Do I have Asperger's Syndrome? Warning - long!

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Hello, I wonder if someone could help me. I have been diagnosed as having Social Phobia with depression. I have been reading some articles online about Asperger's Syndrome and the book "Freaks, Geek and Asperger's Syndrome". I now think I may have Asperger's Syndrome.

Here are some of my symptoms:

I have always had terrible social skills, from when I was very young I had no idea how to make friends, etc. I'm also pretty useless in group conversations, like not knowing when I can join in.

I can take people too literally and I can be very blunt.

I still have great trouble making friends, most people think I'm weird or annoying because I always say stupid random things.

A lot of "social rules" seem foreign to me, and I'm only just beginning to learn about them now at age 19.

I never made eye contact until recently, instead I just looked at people's mouths when they spoke to me. I have been trying to make eye contact now, but it's very uncomfortable.

I also never used to use hand movements when I was younger, simply because I did not know how to use them properly.

In school my english teachers always said I lacked imagination, so I had trouble writing stories, etc.

My intellect is above average.

When I get an interest in something I usually become obessed, reading everything I can about it online and I end up talking about it all the time. It completly dominated my thoughts. People have often commented on how I always go on and on about the same thing.

I'm sometimes fascinated by patterns and how things work, like the layout of the tiles in my bathroom.

I hate change, like when I saw my (few) friends changing during puberty it frightened me and I used to pray obessively that I wouldn't change like them.

I also have some obsessive-compulsive tendancies.

I find the topics most people talk about are boring and prefer intellectual topics, such as science, time travel, the existance of God, etc.

I love science, computers, books and video games. I am absolutely terrible at sports (and have no real interest in them either).

I have no real interest in relationships, atleast not the sexual kind (although I do envy people who have lots of friends and can fit in, but I'm so useless at making friends)

I prefer my own company

I have a tendancy to take people's jokes or criticisms to heart.

I'm always drifting off into my own world, especially if I'm working on something, I can become completely engrossed in it that I'm unaware of what is going on around me. I'm usually stuck inside my own head, with this internal monologue running constantly.

It was only recently pointed out to me that it's extremely rude to butt into other people's conversations and/or evesdrop.

If I'm destracted I find it hard to get back to what I was doing.

I was bullied in school and felt isolated, which I believe is what led to my socialphobia and depression.

Well that's all I can think off right now, but I'm sure there are more. Do you think it would be worth mentioning to my pyschologist/psychiatrist?

I realise no one here can actually diagnose me, but any advice would be muchly appreciated.

You must be fairly new to this forum. Hi, and welcome. I'm Jason Larsen. It sounds like you are right on the money with your symptoms. I have trouble understanding subtleties and humor as well. I try my very best to write, but I don't think people understand what I write. I am constantly reminded about social skills as well. However, people still consider me to be a good, smart person. Also, I tend to be obsessed as well. For example, if I think about a person who I consider to be a friend, I obsess about them for what seems like years and years. I also get distracted and find it hard to get back to what I am doing. I don't like change either. Once a situation occurs, I hope it stays the same.

My gosh, we have a lot in common. That is interesting.

I hope you continue to post here, and express your feelings. We are a very open group of people, and none of us would ever be afraid to talk to you.

If there's anything else that concerns you, please let us know.

Before I begin, AS is not a medication
disease, it is a social and communication
issue that is similar to autism, and doesn't
involve a NVLD(early age learning disability)
and IEP(involving a special school before
regular school).

You should technically have no learning
disabilities at a young age(autism) and
socially and communication wise is your
main focus since you should have a average
to above average intelligence and great
vocabuary, spelling and other logical skills
usually at a young age, and just need
communication and social help.

You may share similar traits in other areas
but that is why it is in the autism spectrum.
Medicating is a disease or chemical imbalance
issue, NOT SOCIAL AND COMMUNICATIVE.

Regarding medication, the autism spectrum
is a lifelong behvorial issue, medication only
alleviates extreme symptomed cases, not
cure the problem.

Thanks for reading this disclaimer,
From Ghosthunter

and back to a more objective reading....


