I am a 48 year old male. All I do is stay in my room. My wife of 10 years has always known that I was different. No friends, no party's etc. Now I don't really care about anything it's like a major life change is no big deal. I just take it like a piece of paper, wad it up and throw it in the trash. Job of 26 years, house, transportation and on and on. I live with in-laws, have major depression, OCD and panic attacks. I also am bipolar,ll. With this new diagnoses I am probably not bi-polar. Any ideas i am just happy staying in my room. I am taking a lot of meds. Any information my life makes sense now.    COOLDOG.

Hi cooldog and welcome to AFF

Hi Cooldog, I am a 46 year old male and I worked out I am autistic less than 2 years ago.

Shutting yourself off from the world is often the way we deal with things, and some of us don't really have much need for socialising.

Any specific questions you have about your traits or your diagnosis, just fire away.

Hi and welcome. I wasn't diagnosed till my 40's till after my son was diagnosed at school. And the dx hasn't stopped me for a second as I do recognise my limitations and compensate for them.  Like crowds, too many different noises, meltdowns and such.

Thank you It's just a different life now. My balance sucks. I have to keep re winding the tv. I hate clutter and I have a strong fetish for shaving everywhere.

Welcome...I was DX`ed at 55

The clutter I can understand. My deceased wife was a bowerbird and collected everything. Out it goes and should make my house much more liveable as well and easy to pack up if ever I decide to sell and move. (not the house, just the belongings.!)

Hi, cooldog, welcome aboard!  I was dx'd at 43.  

I'm a bowerbird, I can't throw anything out.  Once every couple of years my NT husband goes through everything, cupboards, everywhere, and does a big clean out and toss, otherwise, we'd be up to our ears in clutter.  I only draw the line at my books, he doesn't touch those.  I keep the place clean, but clutter is another matter!  

Alison

Damn I just joined. Thanks everyone. The people (inlaws) are total slobs.

Welcome to AFF!!!!!!!!

Ok dumb question time. What does all these different abbreviated words mean? I guess I need to learn the lingo. Thanks.

diagnosed (dx'd)

Welcome from a 44 yr old - didn't figure it out until after oldest nephew diagnosed a few years ago. Plenty of us in the same boat. I also shut myself away in my room, where I live alone.

I am 46, first diagnosed in 2004 but not with a full report. I only got a full report from the Spectrum Specialist Consultancy about a month ago.

My wife is bi-polar. We are not the same. I do not have mood swings and am pretty much the same all the time. I do not take any medication, she does, to control hers. I work most of the time but sometimes find it hard to find jobs or keep them, albeit that in the current climate I have always found jobs within 4 months of trying. I am outward and go out to socialise, both with other aspies and with NTs.

I am 47, and just worked out in the last couple of years that I have Aspergers/Autism. I am not yet formally diagnosed, it must be a great relief to finally know for certain. Congratulations! I say that because I feel that being Autistic can be incredibly difficult, but ultimately it is a gift. We are unique people in a sea of sameness. You know, a lot of people with AS (Aspergers), ARE bipolar also. I too, prefer to stay in my room! I work full time, and I wish I didn't have to, but I am strangely attached to eating and having a roof over my head. I get more than enough social interaction at work, so it is very important to me to have a place where I feel safe and comfortable, that is my room. Welcome to Aspies for Freedom. It is a truly excellent site, and I hope it will really help you to know that other people are going through, or have gone through the same thing as you.