Reply With QuoteSelf-diagnosed Asperger's is practically an internet cliche at this point. See a professional if you're really concerned about it (and want anyone else to take it seriously).
Crossposted from the wrongplanet.net forum, which is a site about Asperger's Syndrome:
So, I've been aware of Asperger's for a few years now, but I didn't know that much about it until today, when I stumbled upon the Wikipedia entry on it. After a little bit of reading, it started sounding all too familiar, so I began to delve deeper. As it turns out, I evince nearly every symptom of the condition that I've come across, big and small, and I meet both sets of criteria that I've found (DSM IV and... another one that I can't find again). In fact, I meet more of the requirements given by the DSM IV checklists than necessary, and as far as I can tell, the only one I can't judge on my own is the one about not having any other PDD's or schizophrenia. Barring those, which I don't think I have any symptoms of, it seems pretty clear that I have Asperger's. What sealed the deal for me, though, was this quote from a random news headline from the WP.net main page:
I read that, and my eyes just shot open, and I thought "Man! I do that!" Prior to reading that, I was pretty much convinced, as I seem to meet the clinical criteria and exhibit the documented symptoms. But that just hit so close to home that it instantly became much more real for me.Marc explains: "This is a very important point and can often be overlooked. If I put an object on the edge of the table, so it may or may not fall off, an autistic person looks at this object, and sees that it might fall on the floor and make a loud clatter. Many autistic people are susceptible to loud sounds. So they will look at this object, and it will be illuminated in their mind."
He compares this to a person knowing a loved one was far away hanging off a cliff, and that they had to make it there to save them. When the autistic person makes it to the precarious object, he says: "The incredible relief and the happiness, has exactly the same intensity of feeling as (rescuing a loved one from falling off a cliff)"
So, is this really the checklist for diagnosis? If so, is my self-diagnosis reliable? Most of what I can find on the internet regarding professional diagnosis seems to deal with children, and this never came up until now (I am about to turn 24). So can I trust myself and what I've read? How confident should I be that I have this syndrome in the absence of professional diagnosis? Is a formal diagnosis even worth seeking out? Am I just a moron? Have I ruined my Qt3 rep by even making this thread?
Self-diagnosed Asperger's is practically an internet cliche at this point. See a professional if you're really concerned about it (and want anyone else to take it seriously).
oic. Well then the other question I have is: how? I don't see a psychologist normally, so... what? I just call one up and say "I think I have Asperger's, test me for it?"Originally Posted by Fugitive
Edit: also I'm not a fourteen year old goth girl looking for something to whine about on my myspace, which you can check out if you want at www.myspace.com/xXxBrokenxTearsxXx.
Last edited by extarbags; 09-05-2006 at 09:00 AM.
Computer geek on Internet message board discovers he's on the autistic side of the spectrum! Film at eleven!
Yeah, I think many people here are aware that we have more than a few symptoms on those checklists. Don't worry, it's merely a particular type of personality... or are you having actual problems?
Well, here's the diagnostic checklist. I'll bold the ones that are definitely me:
As far as actual problems go, I become extremly anxious when placed in any social situation. I very rarely meet a person that I can effectively communicate with, and I constantly say things in conversation that I'm later told (usually by my girlfriend) were rude or mean.* A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
(1) marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
(2) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
(3) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people
(4) lack of social or emotional reciprocity
* B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
(1) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
(2) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
(3) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms
(4) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
* C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning
* D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)
* E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood
* F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia.
That said, it's not so much that I'm concerned as I am relieved. It really seems like I fit the bill for this, and if it's true, that means I actually can understand why I am the way I am. Which is oddly comforting. But not if I can't really rely on my own assessment of my symptoms.
Edit: Oh, with regards to F above, that's not to say that I'm schizophrenic, just that I haven't been diagnosed as not having schizophrenia or another PDD. But from what I know of them, it seems less likely.
Pretty much, yep. If you're not sure who to call, ring up your local hospital's behavioral health department and ask 'em for a recommendation.
How does that work with health insurance and whatnot?
All depends on your plan. They'll sometimes cover a short stint with a therapist/psychiatrist type guy, sometimes not. If you're not sure what's covered under your plan, again, call up the insurance company and ask.
If you don't have coverage, well, then you get to pay out of your own pocket. No idea how much is involved in an Asperger's diagnosis, or what sort of followup you'd want if the shrink said "yep, that's you!".
I don't have a lot of xp with this, so bear that in mind. However, the people I have encountered with this condition are NOTICEABLY different. They freak out over the littlest things. One flipped because someone asked him if he had any whiteout and he didn't. Another couldn't keep from talking during a lecture.
There may well be degrees of this disease. Again, I don't know. But the cases I've seen would have been hard NOT to diagnose.
Well, there is no pill against Asperger's. The syndrome appears to be caused by a specific brain structure -- an underdeveloped cerebellum (sensor/motor control center of the brain) has been suggested as the reason. That fits with the observation that physical exercise appears to improve the symptoms.
If you wish to improve your sociability you could try behavior therapy -- basically learning those things about social interactions that you don't know instinctively and haven't learned in childhood. Since your girlfriend is aware of your situtation you could just ask her for tips, or tell her to give you a poke if you misbehave.
The literature about autism and Asperger's has exploded in the last 10-20 years. If you want to read more about these syndromes try these books:
Temple Grandin, Thinking in Pictures -- a highly functional autist describes how she came to terms with her condition. Much farther along the spectrum than us typical geeks but all the more fascinating because of it.
