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I don't know if I have Asperger syndrome. Some have stated that I may have it. All I know is my life has been screwed up for as long as I been alive and things aren't getting better.

I was my own world when I was a kid, had extreme social anxiety in my teens and twenties (I'm now 37), and have always had problems living on my own and holding a job. I have made a lot of mistakes and while personality-wise I'm better than I was, it is just coming to the point where I'm starting to realize that I'm never going to "fit in" anywhere (even though not "fitting in" is something I used to pride myself with). I feel extremely isolated and misunderstood. Don't know what the deal is, but I'm sure I'm somewhere on the spectrum. Anyway, hello.

Hi. Welcome to the Planet of the Apes. Oops! Wrong Planet.

Hi from me too. You know, I could have written that exact same post, except my age is 45.

How do I go about getting diagnosed?

Certain doctors are able to do it but ive heard of test being done all over the place. I got it from a therapist after my primary physician told my mom i may have it. But technically its a test. People mention it on here all the time. Kinda like a rorshach . What is this? Ink smudge. Yes but what else? ....Purple ink smudge? ya know stuff like that

If you just go to some doctor or psychiatrist, you might not get taken seriously if they don't know enough about it. If you try that, keep in mind they may be wrong if they say 'they don't think so'.

Try to find a Asperger's support center, or something that specifically deal with it. If they don't have resources to diagnose you, they may know where you can go in you area to get it.

But, I will just say, many on this site are not diagnosed. I think the majority of them probably have it right, that they have AS. If you read around the site, and think back on your life, you may come to understand your situation more.

Consider whether you really need a diagnosis. How will it benefit you? Some people can claim various forms of help like a pension, but some are just happy to understand themselves better, and stop being unhappy just BECAUSE they are different, and learn to adjust their lives to suit themselves better with the new knowledge.

I just want to know what's "wrong" with me. They wanted to test me in elementary school but my mother wouldn't allow it because she didn't want me be labeled. Now 30+ years later, I'm more aware of myself and keep seeing the same patterns happening over and over again with me. Poor choices. Not addressing the real problems in my life, trying to focus on achieving things that may never get me anywhere. Becoming more lost and secluded but not being "normal" or "typical" is really starting to affect me in a negative way. So many social problems have plagued my life and so many bad relationships. I have many talents but am slowly starting to realize how little having "talent" matters. My life is getting sadder and sadder as it goes on. And I'm finally starting to really believe that it will never get better and I will always feel isolated like this.

Again, sound a lot like me. I don't have an official diagnosis. I did a psychology course over the summer, and for credit towards my course, I participated in some studies. One of these happened to need a NT group and a AS group. I filled out the form designed to confirm that I was indeed NT, and after it was all over, they told me according to the results of my questionnaire, I was probably a member of the other group. Then they directed mt to WP, and suggested I see their expert on this, and I will do that in a few weeks when she is available.
I am supposed to graduate in June and get a job. I need to be sure I don't hang myself again with another poor choice, so I figure I have a few months to come to grips with my limitations, and identify what jobs in my field are likely to work for me. I will graduate as a geologist, and am really good at making maps, so this is a start. Maybe a mine is not so good.

I now realize I have tried to be 'normal' i.e. to do things like everyone else, when I was not. I have different strengths and different weaknesses and need to take them seriously, instead of ASSUMING that just because most people make a particular choice, that I should make it too.
If I know, for example, that I can't handle interruptions well, then don't work in a toyshop at Christmas time, or as a busy receptionist, or whatever. I clean a house on Fridays, and the repetition makes me want to scream. I vacuum in different configurations just to get some variety. Or I drug myself with music. So nothing too repetitive.
I don't bother with 'what's wrong with me' anymore. I just identify what I like and don't like, do and don't do well, and work with that. If I get invited to another mega Russian wedding, I don't go if I feel it is too much. I won't make myself spend time and money just to look like what everyone thinks I should, while inside I am miserable and trying to survive it. They enjoy it, BUT I DON'T.

I did get married, do have kids, and my life was an empty black pit until I was 29. Things can change. Don't write yourself off. There are things to try before you do that.

Welcome fotografic,

Are you willing to tell us in what country you are located? Sometimes people from the same country can help you with your options for getting diagnosed and for finding resources in general.

I hope you find what you're looking for, but I also hope that you accept yourself even when you do find out you may have certain limitations. Maybe realizing that some of what contributed to your poor choices over the years is neurological can help you to accept your past and learn from it rather than simply blame yourself. Also, being different doesn't always have to mean there's something "wrong" with you. (You aren't the only one who is different on this planet.)

I used to wonder for years about myself... and now that I know what it is, I'm much happier for the knowledge. I also made some terrible life choices, but I can put them behind me and start over without necessarily being ashamed of who I was (and am), like I used to be.

I own it. I own it then roll with it. And change to the best of my ability sometimes it is hard. However, there are sometimes support like on here that can help you through difficult times such as now.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VQ_3sBZEm0&list=FLkk-qL4Q0yZGFXzwaSmJt6g[/youtube]

I am self diagnosed at 54,, it is such a relief to know why I have never fitted in,,,I spent54 years fighting who I am,,, trying to be NT,, for the first time in my life an underlying depression has lifted,,and I feel like I am let out of a prison,,
as for an official diagnose,,I doubt ill seek one,, I can work, have worked all my life,, now I can make the appropriate accommodations for myself.. I am in a profession that could pull my license in certain states so in my case better to find a new career where an aspie is accepted,, then maybe Ill get one,, maybe not.

I'm the United States. Las Vegas, Nevada to be precise.

are you good with numbers?

numbers interest???

No, I'm good with cameras.