Information On Asperger's

[OnlySunshine]

http://www.help4aspergers.com/pb/wp_4a3112c8/wp_4a3112c8.html

 

I experience almost all of the personal/physical ones, but about 40-50% of the rest of them. (not all aspies are the same)

 

It's also not uncommon for  aspies/autistics  to have insomnia,  (body doesn't produce much melatonin),  and to not make much eye contact.  (I listen better if I don't make eye contact)

 

the whole relationships thing... I can't picture myself spending lots and lots of time around one person, let alone a marriage. so I don't see myself being married at all. and  that one.. activity people wait for marriage to do...  doesn't appeal to me at all... (some people think it's selfish to think this way, I disagree.)

 

I also love weighted things.. in grade school/high school I was in a lot of special needs classes, and they gave me this weighted vest that really calmed me down, and kind of "grounded me". I kind of wish I still had one lol. I did find a heavier blanket to use for sleep though :)

 

I have insomnia BIG time!  My former psychiatric ARNP told me to take 1 tablet of melatonin (started out with 1mg I believe) each night 30 minutes before I went to bed.  I only took it twice and it made me feel wonky (like physically ill or just "not right") so I stopped taking them.  I think they affected my BP, too, because it was unusually low (not like ER low but lower than normal).

 

As far as my therapy appt, my therapist does agree that I show signs of mild ASD (probably Aspergers) and she thinks that my dad might have it, too, because of what I described.  She suggested I talk to my psychiatrist again when I see him in April so I hope that something comes out of our visit.  Prayers would be appreciated!  It's not that I hope that I have ASD or anything, but it would be nice to understand why I think the way that I do and what can be done about it.  I used to think I had really sensitive ears (misophonia is something my mom suggested but I didn't know about it) but it's more than that.  I'm kind of introverted though less than previous because of my college life right now and the fact that I'm really trying to be active at Church.  The thing is that I need alone time at certain times of the day to be "recharged."

[Tony]

I have insomnia BIG time!  My former psychiatric ARNP told me to take 1 tablet of melatonin (started out with 1mg I believe) each night 30 minutes before I went to bed.  I only took it twice and it made me feel wonky (like physically ill or just "not right") so I stopped taking them.  I think they affected my BP, too, because it was unusually low (not like ER low but lower than normal).

 

As far as my therapy appt, my therapist does agree that I show signs of mild ASD (probably Aspergers) and she thinks that my dad might have it, too, because of what I described.  She suggested I talk to my psychiatrist again when I see him in April so I hope that something comes out of our visit.  Prayers would be appreciated!  It's not that I hope that I have ASD or anything, but it would be nice to understand why I think the way that I do and what can be done about it.  I used to think I had really sensitive ears (misophonia is something my mom suggested but I didn't know about it) but it's more than that.  I'm kind of introverted though less than previous because of my college life right now and the fact that I'm really trying to be active at Church.  The thing is that I need alone time at certain times of the day to be "recharged."

 

Melatonin usually works, but I take 3mg (maybe too much if you were taking 1 haha)

 

 

 

 

most aspies are introverts, that is for sure. they need a lot of that "recharging". I will definitely pray for you! When I found out, I wasn't upset at all, was more happy to know than anything.. it explained quite a bit!

[OnlySunshine]

Melatonin usually works, but I take 3mg (maybe too much if you were taking 1 haha)

 

 

 

 

most aspies are introverts, that is for sure. they need a lot of that "recharging". I will definitely pray for you! When I found out, I wasn't upset at all, was more happy to know than anything.. it explained quite a bit!

 

Melatonin has weird effects.  I prefer a cup of hot chamomile tea.  :)

 

I hope that I get an explanation to what I'm experiencing.  I'm glad you found relief.  :)

[maximillion]

I don't have insomnia, but I do need a certain number of hours in the day alone and when I don't get that I become irrational very quickly. I have weighed the house share option up and found that living alone is best for me.

 

When my foster son lived with me I used to pray he would leave to go out with his mates or go to college so I could have downtime.

[OnlySunshine]

I don't have insomnia, but I do need a certain number of hours in the day alone and when I don't get that I become irrational very quickly. I have weighed the house share option up and found that living alone is best for me.

 

When my foster son lived with me I used to pray he would leave to go out with his mates or go to college so I could have downtime.

 

I'm finding that I am wanting my own space more and more now that I'm older.  I'm in college and I really was planning to move into the dorms but I was a late admission and it was slim pickings.  Plus, I would have needed a student loan to pay for rent which I'm really trying to avoid as much as possible.  But there is a want to move on my own.  That may be some time yet because I'm a full-time student and haven't found a job that meets my flexible schedule needs since I go 4 days a week (Mon-Thurs).  I'm learning to deal with the help of my therapist, though, but she has encouraged me to keep looking.