The case of Grandin was first described in Oliver Sacks, An Anthropologist on Mars. That book and The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat contain lots of case studies on a variety of mental disorders, including autism. Not terribly relevant to your situation but the insights on the functioning of the human mind that these studies reveal are quite stunning.
Specifically for mild disorders such as Asperger's, you should check out Shadow Syndromes by John Ratey and Catherine Johnson. Another collection of case studies that also describes the probable biological reasons and possible therapies.
Another way to look at it: regardless of whether you've got Asperger's proper or "just" a greater kernel priority than average of the standard geek social awkwardness services--how much is it troubling your life? The answer to that should inform just how deep you go into the therapy/counseling route.
I would advice against having yourself diagnosed with a mental condition or disease. When I seize power during "The Sundering," I am going to take the brains of all crazies and try to make a reverse Supreme Intelligence, so that I can figure out what the answers to life's questions aren't. This would mean a total annhilation of the self and physical body, and possibly severe trauma as I throw all the brains away when my plan doesn't work and I then focus on not getting caught for stuff I did while in the Office of the Floral Commandant.
For those who do not know "Asperger's Syndrome" by its medical name, I would say that you probably know it by its more common parlance, "being an asshole."
I don't know about ruining your rep, but you've definitely committed the error of asking the other inmates in the asylum if you're insane.
I diagnose that as a worry chain!
http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com...#39;s_syndrome
Encylopedia Dramatica is NSFW
Last edited by playingwithknives; 09-06-2006 at 01:07 AM.
Creexul on caltrops says he was diagnosed with it. Are you like Creexul?
Why does my work's filter block playingwithknives' link as "sex"?
So, responses ranging from "you're retarded, self-diagnosis of AS is a joke" all the way to "you're retarded, professional diagnosis of AS is a joke." Frown.
You act like you want to have it.
I've spent my whole life thinking I had scores of unrelated defects wired into my brain, my body, and my personality. As such, the thought of all of them, as well as a few of my good points, being explained by a single, documented condition does actually sound pretty good, yeah.
Edit: also, and maybe this will make more sense, AS would explain some things I like about myself. So like, if my social difficulties and my facial tics and my weird compulsive behaviors are a tradeoff for my super-awesome writing ability and my affinity for memorizing the names of countries/Arrested D. trivia, I don't mind as much.
If the diagnosis becomes an excuse for bad behavior, then it's probably false. If it helps you to understand yourself better, then there's a possibility it's true.
Right after my coffee this morning I showed very clear symptoms of ass-burger syndrome.
Somewhere between 0.6 and 1.6% of the population of the US has some form of autism, and Asperger's is the most common type. So if you meet most of the criteria, there's at least an outside chance that you've got it. Go get diagnosed by someone professional.
HA HA JUST KIDDING. You're infected with Body Thetans. Go get audited at the nearest Scientology center immediately.
extarbags, the short answer is, go meet at least one licensed mental health professional (with an M.D.), tell him or her what you've told us, and get his/her feedback. I'd plan on getting a second opinion as well.
It sounds to me like you have good reason to believe you suffer from this ailment, and a professional can do a proper diagnosis.
I was worried about my son and did some research about it, which led me to a similar conclusion of 'Shit, most of that checklist applies to me!'. Then I ended up coaching a child with Aspergers in my soccer team. Trust me, the genuine article is very, very different from what you seem to be. I think that many guys are somewhere on the spectrum, but not close enough to the end that requires treatment.
.....
LOL/sic...Doctor Hans Asperger possessed "advanced" intelligence skills and marked talent in specific areas, but was socially awkward and a poor communicator, often displaying OCD behavior; major symptoms included speaking Klingon and Esperanto.
Oh sh*t, i should have put that the entire site is about as NSFW as you can get. (Entries on goatse, lemon party etc)
Sorry!
That's most likely true, and that's also one reason (beyond morbid curiosity) why I'm recommending those books. They describe some real clinical cases that might allow extarbags to put his own behavioral issues into perspective.
My son is autistic, fairly severely, and his mother supposedly has Asperger's. I find myself on both sides of the aisle: it is a real disorder, with a real need for treatment *and* its a crutch or a shield for many who don't actually have it to use to feel special, different, and/or explain many aspects of their lives in which they have shortcomings.
While it is a "spectrum" disorder, many people lay claim to it as an answer to the issues in their life, as a "special needs" mantle, and as a "reason" for their troubles. Its easy to wash away sins which you are absolved from if you have a disorder to hide behind.
Chances are, if you haven't been diagnosed already, you either are mildly (*very mildly*) affected or just have the trouble most people who have when they self-diagnose over the internet: you're a f*cking loon.
I have to watch myself to not fall into that trap, as I am diabetic and have been conditioned to watch out for all kinds of things happening to me. Luckily, I have avoided most complications so far. Thanks to the Internet, though, we all have a chance to find east timorian vampire spiders living in our closets and get West African Toe Rotting disease.
In all seriousness, see a real medical doctor and/or call your insurance company, you can let you know how to access your mental health benefits in order to see someone who can really tell you what your condition is. Be prepared for either answer though; Asperger's or not, a diagnosis isn't a magical ticket to escape your personality issues. Good luck.
Just hope it doesn't give him inspiration to be even more psycho. I, uh, know people like that. They read I Never Promised You A Rose Garden and suddenly retreat into an alternate universe nobody else knew they had in them.
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