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Bellacute
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14 Feb 2014, 1:56 pm

I've never been diagnosed as autistic so not sure if this is normal or not.

I love animals, but especially my two cats and my fish. The trouble is I make myself sick when theres something wrong.

I put a new set of fish in my tank yesterday and we lost one overnight; it's so hard having to net him out of the tank. Since then I've been checking my remaining fish and doing a head count every 1-2 hours, if one is missing I panic. The one who we lost has a brother in the tank, and the brother got stuck between the heater and the tank edge, so I worried about him til my dad got him unstuck. Now I'm panicking that I'm going to lose him to. I'm so worried that I keep checking the tank that he's still breathing, and panicking if he looks stuck :(

I'm the same with the older of my two cats. She's 14, and I know that she is getting old now. If she doesn't eat for a few days or is grumpy, I automatically panic even though the vet recently said for her age she;s really health (she has no underlying conditions or joint problems).

I've been sick twice today already due to the fish and now I can't find my other cat (she's 12), I'm scared she's run away :(

Is this normal? Or do I need help?


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Not diagnosed autistic but I and my family suspect I am, so currently looking into getting a diagnoses.

AQ score: 43

Your Aspie score: 167 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 34 of 200
You are very likely an Aspie


hanyo
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14 Feb 2014, 2:33 pm

I'm the same way with my cats. Mine are indoor only cats and if I don't know where they are and I can't find them I worry a lot and get anxious even if it is impossible for them to have left the house since no one went in or out and they'd have to get through two doors to get outside because I live in an apartment. If anything seems slightly off about them I worry.



Pastanoodle
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14 Feb 2014, 2:43 pm

That sounds like an anxiety disorder. You should get help. It's not good to have that sense of dread and worry all the time. It can get definitely get better though.


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hihowareyou
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14 Feb 2014, 2:44 pm

It sounds like OCD which is a type of anxiety. I have Asperger's and OCD.



droppy
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14 Feb 2014, 3:03 pm

Yeas but not only about animals. I am also about other people and myself.
I see a cat crossing the street "what if it gets ran over and dies?" And I get anxious
I see a bird on the grass "what if someone/something kills it?" And I get anxious
I see a snail on the sidewalk "what if someone moves it?" And I get anxious (in that case I take it in my hand and I put it somewhere safer)
My father goes to work "what if he has a car accident?" And I get anxious
I leave the house to go to school and leave my mother at home "what if she has an heart attack?" And I get anxious
I didn't see Andrew on friday while I usually see him on that day "what if he has committed suicide due to his dysthymia/anorexia?" And I get anxious
I am crossing the street "what if a car runs over me?" And I get anxious



DarkRain
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14 Feb 2014, 3:04 pm

Sounds more like excessive anxiety than Asperger's to me.



Soccer22
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14 Feb 2014, 4:05 pm

I'm the same way. I actually find it to be an ok thing. I'd rather you be concerned and empathetic rather than uncaring. It sounds like an OCD thing but eh, again, I'd rather you be like that instead of an uncaring person. If it starts to destroy your life, then definitely get help, but if it's not, and all it's doing is making you a more caring person, then don't get help.



justkillingtime
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14 Feb 2014, 4:38 pm

It could be depression, also.


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JSBACHlover
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14 Feb 2014, 4:42 pm

First of all, I want to thank you for caring so much about your animals. They are precious and I used to worry about my dog all the time.

But back to your topic, yes, you seem to have an anxiety disorder with some OCD. I'd see a psychiatrist about that so you can get on some meds that will help you. I know this from my own experience.



ak_born
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14 Feb 2014, 5:24 pm

Bellacute wrote:
Is this normal? Or do I need help?


I'm diagnosed with mild AS, and I do become physically ill if I'm worried about something (will be unable to concentrate, have nausea/loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping). I'm also diagnosed with comorbid anxiety disorder and have taken a small does of benzodiazepines each evening for the last seven years. Along with therapy, this has made a profoundly positive change in my daily functioning and ability to handle stress/unknowns.


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Bellacute
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15 Feb 2014, 11:56 am

Thanks for the replies guys, I do have depression but hadn't linked it to this, will mention it to my doctor next time i have a review for my medication. Hopefully it's not something else on top of my depression and potential autism.


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Not diagnosed autistic but I and my family suspect I am, so currently looking into getting a diagnoses.

AQ score: 43

Your Aspie score: 167 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 34 of 200
You are very likely an Aspie


Acedia
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15 Feb 2014, 1:33 pm

No. You're normal.



EzraS
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15 Feb 2014, 2:06 pm

This is a main reason why ive elected to not have any pets for a long time.