Thanks. Autism is the best fit I can find to date. I have not seen any doctor for approx. ten years. Last time I went to a doctor it was a psychiatrist that gave me an ADHD diagnosis, but I am not great at following up on things.

It was suggested to me a few years since then, also a few years ago (by a layperson) that I should look into Autism. I dismissed it at the time, because all I knew about autism was what I had found out through mass media which is nothing like what you find out through people’s experiences, or books etc.

Long story short, the more I look into it the more it feels like the correct fit. But the more it feels like the correct fit, the more weight the expert opinion seems to have. And, an answer of “get out of here you lazy git” would be a bit crushing at this point, precisely because the symptoms seem to fit and explain my life so well.

I take what you are saying though about expert opinions sometimes being less than infallible.

I am going to the appointment tomorrow though, no matter what. Will report back!

Thanks again.

You are absolutely right. Whatever the outcome, I will have learned something. Probably about me, or possibly about the doc. I can always go for a second opinion if needed. I hope it is not necessary, because I don’t have the energy frankly! Thank you though. I am hopeful I am right, it would explain a great deal of things. We’ll see what happens.

Thank you. This is my hope. I had previously decided (loosely) that I didn’t need a diagnosis, and that I would just muddle through. Can’t remember now exactly what triggered it, but a few weeks ago I decided this is worth pursuing. I have done a few questionnaires and it all points the same way. Soon, I can stop wondering!

Thanks. In some ways, with or without the diagnosis, I already have a lot of things explained (and relatable stories, hints, tips, systems - whatever I can glean from other people’s experiences). I guess I would like a pro to agree, to reduce the imposter syndrome a bit. And help me feel like I am home, at last! 🤞

Related - are there any active lifting communities on Lemmy? I think I signed up to a couple a while back but haven’t seen a single post. Looking at these comments, it looks like we have a number of people interested in the topic.

All good points. 👍

Nonprofits are allowed to make a profit. They just have to roll it back into the operation. (Can’t hand it out to shareholders, board members, etc.)

How the *world works

I have a bit of a split response to this. On one hand, I have a workshop which is absolutely packed with tools, machines, materials and so on. I can make and repair almost anything in there. Many people would look in the workshop and assume I am a hoarder.

But as far as my living space, I love a clean, uncluttered place. I will get rid of kitchen gadgets, books, disks, furniture, clothes, etc if it is not adding something useful or beautiful to my life. I have half a dozen matching t-shirts same for underwear and socks. I will regularly go through out kitchen cupboards and take things we can’t/don’t use to other people or food bank etc. I am a frequent visitor of the “tip shop” near where I live and things get repurposed and rehomed there. I love a clean streamlined life, I would be more streamlined if the people I live with were more into that mindset 😁

I am here very much as a lurker for now. I am working my way through “the book” (and am also about halfway through rustlings). But I would love to see this community thrive and succeed. I will try harder to engage on posts that are relevant to me, and make new posts if/when I can.