Here are some of my symptoms:

I have always had terrible social skills, from
when I was very young I had no idea how to
make friends, etc. I'm also pretty useless in
group conversations, like not knowing when
I can join in.

•Yes, this would apply to AS/Autism

I can take people too literally and I can be
very blunt.

•Yes, this too applies to AS/Autism

I still have great trouble making friends, most
people think I'm weird or annoying because I always
say stupid random things.

•So far so good, AS/Autism

A lot of "social rules" seem foreign to me, and I'm
only just beginning to learn about them now at
age 19.

•This is the difference between AS and Autism:

•age 3, NVLD and IEP for language and spatial
issues,ect... AUTISM

•age 3-4, Little professor....AS
no learning disability

I never made eye contact until recently,
instead I just looked at people's mouths
when they spoke to me. I have been trying to
make eye contact now, but it's very uncomfortable.

•This applies to AS and Autism, and for example, Civet
would look at walls instead of eye's, I looked at mirrors
or side of your head, or maybe shining lights.

I also never used to use hand movements when I was
younger, simply because I did not know how to use them
properly.

•Hmmm?

In school my english teachers always said I lacked
imagination, so I had trouble writing stories, etc.

•Hmmmm? Something I read about Autism and being
too technical?

My intellect is above average.

•Nothing out of the ordinary

When I get an interest in something I usually become
obessed, reading everything I can about it online and
I end up talking about it all the time. It completly
dominated my thoughts. People have often commented
on how I always go on and on about the same thing.

•AS and Autism apply here

I'm sometimes fascinated by patterns and how things work,
like the layout of the tiles in my bathroom.

•Hmmm? I am not sure if that was autism(NVLD)
or Aspergers(no-NVLD)

I hate change, like when I saw my (few) friends changing
during puberty it frightened me and I used to pray obessively
that I wouldn't change like them.

•Hmmm?

I also have some obsessive-compulsive tendancies.

•Be more specific?

I find the topics most people talk about are boring and
prefer intellectual topics, such as science, time travel,
the existance of God, etc.

•I want to say nothing to worry about! Hmmmm?
Not sure!

I love science, computers, books and video games.
I am absolutely terrible at sports (and have no real
interest in them either).

•Nothing out of the ordinary, Hmm? how many
NT's havethis issue, something to think about.

I have no real interest in relationships, atleast not
the sexual kind (although I do envy people who have
lots of friends and can fit in, but I'm so useless at
making friends)

•Autism on one of the spectrum, Not AS, comes
to mind.

I prefer my own company

•Autism! Hmmm? NVLD or not?

I have a tendancy to take people's jokes or criticisms
to heart.

•AS and Autism

I'm always drifting off into my own world, especially if I'm
working on something, I can become completely engrossed
in it that I'm unaware of what is going on around me.
I'm usually stuck inside my own head, with this internal
monologue running constantly.

•AS and Autism related.

It was only recently pointed out to me that it's extremely
rude to butt into other people's conversations and/or
evesdrop.

•Hmmm? Don't jump to conclusions, even NT's do this.

If I'm destracted I find it hard to get back to what
I was doing.

•Autism!! !! !!

I was bullied in school and felt isolated, which I believe
is what led to my socialphobia and depression.

•LIKE I SAID, MEDICATIONS ARE FOR A DISEASE,
THEY DISGUISE THE UNDERLYING reasons for reactions.
THEY ARE NOT A CURE nor solution.

Well that's all I can think off right now, but I'm sure
there are more. Do you think it would be worth
mentioning to my pyschologist/psychiatrist?

•NO MED'S, search yourself and find your answers,
a psychologist may be of certain kind of help, but it is
up to you to seek your internal answers.

I realise no one here can actually diagnose me, but
any advice would be muchly appreciated.

I hoped I helped,
Ghosthunter(and HFA, or Higher Form of Autism)

We're two rings on the same hand... If you tryed picturing that bad analogy you're probably AS...You practically described myself. I've been dx'ed with ADD, OCD, and AS. I think OCD is from my AS.

Same here. I've learned some tricks and have adapted though. AS symptom.



Me, and AS, again.



