Hello, I am new.
I am 29 years old androgynous person. (I find gender segregation to be pointless outside of areas of reproduction).
This is the first time I have ever been to a Psychologist, so far Ive found it very helpful.
The therapist I have been going to for treatment of depression, anxiety and almost no social life(my label) for seven months now told me that he thinks that the cause of my problems (from looking at my life history, and "how I speak") is from untreated and undiagnosed Aspergers, causing Social Anxiety Problems.
I do not trust the opinion of just one doctor, and even he said getting a second opinion is a good thing if diagnosis is important to me, he is happy to give me a referral to a specialist. That the treatment for me would revolve around learning new social skills to replace the less effective ones I have, regardless of the cause. (Treating a person and not a diagnosis) So that hopefully I can get a social network and find a good job. (something better than day labor please)
I can vaguely see why he thinks so but, I do have concerns. both about his opinion and the label of Aspergers as a whole.
Largely because much of the diagnostic criteria for Aspergers can be applied to the cultural context I live in as a whole (American society) as well as most of the people in it. That and the criteria are so very subjective and incomplete themselves. Well, according to my own view.
Such as,
Lack of social reciprocity: Its sad but there are a lot of people who are not socially reciprocal and only talk or even deal with people unless its for money.
Look at how many homeless people we have, hardly social reciprocity.
In busy traffic yelling obscenities and waving hand gestures at someone at another car when they can not see or hear you is hardly a developed theory of mind. Its only annoying to the people in the car. ((I do find the concepts of Theory of Mind and Philosophy of Mind interesting))
Restricted and Repetitive patterns of interest and behavior:
I have tons of interests (Reading, Hiking, Painting, Computer Programming, Sewing ... the list goes on), to me it seems everyone I meet has a single obsessive interest that they wrap their life around, (goto college for it, job revolves around it ect.) I find it amazing that people can stay focused on one thing their whole life when there are so many fascinating things to do in the world. This is a huge problem for me, I still can not figure out what I want to major in in college, I want to finish but I don't want to be restricted into studying only one thing.
It does seem like I am a complete idiot when I am not doing what I am interested in, to what extent is that true for everyone.
I always figured that my social problems were because I just happen to like more things than most people, so I spend my time doing what I like (like most people do). Not anything of a neurological basis. To what extent does Pedantic Speech happen to anyone who reads alot from childhood and continues to read alot in adulthood. (Nature vs Nurture theoretical dilemma)
I don't think I have rigid thinking, not sure how I would test that.
Seems to me that if have Aspergers or anything similar I would be close to normal (neurologically, socially that's a different story as there I am no where near normal).
I apologize if this post is full of ignorance and lies.
I am still in the process of learning. (Prior to 2 weeks ago, my knowledge of Autism was a handful of people I have met who are Low Functioning Autistic (my cousin and his friend), and the very colorful autism awareness stickers on cars). Autism was just not something I thought about. =/
Nevertheless,
I might post now and again.
27 Feb 2012, 11:53 am
