Astronaut Lisa Nowak diagnosed with AS

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She probably has AS. If living with AS didn't frequently cause secondary emotional problems, this forum wouldn't exist.

Her AS may have contributed to her fixation on "confronting" her rival to find out "where she stood" in the romantic triangle - she was completely fixated on getting information out of that woman. I think her intent was to scare information out of her if necessary. I doubt she intended to do her serious physical harm.

This fixation may have caused her weight to plummet and her emotional state to bottom out, leading to brief reactive psychosis and her subsequent desperate actions.

I think she's completely responsible for her actions that contributed to this alleged breakdown, especially for letting this fixation with her rival get out of hand without seeking psychological help for it.

However, it would be very sad if NASA shrinks had previously detected her AS symptoms, and yet failed to educate her on the social difficulties inherent to the condition so that she could have possibly developed more self-awareness and coping mechanisms for emotional stress.

And once again on WP, fellow aspies are trashing someone diagnosed with AS who made a really bad mistake. Obviously hypocrisy and self-righteousness aren't limited to NTs.

You speak of comorbid psychiatric problems that certainly may have played a role in her threatening behaviour. By far, the most prevalent comorbid condition with AS is depression. Does depression make people violent? Not in my experience.

Here is her list of diagnoses:

"Partner relational problem, major depressive disorder, insomnia, brief psychotic disorder with marked stressors, Asperger's disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, loss of body mass, problems with primary support group, marital separation, problems related to social environment, inadequate social support system and inability to confide in social contacts."

Asperger's disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder are very similar, so much so it is not appropriate to diagnose both conditions. I read a paper in psychology journal stating that OCPD should be removed from the DSM because of its similarity with AS. The foundation upon which her messed up personality was built on, is AS. And AS left her alone and vulnerable.

Yes, when I first heard about Lisa Nowak, I thought of AS. Sorry to say, I agree with the diagnosis. Her obsessiveness and single mindedness that got her into space, ended up as a negative obsession with a love rival. I'm sure we agree that AS is a mix of gifts and disabilities, both positive and negative obsessions can occur.

I think Lisa Nowak is more OCD than Aspergers.
But if this is true, you have to be kidding me.

im sorry i just dont believe it. im sure you have to take some kindof psychological tests to do any kindof job at nasa let alone be a friggin astronaught. if she had any of those disorders shurly there are some records somewhere of her seeking help for them, earlier in her life. shes just looking to stay out of prison

No, Asperger's is just one of the many things she has/had.

No, Asperger's is just one of the many things they say she has/had. It seems they are going to argue that Asperger's left her vulnerable to social isolation, she had no one to ask for help (Note the Axis IV). She was depressed, obsessed and all tired and emotional (sorry they mean Brief Psychotic Disorder).

Most of the posts I read on CBS were supportive of her, surprisingly. It seems that diagnosing her with a laundry list of disorders had the intended effect of garnering sympathy.

No, it seems that they will blame her behavior on a Brief Psychotic Disorder.

i think its funny that most people who claim to have disorders its almost always after the fact or when there facing serious jail time.

where were all these horrific disorders prior to this?

An astronaut aspie wearing a diaper, hot.

When I lived in Houston, I worked just a few blocks from NASA.

Tim

I just don't believe that this woman had or ever had, AS. It's infuriating that they are seeking to blame ill conceived act on it, just because its the latest, headline making disorder. A few years back, they were blaming first MPD, and then Bipolar disorder, for everything.

Fabulous. Just what we need.