My friends enjoy me for my stupid weird comments, well, some do. Again, I'm prettty sure that's common AS trait.



Same her. AS for sure.



This is the one trait most of us share. I've always let my eyes wonder and get distracted. I just started to try to look into poeples eyes more ofte. AS again.



Not sure what you mean, but I often don't know what to do with my hands. Could be AS, possibly ADD?



AS and/or ADD. It seems NT's can turn their imagination on and off. I also had trouble writing stories. Poetry is more my thing.



Never had IQ test, but logic is above average. AS again.



All AS symptoms. My obsessing is balnced with being easily distracted though.

I'm too lazy to go on, but you're definitely AS. And because AS tends to be paired with other "disorders", I'd also suggest looking into ADD/OCD.

You must be my twin!

I also watch mouths. And I have never "hand-flapped" or done anything with my hands except write and draw. And chew my nails. In fact, when I was in high school I had to be taught to use hand gestures in public speaking class under threat of a lower grade if I continued to stand with my hands straight down at my side or tightly gripping the podium.



PLEASE come over for a cup of tea... or coffee... or anything! I desperately NEED people like you to talk to!



Yep. Gets me in trouble, too.



Currently I've moved out of my Rosemary Sutcliff/Roman-Britain obsession and have been losing sleep reading and researching Welsh mythology. I recently discovered Lloyd Alexander's children's series The Prydain Chronicles and was hooked. Now I'm off to delve into the Mabinogion.

Nice to meet you! I'm glad you've found your way here!

I often find it hard to look at the mouth, too, or anywhere on the head for that matter. If I do then I tend to get absorbed in details about their complexion, proportions, hair, etc.

For me, the dominating thoughts have been about AS ever since I found out about it. I spend more time reading about AS than I do surfing for porn.

I thought I was the only one who even noticed the pattern on the bathroom floor, let alone fixated on them.

I don't think I really paid much attention to puberty in other people. It didn't distress me at all. The kinds of changes that bother me are the more sudden and drastic kinds. Moving to a new house is a major disruption for me.

I guess that's where I'm not quite to Aspie. I want to have relationships but find I'm generally hopeless at forming them or keeping them alive. Sometimes I want to be left completely alone for a while, but that's usually limited to a day or two. For what it's worth, when I wasn't getting any sex I was obsessed with it. Now that I have a partner my interest has dropped off quite a bit. The mystery is gone.

The internal dialog is a normal part of consciousness for NTs and Aspies alike. I do get very lost in my perseverances, though. I routinely stop by the computer on my way to bed at night "just to check my email" and then the next thing I know the alarm clock is going off and I have to get ready for another day.

What have you got to lose?

Im into time travel and God

Have you read/watched Stephen Kings The Langoliers? Stephen King lives in my hometown

Since there's been so many subjective dissections of your post, and to what you may have, lets go through the DSM-IV criteria, shall we?

A:
(1) You mentioned problems with eye contact and gestures. (OK)
(2) You mentioned having a couple of age-appropriate friends. While you have trouble, you haven't failed. (X)
(3) Your post didn't mention anything about this point. (?)
(4) Your post didn't mention anything about this point. (?)




B:
(1) You mentioned being "obsessive-compulsive" about intellectual topics which you find interesting. (OK)
(2) You hate change. While you were terrified about changing like your friends, this is not indicitive of AS, but more a natural worry for teenagers. Does this also extend to other changes, like changes in surroundings/routines? (?)
(3) You haven't mentioned any. This extends to things like spinning yourself/objects, rocking, tapping. This behavior usually has a calming effect. (?)
(4) You are sometimes fascinated with how things work. Persistent? Is it a short-lived fascination? (Possibly)



C: Definate impairment in your social abilities. (OK)



D: Do you remember having been to a speech therapist or having problems speaking around that age? You could ask your parents about this. Since you haven't mentioned a delay, you probably didn't have one. (OK)



E: Again, lack of mention probably means you had no problems in this area. (OK)

According to the DSM-IV, you meet the criteria for an Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis. You should probably bring up the possibility with your therapist, or perhaps consider seeing a specialist in AS/autism.