I think I may have Asperger Syndrome. What do I do?

Question by Jim G: I think I may have Asperger Syndrome. What do I do?
Every time I read about Asperger Syndrome, I can’t help but note that I have most of the symptoms. I think I may have it, but even if I don’t I come awfully close. I’ve always had serious problems with social interactions; I’m also shy and awkward. I am currently almost totally friendless. I don’t look people in the eye when I talk with them. I am nearly incapable of making lasting friendships and I am similarly nearly incapable of being in a romantic relationship. I am 30 and a virgin. I had one “almost” girlfriend several years ago but I broke it off before it could become sexual and I didn’t want it to become sexual. I have a sex drive which is often quite strong, but hardly any women interest me(I’m a heterosexual), or they are very often not interested in me. I do date, but very very rarely. I’ve been told many times that I look “handsome” or “cute” and at least a few times a “hunk”. Many women claim they are shocked that I’m a virgin, until they get to know me better. Besides these “issues” of mine, I am healthy, have no medical issues and I’m pretty much “normal” in most ways.

While I may have trouble understanding non-verbal communication or understanding others, I do have empathy and compassion for others(lack of empathy for others is said to be a symptom of Asperger Syndrome); I hate the idea of hurting other people or animals(which is why I’m a vegetarian). Since I am such a private person, I also respect other people’s privacy. I usually hate it when people touch me, I feel like I am being violated, even if they are just trying to be nice. People who come too close to me also make me feel very uncomfortable too(unless I really like them). It is so much easier for me to communicate with them if they are several feet away.

I am obsessed with looking at maps and health(hygiene especially) and science among other things. I did very well in science back in my school days, but terribly in math(I didn’t complete college and hated the experience). I lost my job and have trouble finding another one; my extreme lack of social skills makes it much harder to find employment. I obviously prefer work that doesn’t require a whole lot of human interaction. I am extremely introverted. Most people I know think of me as very intelligent, and get surprised with my lack of success at school, or with employment, as if they expect a lot more from me. My family is very disappointed in me and they insist I am perfectly “normal” and “very very intelligent”, but so incredibly “weird”.

When it comes to humor, I don’t fit the Asperger Syndrome stereotype since I understand jokes and often make my own(though they are often not funny and few people understand them). I don’t have any crazy routines. I sometimes become depressed over my issues, but the depression doesn’t last for long. I had a normal middle class American childhood, my mother didn’t desert me, and I wasn’t abused.

I’ve never been to a psychiatrist or psychologist. I have this fear they may put me on drugs or they will force me into a mental hospital. I want to stop disappointing myself and others. I want to overcome these issues, and do good in this world. For all the “problems” I may have I am also blessed in many ways. But still, I need help.
I feel I must add that I was never in special education, although in grammar school I was put into the “slower” classes until the 5th and 6th grades. I attended a prestigious private high school but I got expelled for poor grades.

Best answer:

Answer by tweetybird37406
they aren’t going to lock you up in a mental institution, HOWEVER…I feel that you would greatly benefit from talking to a psychiatrist or psychologist. and even if they put you on some kind of medication, I think the results would out weigh what you’re going through….you obviously aren’t happy, and the symptoms you’ve mentioned aren’t normal…you need some help and there is nothing wrong with that…everyone needs help sometimes. and i think that if you didn’t want to change then you wouldn’t get on yahoo answers and talk about it, so do yourself a favor and get in touch with your doctor and have them refer you to someone that can help you.

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