A few years back I was told by a psychologist that I have Asperger's, which is essentially high functioning Autism. My younger sister thinks that's bunk, but as she doesn't have to live with it, she can't really know. When I was told that I have it, and what goes along with it it was the very first thing in my entire life that made sense to me.
Here are some symptoms of Aspergers and all are something I have always had.
Social awkwardness (I regularly stick my foot in my mouth.)
Complete focus on one subject (my mind just goes over the same thing over and over again, its very annoying. I also repeat myself a lot.)
Lack of eye contact (when I was modeling in high school I had to be trained to look people in the eye...since I am no longer modeling I've reverted back to not looking most the time.)
Sensitivity to noise (I am over sensitive to certain sounds, when I was younger this was a huge problem and would lead to fits of anger.)
Sensitivity to clothing (I can't stand things touching my neck for very long. It takes a lot of willpower.)
Anger/aggression (this isn't the problem it used to be, but I do still have a strong temper.)
Craves Routine (I have to know what is going on, I don't like to fly by the seat of my pants very often.)
Appears lost in own world (Those of you who know me well know how true this is. I often drift off to somewhere else.)
Repetitive Motion (If you grew up with me you know how very true this one is. I was called Dizzy Lizzie and Dizzy Lizzie the Retard among other things, my entire childhood.)
I also have suffered from various forms of depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder and ADHD. Since marrying Chris most of that is gone (at least it appears to be), only the Aspergers and ADHD remain. The ADHD also contributes to the repetitive thoughts going round and round in my head.
So if I offend you in some way, stick my foot in my mouth I am sorry. I do think before I speak on most occasions, but I still say what I was going to say in the first place...because it makes sense to me I guess.
My mom told me recently that she read that they are now having meetings for people with Aspergers, but not many people show up because most of us are "still in the closet". Well, I'm not ashamed, this is how God made me. You probably know more of us and are as yet unaware.
Claire Danes just won a golden globe for portraying one of us in a HBO movie, based on a true story.
There are others in my close circle that have it that I know of, however, I am the most extreme case. I will not mention who they are, just in case they would rather stay in the closet for now. :)
Hope this sheds some light on the Mystery that is Liz. :)
