New user Scientist introduces herself

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Hi,

I could tell you my real name, but that is not very informative and my username describes me better.

I was born and raised in Sittard, in the South of the Netherlands. I've always known I'm a bit different compared to most other people. At school and in private life I never really had problems, but I am different in social interactions (I am the passive type) and I have always been a quiet person and a bit shy (though I can, once I know someone better, also talk much and in some situations I can do or say things of which others say they wouldn't dare). I've always had friends but not too many and I've also had relationships, without major problems.

After I left High School (A level), I went to do Culture and Science Studies at Maastricht University at first, but I quit after two years (I thought it was interesting but too narrative for me, and during these studies I found out psychology is my main interest) and went to live on my own. After that I studied Psychology at the University of Nijmegen and lived in Nijmegen. I graduated (MSc) in Experimental Psychology (a program on sensory information processing and motor control).

After my Master's I worked as a research fellow doing scientific research at the University of Nijmegen. Then I moved to Vlaardingen, near Rotterdam, and I started doing a PhD project (which in the Netherlands is a job) at Erasmus University Rotterdam. After two years my supervisor became a professor at VU University in Amsterdam and our research group moved there. I commuted between Vlaardingen (Rotterdam) and Amsterdam.

I was in my last year of my PhD when I became ill, I got a psychosis and a severe depression, from too much stress. Therefore I spent 7 months in psychiatry ward in the hospital in Sittard, in the South of the Netherlands, and after that I lived with my parents for a while.

Since a few months now I'm happy to live on my own again, in my flat in Sittard close to my family. I'm still in outpatient treatment (have medication, therapies and psychology and psychiatry counseling, I am btw very happy about my treatment and clinicians) and I'm happy now that I'm doing fine, treatment will be ended, the antipsychotic has been ended and if my condition will stay as good as it is now, the antidepressive will also be ended in a few months, and we will now try to see whether I can work again, in this area where I live now. I would love to do scientific research in my field again.

During the time I was in the hospital I've been examined psychologically and neuro-psychologically and about a year ago they diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder. I also wanted to know which form of autism I had and they also examined that and since a few weeks now I know that it is Asperger's Syndrome. It does explain things. I've read some books about it and I like recognising myself there.

I would like to meet other people who also have autism, who may be a bit like me, that's why I registered here at WrongPlanet. I've been reading around a bit and I think I like the atmosphere here.

My interests: science, experimental psychology, psychophysics and music (listening and playing (guitar))

My favourite book: Quirkology, the curious science of everyday lives, by Richard Wiseman

My favourite dvd: Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure

And in case you like numbers, like I do:
04-12-1975 (dd-mm-yyyy)
33
my first and last name (I only have 2 names) are both exactly 7 letters
AQ (Baron-Cohen, 2001): 35 (exactly the average for HFA and AS people )

Oh, and I have a question: why does it say "Emu Egg" below my username?

Welcome! I'm fairly new here, too.

Welcome to the right side of the Wrong planet .

As for the Emu Egg, that's kinda like a "user rank," like leveling up in some RPGs. Instead of levels, we have ranks. Once you get up to 1000 posts, you're able to customize your rank (Final rank is phoenix, but you don't necessarily have to keep it). So, have a look around, interact, talk, chat, research, whatever you like . . . we're here to support and inform . . . or just be crazy together.

Hi Scientist - welcome to WP!

"Emu Egg" is the first in a series of automatic rankings, based on the number of posts you have made. I think the ranks are all either birds, or flying things ("Butterfly," for example.)

Hello and welcome, from another science geek.

OK, thanks for your replies!

That's why I'm a 'yellow-bellied woodpecker'!

Hello, and welcome greetings to the Wrong Planet neighborhood, Scientist. Here's the list of the "avian progression":
Emu Egg 0-8
Butterfly 9-17
Hummingbird 18-24
Tufted Titmouse 25-49
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker 50-74
Blue Jay 75-99
Raven 100-124
Snowy Owl 125-174
Pileated Woodpecker 175-199
Sea Gull 200-249
Tucan 250-299
Dienonychus 300-399
Velociraptor 400-499
Phoenix 500-999
Custom Title 1000+

Welcome to WP!

Hello. I get to name myself but had to do it all within the constraint of no "E"

I believe it was Sinsboldly who suggested that.

Hiya dutchie scientist and welcome to us and our forum! I hope you will enjoy beeing here and share experiences with us. I like your avatar. I assume its you

Welcome, welcome, welcome!

Have a scientastic day!

Have a scientastic day!

Hoi, welkom hier.

I saw that you found the Dutch-language topic already, could be useful for specific Dutch questions.

It would be nice if you could get into the scientific work again. Scientific work was one of my goals, but I 'ended' up in IT. Did you consider to get a job in a company? It can be really structured and has also some financial benefits.