[SilentJoy]

I also love weighted things.. in grade school/high school I was in a lot of special needs classes, and they gave me this weighted vest that really calmed me down, and kind of "grounded me". I kind of wish I still had one lol. I did find a heavier blanket to use for sleep though :)

 

I don't notice the need as much anymore, but I used to love having weights or heavy blankets on or against me at night. It lead to a tragically embarrassing episode, however...in anticipation of my 12th birthday, my parents let me have a sleepover, and several girls shared a full-sized bed for the night. When everything got dark and quiet it occurred to me that if I could put on something the same size as me (say, for example, the SilentJoy-sized person beside me), the weight would be evenly distributed and I would be able to rest a lot better...

 

She did NOT care for that suggestion...at all...she was a whooooole lot less naïve than I was. That was not an incident that I was able to live down.

 

:oops:  

[maximillion]

^^^^^^  :like3:  :rotfl2:

 

 

Ooops.

[AveMariaPurissima]

Interesting information...As with other conditions I've researched (depression and social anxiety disorder, for example), some of the traits/symptoms/criteria do fit me personally, and some don't.  I don't know what my problem is... :unsure:

[OnlySunshine]

Interesting information...As with other conditions I've researched (depression and social anxiety disorder, for example), some of the traits/symptoms/criteria do fit me personally, and some don't.  I don't know what my problem is... :unsure:

 

I've often thought there were symptoms I had that were irregular for the conditions I was diagnosed with.  For instance, people with ADD lose focus quickly.  I often can go for a long time before I lose interest because I become so passionate about the subject and then just get sick of it.  That's not common with ADD.  Also, I have read on numerous reputable websites that people with ASD have problems holding jobs because they are VERY loyal and have problems with people not following the rules.  That describes me 100% because I loved the nursing home I was at but decided to quit when a patient in my care nearly lost her life because the other CNA (who was newer than me) made a critical mistake with the wheelchair transfer.  I got in trouble but the other CNA didn't because she was injured.  There were other things that added up that helped me make my decision.  I don't regret leaving for one moment.  I have a problem with rigidity and inflexibility and don't react well to others "bending" the rules and getting away with it which the other CNAs did on a regular basis (especially the ones that had been there for a long time).

 

My appointment with the psychiatrist is next month and I'm hoping it goes well enough where he gives me some suggestions or offers some resources.  Please say some prayers!
 

[maximillion]

I think we can all fit the official criteria for various conditions, and even our most characteristic traits are not exactly the same or to the same degree as another person's. Sometimes I seem nothing BUT Aspie, on other days I could easily say it was a joke.

 

Everything is on a continuum and where you are on that line changes over time and even from day to day.

 

I too had doubts and until I went and had a proper assessment it felt some days like depression, some days like Bi-polar, and some days just like a freaking nightmare, interwoven with times when everything seemed fine. So confusing. 

[EmilyAnn]

Interesting information...As with other conditions I've researched (depression and social anxiety disorder, for example), some of the traits/symptoms/criteria do fit me personally, and some don't.  I don't know what my problem is... :unsure:

 

Researching mental disorders is extremely risky. Diagnostic tools are just that - tools. They should only be used by a professional. 

 

One of the first warnings you are given when studying mental disorders is that you will think you have at least one. I know I felt that way about like 3 different things. The thing is, any disorder is not a simple check that you have A, B and C. It's more like there's A, B, C, D, E, F and G and you can have any combination of about 3 of those plus there's an option H for 'other'. So it's no wonder that most people can find at least one disorder where they can identify with some of the symptoms. The key is severity and chronicity of the symptom(s), which is what differentiates a normal spectrum of behaviour from a disordered pattern, and this is another reason why only a professional should make any attempt at diagnosis. 

 

Advice that applies to everyone, and I really can't stress this enough: 

 

Never ever ever attempt to self diagnose. It is dangerous. If you think you have a problem, please see a professional.

[CatholicsAreKewl]

Researching mental disorders is extremely risky. Diagnostic tools are just that - tools. They should only be used by a professional. 

 

One of the first warnings you are given when studying mental disorders is that you will think you have at least one. I know I felt that way about like 3 different things. The thing is, any disorder is not a simple check that you have A, B and C. It's more like there's A, B, C, D, E, F and G and you can have any combination of about 3 of those plus there's an option H for 'other'. So it's no wonder that most people can find at least one disorder where they can identify with some of the symptoms. The key is severity and chronicity of the symptom(s), which is what differentiates a normal spectrum of behaviour from a disordered pattern, and this is another reason why only a professional should make any attempt at diagnosis. 

 

Advice that applies to everyone, and I really can't stress this enough: 

 

Never ever ever attempt to self diagnose. It is dangerous. If you think you have a problem, please see a professional.

 

Props EmilyAn. I might add, though this is not my flavor of psychology, that even trained clinicians goof up and misdiagnose people. It's much easier to make a mistake without the education, training, and experience.

[OnlySunshine]

Could we please not derail the thread?  I am seeking professional guidance, so this doesn't pertain to me.  If you want to talk about people self-diagnosing, can you please open another thread?  Thanks.

[blazeingstar]

Could we please not derail the thread?  I am seeking professional guidance, so this doesn't pertain to me.  If you want to talk about people self-diagnosing, can you please open another thread?  Thanks.

