Tom Cutler was diagnosed late, like me. And unlike most medical diagnoses, it was good news, it solved the why. A couple of excerpts from his excellent article, all of which I relate to:
During one pub lunch, after I’d wolfed down a sandwich while they laughed and chatted over their roast beef one of them asked me sharply, “Why do you never savour a meal?” My aloof social disposition was damaging friendships. People have told me that when I think I am smiling, I’m actually frowning. I was astonished recently when somebody showed me photographs of myself at a wedding. Everyone around me was smiling beautifully. I looked positively unpleasant.
…when I was studying art at university, bohemian parties were frequent. I would force myself to go but usually ended up alone, looking through bookshelves or staring into my glass. I always seemed to say the wrong thing and people found me brusque, abrupt, or stupefyingly rude.
…Among my other special interests are vehicle numberplate typography, the shapes disguised as letters used on eye-test charts, and above all British road sign design.