Could I have Asperger's syndrome?

Question

I know that Y!A isn't the place to get diagnosed with a mental disorder, but since I can't afford a shrink at the moment, I'll make do with what I've got. I have been formally diagnosed with ADHD, but when I read about Asperger's syndrome, some of the symptoms sound eerily familiar. Like many with ADHD and Asperger's syndrome, I have poor social skills, I am not physically well-coordinated (I have a distinctive gait and I can't even ride a bike!), I sometimes speak in an inappropriate tone (too loud), and I have had difficulties in math. However, I feel that some of the descriptions of Asperger's don't necessarily apply to me. For example, it's said that aspies often fail to read facial expressions and often fail to appreciate sarcasm or irony. This definitely doesn't apply to me! I don't really know if it could be said that I have language peculiarities. I sometimes speak excessively formally, but I actually make it a point to do so, so that I won't come across as uneducated.

I also have some strange habits (I rub my eyebrows when I'm nervous.), but my mother suspects this is caused by OCD, though I haven't been formally diagnosed with that. What do you think?

I think I also have restricted affect, but I think this may be caused by clinical depression, of which I have been diagnosed. I've read that aspies often have trouble identifying their own feelings, but I think that I actually have a very high level of self-knowledge and understanding of my own emotions.

Answer 1

Check this quiz out.

http://www.rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php

From what I understand from my local Aspie group, Asperger's is often self-diagnosed. Furthermore, ADD/ADHD is often comorbid with Asperger's (meaning both conditions often occur together). Aspies also tend to be depressive; I was told a number of years ago that I am probably dysthymic (low-level depression--sort of a low resistance to low moods).

I, too, tend to be klutzy and cannot ride a bike and never learned to drive. I'm easily distracted, tend to speak too loudly or too softly and sometimes tactlessly. I do sometimes have trouble reading facial expressions, but I can sometimes tell sarcasm. And math was one of my better subjects in school.

I also have extreme tactile sensitivity. I cannot stand to have long hair. I cannot stand certain fabrics. I wear certain styles because they are comfortable. However, I was able to endure the pain of getting my ears pierced four times each and a tragus piercing, and I was able to endure four tattoos, so who knows.

Asperger's is more of a neurological disorder than a mental or psychological disorder. You don't have to have all the symptoms to have the condition.

Answer 2

I have Asperger's syndrome. A lot of the things you said are like me. What you read was just about the average person with Asperger's. You can have Asperger's without all the symptoms especially if you're a girl or an adult. I expect that you are younger than me. The gait changes you know. As for diagnosis, unless you are in school and having trouble or having trouble at work, you don't need one. Diagnosis can be obtained by a simple test given by a psychologist. You would take the same one as I did if you are over 16. It is the WAIS-R. When you compare your performance IQ with your verbal IQ, one should be less than 15 points above the other unless you have Asperger's. I would guess your verbal is more than 15 points higher than your performance from what you said about math and coordination.

Answer 3

"However, I feel that some of the descriptions of Asperger's don't necessarily apply to me."

I don't have my DSM handy but that right there says to me that you don't have Aspergers. In order to be diagnosed with Aspergers you need to be cleared of any possibility that you have any type of schizophrenia or pervasive developmental disorder. Since you don't come across as being someone that has suffered from any developmental problems (i.e. you can compose a question on Yahoo! answers) makes me think that you haven't had any real problems picking up language. As far as some of your other traits like talking too loud or having difficulties in math (hey who hasn't had trouble in math?) really don't sound severe enough to qualify as anything that would lead to a diagnosis of Aspergers.

Of course I'm not a licensed psychologist and this isn't a detailed case history, but I really doubt that you have Aspergers.

Answer 4

Appreciating irony and sarcasm doesn't necessarily mean you don't have asperger's. I am an auspie and I love sarcasm and the like. People with ausperger's sometimes have an exceptional ability at making double entendres (like myself) because we think differently than most.
You don't have to meet every criteria to be diagnosed. I for example due have an odd gait when I walk and run, but I'm certainly not uncoordinated. I play golf and basketball reasonably well.
In my opinion of Asperger's, the main markers to look for are difficulties making meaningful friends, inability to know people's meanings when they speak, and sensory hypersensitivity, e.g. actually looking at people in the eyes, or contacting another person's skin are incredibly smothering and can't be tolerated.

Answer 5

You mentioned that you believe you understand your own feelings quite well -- how well do you understand other people's feelings? That is, are you usually able to correctly interpret the feelings behind other people's words and actions, and can you feel empathy and imagine what you would feel like in another person's situation? These are often quite difficult for people with autism/Asperger's. Not saying these are the only symptoms - but autism symptoms seems to be more about an inability to relate with others than an inability to understand oneself.

Answer 6

There is no magical cure for Aspergers. Ask yourself why you would want to have another label. My granddaughter has Aspergers syndrome, so I am familiar with it.
It sounds like you have identified a number of personality traits that you would like to change. I believe that you should work on changing those traits that you don't want. Putting a label on them gives you a false excuse. Take control of those things that you can. Work on the others and forgive yourself for what you have no control over. I know how much harder you have to work than the "normal" kids. Don't let that stop you.
Gramma2

Answer 7

you dont come across as aspergers. OCD, ADHD, hey these are only names made up by those wanting to justify their professional status to "put you in a box" (see now if you were aspergers you would have thought i meant literally) You sound nice, we are all different just cos you tsalk loud sometimes doesnt need to be a syndrome

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

Do you purr?