Is it possible I have Aspergers syndrome?

I am 25, female.  Always been clumsy e.g falling downstairs and banging into things, speak whats on my mind, frequently  don't think about what i say and offend people.  Don't know how best to communciate and say things back to front.  i can lie but often choose not to even if I say something bad about someones shoes etc.  Don't like being in big crowds become quiet then- ofetn feel like an outsider, don't like talking to people at work. feel more comfortable speaking online rather than face to face.  I am creative and can be extrovert so that doesn't fit.  Often get depressed and people think i'm 'weird and different'  Don't like talking about myself to people and I get upset if I try to.

Reason why i'm asking is my manger is complaining i don't say hello or goodbye or get involved in gossip discussions at work and i try but i just can't do it most of the time- I just feel odd saying Bye etc.

Can anyone help.

[jumblybo]

Also I have trichotillomania

[jenkins848]

potentially general anxiety, or social anxiety. Personally when i read about aspergers, i immediately connected and it was like, holy mother of all that is good and...why didn't i find this out sooner god DAM IT!! So i think if its not affecting your life and you haven't a past memory to access that substanciates your enquiry, then not to worry! But don't let me deter you if your one of those that needs permission to research things. The answers lie in your past.

I feel i survived primary school, "Jenkins is organising the other children in a domineering fashion...Jenkins has to learn that to have a friend she has to be a friend...two years on...jenkins is finally socialising with some of her own year group...she is learning that to have a friend you have to be a friend...well done Jenkins." MORONS!! I recall memorising jokes by heart, i had a morning comedy routine as to 'get the girls on side,' they stuck up for me when the boys called me a lesbian for not talking to them and getting embarrassed all the time, for my tics, habits and determination towards work as i got older. I think you really would know. Truly. The knowledge of this 'disorder' has save my life just now, i was at a loss. My parents demeaned me for not intergrating, for acting 'superiorly.' My bulimic tendencies occur when i feel i have knowledge gaps and i just can't find the answers i sorely require to make things right. Again i reiterate, look to your past. If there is nothing there, then let it be. Plus it is not all negetives they should use to diagnose. I am an avid pianist, though i do not read music, when i learnt recorder as a child i simply worked out the notes in private and memorised. I memorised everything on the boards before class as not to be caught out if the teacher asked me a question, which felt awful and sometimes the imformation wouldn't pass my lips. What are your interests? To pass exams for instance i memorised 250 sport pshychology 'flick cards.' I have a passsion for literature and write avidly to work out my greivances with life. I know many, many poems by heart and will happily speak with you about milton, Attwood (the only candian author of note ;p) or LArkin. I mean to say there are a plethora of considerations, and i feel that having a problem saying goodbye, does not suffice to say Aspergers, perhaps, as aformentioned, social anxiety and i hope, whatever the matter at hand, you gain correct diagnosis and recieve sound advice. The answers however ultimately lie withinyou. You can find a way. Take care.

[jenkins848]

ps if i offend you and am not at all helpful do let me know as i am trying very hard at the moment to correct where abouts things seem to go awry and meaning/connection is lost. Again, take care, stay well, work hard on your issues!

[jenkins848]

Oh and i pull my hair too much when stressed, i'm sorry to hear you suffer with this, it's painfully distressing. Though i doubt taking supplements to promote regrowth is going to be top of the list of things needed in order to regain some sort of balance, in the second rate pshychologists words "Where would we start." The health care system amuses me. Hopefully going to a private appointment soon! But can't afford too many. Are you seeing a private or NHS specialist?

[888mom]

don't bother with gossip discussions at work.  Gossip is never a good thing.  I always avoid gossip whenever possible.  

Can't comment on whether or not you have aspergers, but you could see a shrink/counselor about your concerns.  Or if that isn't covered on your health insurance, you could just ask your regular doctor.  Anxiety can be alleviated with antidepressants or other medications (I am on an antidepressant for some of my sensory oversensitivities and some anxiety issues, and it has helped some).  Not sure why you would have to say hi and bye at work, unless you were like a receptionist or something like that.  Or a secretary.  When I used to work, I don't think I ever said hi or bye, though one boss i used to pop my head in the door and just say "I'm here."  Oh, and be proud of who you are.  No one is normal.  Everyone has differences, and being different is what makes us intersting and unique.  Took me a long time to learn that.  I've always been different, but I've found people who are different in similar ways, that I'm normal when I hang out with them.  I'm sort of a sci-fi geek, and into board gaming.  So is my husband.  Anyways, finding other people with similar interests will help out, too, probably.  And don't let the people at work get you too upset.  I used to pull my hair out when I first starting working out of college.  Almost got fired from a couple jobs, but eventually found my niche.  

[jenkins848]

sorry i used personal example. I'm still 'greiving,' relaying negetive experience dealt with in some sort of nostalgic tornado, i truly appologise and hope you find the answers you require. I will stop getting carried away now x

[MJIthewriter]

I don't know if you have aspergers, but I can relate.  Gossip usually just bores me... I much rather be plotting a story scene in my head or drawing something than to listen to mindless ****...

Sometimes I get involved in conversations, but it has to be something to perk my interest.  I tend to read a variety of things on the net, so I can talk about various topics. But curent celeb info and who's hot, whose dating who, latest fashen trends, etc... just don't turn my crank... So what if someone gained or lost weight. Good for them... If they got married, whopie-doo...  Hopefully it will last or we'll hear about the jucy dirty divorice to come... *sigh*

BTW what kind of job do you work? Is it something involving lots of people and interaction?

I prefer to avoid jobs like those.  I can be kind and courtious and usually am, but to expect me to do 8 hours of that may be a bit much...  I find saying hi and bye to strangers doesn't go well.  Though a brief wave of the hand seems to work pretty well. People like being waved at for some reason. O_o. I prefer that to talking. It's much easier and quicker to raise a hand than to open my mouth.  But then again I'm not expected to greet people.  I did do that as a high school NHS activity for the graduating class. (I was a junior). I greeted parents and seemed to do pretty well.  It helps if I know what is expected of me then I can give the appropriate behavior.

I don't like people who leave me guessing...and then potentially get crabby if they didn't get what they expected.  My work supervisor is sort of like that...  As a result I default to tasks I know are "safe".

[littlestbunny]

i have a friend that i think has asperger's and she has that trichotillomania.

i think that trichotillomania is a form of stimming.. personally.
everything2.com has a good definition of stimming.

go be tested for asperger's.  or, go on the gluten-free, casein-free [be wary of soy, because i believe it to be a trigger food or basically as bad as gluten] diet to help you with your trichotillomania.  it would certainly be worth trying.

if you find you have trouble living life outside your head... it's because your body has trouble digesting the protein found in wheat, rye, and barley (gluten).  I know that for most of my life, i've lived in my head in my daydreams.. it's harder to even WANT to do that when I'm able to digest all of the food that I consume.