I have not be diagnosed with Asperger's, just to make that clear. The reason I am here is to establish whether or not I should. Here is part of my story:
I was born almost 22 years ago with a genetic metabolic disorder known as
Phenylketonuria (PKU). That diagnosis has almost no bearing on my
actual mental status, but might be relevant to the determination of my
current diagnosis. PKU can lead to brain damage, and has also been linked to a higher incidence of mental illness.
When I was a child, I displayed indications of impaired social development. I cannot accurately tell you what exactly, as I do not have much memory of those times. They
did actually suspect some form of autism, but shot down that idea, and never concluded why I was such a "strange, isolated" child.
When I hit the age of 14, a series of events led me to end up in the hospital psyche ward, with a diagnosis of
schizoaffective disorder. I can definitely understand how they came to that conclusion, I was presenting a mood disorder (I was depressed), and I also had some psychotic symptoms. I also was presenting the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Medication quickly fixed the positive symptoms of the "schizo" part of my illness, but the negative ones cannot be combated with medication very well. I was also relatively stable in the mood department, although I still have my minor ups and downs.
All of that is fine and dandy. I fit the "profile" of schizoaffective pretty well. But there is absolutely no way I can deny the feeling of recognition when I read the characteristics of Asperger's. It was like someone had profiled me and put it on the internet. My jaw literally dropped when I read some parts. That feeling of realization,
that is what is making me second guess my diagnosis of schizoaffective. So, I am wondering if anyone here thinks it's possible I got misdiagnosed, and they missed it when I was a child. I want to hear people's thoughts!
I am also wondering, is it common for adults to get diagnosed, or is it almost exclusively diagnosed in childhood? How would they test? What do people with Asperger's typically have trouble with? Is there anything else I can ask myself? Who would test me? (A psychiatrist I would assume)
PS: Autism spectrum disorders run in my family, I have two second cousins who have full blown autism
Anyway, here is an introduction thing:
What is your first name? Kate
Age: 21
Location: Ontario, Canada
Hobbies and Interests: metal music, reading/books, looking at maps, psychology, learning, internet
Why are you here? see above paragraph
When were you diagnosed?(skip if you don't have a disorder): n/a
Favorite subjects: biology, music
Year/Grade: 1st year Pre Health Science
Favorite music: power metal, thrash metal, sludge metal, prog metal, doom metal, stoner metal/rock, industrial metal, folk metal, viking metal, psytrance, goa, ambient, industrial, EBM, darkwave, stoner rock, prog rock, classic rock
Books: Incarnations of Immortatility series by Piers Anthony, Discworld series by Terry Pratchett, The Stand by Stephen King, anything by H.P. Lovecraft, Darkly Dreaming Dexter and Dearly Devoted Dexter, and more
TV shows/Movies: Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, Red Dragon, American History X, Resident Evil Trilogy, Kill Bill 1 & 2, Grindhouse, Apt Pupil, Donnie Darko etc.
Instrument: I play bass
Do you like sports? If so, which ones?: I used to play hockey and I loved it, but had to stop because I am too busy with school
Family: Parents (obviously) and a 19 year old brother
Clothing: my main outfit consists of jeans and a tshirt, sometimes band shirts, sometimes random shirts
How did you find this website? Wikipedia
Job: dishwasher at a restaurant
Plans for the future? I want to become a paramedic
Any comments? I want to know more about people with Asperger's and see how similar I am to them
The Neurologist I visited was afraid I was developinging schizoid something since one of my Aunt's had it.
I looked at her and just shook my head because I have never had a single hallucination in my life(besides when I was little and I kind of saw this "wolf-like" thing. I still don't know what was up with that day).
You sound similar to me, and you seem rather intelligent. I think the textbook definition of Asperger's is not always right.
01 Oct 2007, 5:00 pm
