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July 3rd 2026 02:17 PM

Proud90sKid

Re: Autism diagnosis at 32 - and PICA

I was formally diagnosed with Aspergers (back when that was a thing) when I was 19. It honestly hurt me emotionally and made me feel "othered", but this was at a time that autism spectrum was more stigmatized and equated to having intellectual disability but with extra features. I didnt feel comfortable talking about it. I still dont exactly...at least not to everyone, but there is more acceptance. I have some in-real-life friends that I feel comfortable talking about it with, but only if they bring it up first. I know of other people that simply lack the understanding of the condition and believe stereotypes...those people I dont talk to about it. Pica can be serious depending on what you are eating that isnt food. I dont have experience with that. What are you eating? It occurs in autism often as a sensory issue. It also appears in people who are iron deficient...which can come from ARFID(avoidant restrictive food intake disorder...essentially clinically significant picky eating that occurs in many autistics). Now, just as it can deliver iron to the body as a last resort, it can also deliver heavy metals. So be careful.

For any other Americans reading this thread: EUPD is the European term for what we call BPD.

For what it's worth: I had a roommate in 2014 that I immediately recognized as autistic. He somehow wasnt diagnosed until 2023 despite "symptoms"(in quotes because I dont think of all cases of autism as having a disorder) that I thought were very obvious. He started a comedy thing in Las Vegas.... he wasnt that good at first...his jokes got better...through trial and error as he had the confidence to not give a shit about making "error" in front of a crowd... he is living a very good life now in one of the most booming cities in the country.

Anyways, autism is a particular neurological difference. It tends to manifest in everything we do (don't be ashamed...but it is true). Ive received comments from friends about small things that I dont even notice, like sitting on my knees in a chair (apparantly that is atypical?). It causes problems understanding non-verbal social cues and can affect your desire to actively socialize (ie. many autistics like to be around people but without much active interaction (in children this is called parallel play)). It can also make you super interested in particular topics that change at different stages of your life. Just because you are autistic does not mean that "thats what it all was all along" though, because dual diagnosis and substance abuse is very common on the spectrum.

BTW: your username seems very familiar to me. Im not sure when we last interacted here or what about...or even if it was amicable or not...but I know it has been a minute....welcome back!

Edit: nevermind, you are palmolive. I totally remember you

June 22nd 2026 08:04 PM

theantihero

Re: Autism diagnosis at 32 - and PICA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dude111

Im so sorry buddy

Sorry about what, exactly? Hold up a mirror, look into it, and repeat the word you're thinking Autistics are.

June 22nd 2026 03:42 AM

Dude111

Im so sorry buddy

June 21st 2026 03:25 PM

Face Up.

Re: Autism diagnosis at 32 - and PICA

I haven't been officially diagnosed but I've had friends suspect I have autism. I've learned a lot from different Facebook groups. Of course, it's still a good idea to research what they claim in these groups to confirm it's accuracy. Some of them are more about sharing your experience than learning a lot, but sometimes even these experiences can help you know you're not alone.

There's this girl on Facebook who has PICA and her parents buy her all these alternatives that she can use when she has a craving. I don't know any of the alternatives off the top of my head but maybe you and your team can come up with some?

June 21st 2026 10:15 AM

jessielou

Autism diagnosis at 32 - and PICA

Hey.

I was (a few years ago) diagnosed with EUPD but it was removed during a psychiatric hospital admission so haven’t had that diagnosis for a few years. Last week I was diagnosed with Autism and wonder whether it was an mis diagnosis all along. Anyway I’m 32 and wonder how if you were diagnosed as an adult you managed it and learnt best about Autism? I’ve been referred to an understanding Autsim group but it’s a two year wait list. I know a little bit about it and learning bits through friends. Also how did you feel being diagnosed at a later age?

I also wondered if anyone had experience with both Autism and PICA? They think I might have it too and that the PICA could be connected to the Autsim but I don’t really know anyone else with it and it just makes me feel weird and not normal. I do worry that by talking about it I will be heavily judged too.

Hope that makes sense.
Thanks!

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