 

In your opening post it seem to be made clear that you were not only self-diagnosing yourself, you were also diagnosing your father.  Sorry MM, that does give others the right to be concerned.

 

If I was born in the mid 90's and had good healthcare rather than in the mid 80's and had not only poor healthcare but also in the midst of socitial pressures to perfection and what could be drilled out of a person, then I probably would of been diagnosed with aspergers or even mild autism, rather than severe ADHD and dyslexia and auditory processing issues as well as whispers of actual mental illness (like Opposinitial defiance) rather than simply being not neuro typical.

 

But I wasn't.  If I wanted to pursue a diagnoses I would find a therapist willing to work with me, because in working with therapists through adulthood in order to save my ability to have a job, it's been suggested.  

 

But the biggest piece of evidence came after a prolonged illness...that I don't absorb vitamins well...which actually is very common in non neuro-typical people.

 

You are mistaken to think that the ADD/ADHD dosn't come along with it's stresses.  Children with those disorders tend to learn to create a very black and white world and one full of rules as they are often given many rules to control their behaviors.  Most of the things you describe are not really non-neurotypical, but part of a personality group.  Ever hang out at a native american gathering?  You'd think that they hated eachother because they have very subtle forms of non-verbal communication but don't speak very much.  They are all neurotypical, that's their culture.  In eastern european countries when you say "how are you" people blurt out exactly how they are...tired, depressed, lonely, every excited.  THAT to an America, who expects "good" would seem very socially awkward and non-neurotypical.  There's just too many factors.

 

Most colleges have councelling for free, and most therepists know of state and government resources.  If this diagnosis and understanding your brian REALLY matters to you, you will do what it takes to figure it out.

 

Most of all remember this line.

 

"If you've seen one blue M&M you've seen ALL the blue M&M's.  But if you see one Autistic person, you've seen one Autistic person"

 

I have worked with Autistic/aspbergers kids and adults.  Quite a few break the mold by being big "talkers" who don't mind eye contact.  Some have found quite amazing ways of stimming.  

 

This isn't appendicitis, this isn't a sunburn.  This is complicated.  And you won't find professional help here, just people sharing their stories.

[OnlySunshine]

In your opening post it seem to be made clear that you were not only self-diagnosing yourself, you were also diagnosing your father.  Sorry MM, that does give others the right to be concerned.

 

If I was born in the mid 90's and had good healthcare rather than in the mid 80's and had not only poor healthcare but also in the midst of socitial pressures to perfection and what could be drilled out of a person, then I probably would of been diagnosed with aspergers or even mild autism, rather than severe ADHD and dyslexia and auditory processing issues as well as whispers of actual mental illness (like Opposinitial defiance) rather than simply being not neuro typical.

 

But I wasn't.  If I wanted to pursue a diagnoses I would find a therapist willing to work with me, because in working with therapists through adulthood in order to save my ability to have a job, it's been suggested.  

 

But the biggest piece of evidence came after a prolonged illness...that I don't absorb vitamins well...which actually is very common in non neuro-typical people.

 

You are mistaken to think that the ADD/ADHD dosn't come along with it's stresses.  Children with those disorders tend to learn to create a very black and white world and one full of rules as they are often given many rules to control their behaviors.  Most of the things you describe are not really non-neurotypical, but part of a personality group.  Ever hang out at a native american gathering?  You'd think that they hated eachother because they have very subtle forms of non-verbal communication but don't speak very much.  They are all neurotypical, that's their culture.  In eastern european countries when you say "how are you" people blurt out exactly how they are...tired, depressed, lonely, every excited.  THAT to an America, who expects "good" would seem very socially awkward and non-neurotypical.  There's just too many factors.

 

Most colleges have councelling for free, and most therepists know of state and government resources.  If this diagnosis and understanding your brian REALLY matters to you, you will do what it takes to figure it out.

 

Most of all remember this line.

 

"If you've seen one blue M&M you've seen ALL the blue M&M's.  But if you see one Autistic person, you've seen one Autistic person"

 

I have worked with Autistic/aspbergers kids and adults.  Quite a few break the mold by being big "talkers" who don't mind eye contact.  Some have found quite amazing ways of stimming.  

 

This isn't appendicitis, this isn't a sunburn.  This is complicated.  And you won't find professional help here, just people sharing their stories.

 

Just out of curiosity, did you read the whole thread or just a few posts?  I never said that I had ASD, just that I thought my symptoms were unusual.  I would not diagnose myself with it.  In fact, my therapist AND psychiatrist mentioned a while back that they wondered if my dad had ever been diagnosed with either autism or OCD.  When they mentioned it to me and asked if it ran in my family, that's when I started to wonder and started researching. 

 

Next time, please read over the entire thread before writing a response.  I mentioned numerous times that I had already sought professional help and was continuing to.  I thought it might be interesting to hear an experienced perspective from those who have been officially diagnosed.  I did not ask for a diagnosis nor if anyone thought that anything I said sounded like I had ASD.  People offered that of their own volition.

 

edited for grammar

Edited March 12, 2014 by MaterMisericordiae