Hello from the mtns of WNC

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Well, it seems that the DSM-V has robbed us of our "Asperger Syndrome" dx and now we are all "just" living on the Spectrum. I guess that's a good thing in a way, since it validates certain aspects of our neurodiversity. I personally do not consider AS to be a "disorder." It has given me many gifts. On the other hand, I do suffer (and I do mean suffer) from bipolar dis-ease, which has wreaked havoc with every possible aspect of my life. I think my Aspie-ness has saved me from even worse possibilities by giving me the ability to live in the land of writing. That is my passion and my obsession. Also, I have a Service Dog who reels me back in when I melt down or dissociate for too long. She also reminds me insistently to go to bed, which I would forget to do if I did not have an external source of reminder-ness.

I hope that by joining this group I will meet some like-minded and interesting people. I am an official recluse (a federal judge said so in my disability hearing, which was made difficult because of my I.Q. and my past accomplishments), so I don't get out much (joke). In fact I can't stand to be around humans, although I have an amazing bond with animals, even wild ones, since childhood.

I guess that's all for now--I am making dinner for my elderly parents and have to go make sure everything is going along the way it should. Thanks for letting me in here--moxadox

Hello and welcome to WP.

I wouldn't sweat it - the DSM V is not carved in stone (evidenced by the fact that 4 DSMs came before it) and has proven already to be so controversial on so many levels, my own therapist told me she isn't even going to start using it because she's so certain it will be recalled and revised (yet again).

Add to that the fact that researchers are discovering through MRI scans that there are actual physical differences between brains with AS/HFA and those with lower functioning classic Kanner's Autism. So the Asperger Syndrome DX is almost certain to be reinstated at some point in the future.

Personally, I'm fine with the High Functioning Autism designation, if only because I can't stand to hear people mispronouncing Hans Ahz-pair-gur's name as "Ass Burgers."

Welcome to the neighborhood!

Yeah, I find the new brain imaging studies very exciting and validating, that there are concrete reasons why I am and have always been "weird, egghead, bookworm, clueless," and other unpleasant epithets. I'm not a bit worried about nomenclature. I just like having something concrete to reassure me that there is a good reason why the behavior of nts is mostly uninteresting, and often abrasive.

@Lostiehere, thanks! Much appreciated.

hi, moxadox, (after amoxicillin?) I, too, used to practice medicine. all my med school friends became pediatricians. I became an internist instead, because I wanted to throw negligent parents out the fourth story window during my peds rotation.

there is a duke med student on WP, goes by aspieMD, who would appreciate hearing from you.

welcome

Thanks