[Carl Goodman]

I'm new to this forum. I have recently come to believe that I have many signs of Aspergers. The one glaring one to me is the lack of relationships that I have had or now have. I am 56 years old and haven't had the ability to have any relationships whatever. Social situations horrify me, and I find myself rehursing everything I do before hand as to try and "get it right this time". After reading about Aspergers, for once I feel that there might be a possible explanation for the confusion I have felt all my life with just doing average everyday things. My question, to anyone who can help is: What is my first step to getting a diagnosis and treatment. I have an appointment with a regular Psyciatrist in a month or so, but it seems that many of them overlook many things that we know and can't express. Has anyone gone through anything simular? Any help you can give me, I would greatly appreciate. Thank You.

[JoyDivision7680]

Hello and welcome to PC!
First of all, unfortunately for some of us, the only treatment we can get is group therapy, if we want to integrate well into society. Asperger's is not a disorder, but -as I like to call it- a way to be. It's something one's born with.
In my search for knowledge regarding this syndrome, I've come across the following article. I find it very well written, it can help you! Good luck

Think You Might Have Asperger?s Syndrome? | Life on the Spectrum

[rosska]

That is a good article, MotherMan. I can definitely agree with that feeling of loss after the diagnosis, with constantly thinking how different life could have been had I been diagnosed as a child.

[JoyDivision7680]

Same here! I guess my parents weren't worried about the differences between me and other kids my age, and I can't really blame them since I would often try to socialise and be like others. But I guess my childhood would have been full of apointments, social-related stuff and other crap I don't need.

[Shempy87]

I read the article myself and found it to be very interesting and enlightening! As you mentioned about rehearsing everything beforehand to try and get it right, that is mostly what I do, or at least did , until I eventually gave up from humiliating myself so much in the process!