am "socially and emotionally retarded". I had extreme difficulties growing up, I won't go into detail about them now, but I never got any form of support from my parents (I dont think they ever even realized I needed help) and ended up as a teenage drunk because that was the only way that I had learned to deal with my problems.
Temple Grandin's story was a big inspiration for me, it showed me that there is hope and that I dont have to be doomed to social exclusion. Im currently studying psychology at university since a few years, so things have gotten alot better- I've learned about people and social skills and nonverbal communication and have been practicing. I am now able to make small talk, carry on conversations, and generally can interact with people better. It doesnt always work out well, and I frequently make mistakes, yet I learn from the mistakes and try not to do them again. Its difficult but rewarding. I still have a long way to go, but theres an enormous difference between how I am now, and how I functioned 10 years ago.

So yeah, thats a bit about me Smile