Hello, I'm being referred for an ASD assessment and would really appreciate hearing from others who have been diagnosed as adults.
I was considered awkward, difficult, and different as a child. To me I was just me. I wouldn't open gifts in front of people, hid under the bed at my own party, preferred one to ones and didn't like groups, felt overwhelmed and sad and angry on a regular basis and like I was on always on the outside of family, friendship groups. I didn't fit in anywhere.
As a teen and young adult I had an eating disorder and was depressed, a school refuser and very anxious.
As an adult I don't have close friendships and those I have had haven't lasted due to me gravitating towards troubled people who have turned out to be two-faced and unreliable. Two things I can't bear. I have huge sensory issues. My hearing, sense of smell and touch are very sensitised. I wear sunglasses on full, cloudy days all year round, can't bear the sound of people chewing, swallowing, sniffing, clearing their throats, clicking keyboards, clicking heels, you get the idea. I can't stand the feel of certain things or certain clothes. I'm told my face is giving dirty looks but I'm not aware of it, I struggle with taking turns in conversations and always seem to interrupt or talk over people and if in a group I don't know where to look or when to talk. Eye contact makes me uncomfortable. I do it but I don't like it. I find people perplexing. I have good empathy and feel emotions very intensely.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? Have you find ways to cope with things?