After hearing about Susan Boyle and her diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome.....

[baxie]

I was talking to my mother about this and she expressed the opinion that she always thought I fitted the Aspergers/Autism description, that is as well as the mental health problems I have.

So I did a couple of online Autism Tests, and both came back with results in the 40's, which could be an indicator of Aspergers at the least.

Now, I see my Doctor on Friday, do you think I should bring this subject up with him?

Advice and opinions welcomed.

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi

It is useful to do the online tests in order to think about what you have difficulties with but I wouldn't take them too seriously as a diagnosis. I now score 37 and years ago scored a lot higher but I have been a teacher, a social worker and am a fully trained psychotherapist.

Some of the symptoms that are considered by some people as signs of Aspergers can also be simple indications of a person not having developed psychologically in certain areas. As a trained psychologist I understand the way childrens' understanding of the world develops and though I used to believe I was mentally ill and for a time believed I was Aspergers now as a result of lengthy psychodynamic psychotherapy I realise that emotionally in some ways I still had a child's needs, feelings and way of understanding the world. Gradually over the years I have been in therapy my Aspergers score has lowered as have my scores on the Eysenck personality inventory where they have increasingly evened out so that now I am really well balanced in the four areas. It has been interesting for me to see that happen to myself as well as having a theoretical understanding.

You may not be Aspergers but your mental health problems may be the result of difficulties from your past which make your mother think you have Aspergers tendencies but the difficulties may themselves be the result of other things. For example, I felt emotionally insecure and felt uncertain whether I was loveable and as a result found it hard to imagine a lot of things that other people took for granted. Because I was an emotionally isolated child I found it impossible to follow a conversation within a group but as I became more comfortable in myself and therefore more comfortable with other people I found it much easier to relate within a group. I am also more able to understand humour I previously would have struggled to understand, for example not seeing the point in a joke.

We develop according to experiences and Aspergers is a quite specific problem that is usually considered to be the result of subtle brain abnormalities (though I do not agree with that view...). Many people have some of the symptoms of Aspergers, particularly those who have had early emotionally difficult experiences and as a result have developed mental health problems. It may be that you do not identify your experiences as the cause of your mental health problems but if you do think they may have contributed then you may be helped by talking with a trained psychotherapist. Your GP could refer you to the nearest service if you wish that.

Suex

[gardengnome]

do you think the problems with 'imagination' apply to you? As this is also part of the criteria, as well as the social side.

It is a well worn, but fairly true chicle that everyone is Somewhere on the autistic spectrum. I guess what you do depends on whether any therapy you are already trying is already helping with the issues you currently have.

Check out advice to adults diagnosed with aspergers, some of the self-help info might be useful, even for the so called 'average' person.

According to the national autistic society an official diagnosis could be useful at work, as it is classed as a disability an employer will have to make 'reasonable adjustments' for in the same way as some one with a physical disability.

autism.org.uk/about-autism/...

Besides don't forget asperger comes with strengths too like attention to detail, a logical mind etc.

I found a nice link when googling 'aspergers life coaching ' which describes some of the useful things about being on the spectum:

coachingasperger.com/advant...

[Hidden]

Hello

When I had my last crisis, the hospital checked for dementia, I had become concerned that because of certain markers I had Autism, they did the tests and said I was ok although they admitted that my tests were showing problems. of another condition, that was not explained fully.

Then I asked if the latter could be the problem, I was told it could although I am 63 and even if the test had proved positive they would still question the result and therefore would not want to give out that diagnosis, it becomes more problematic with age.

My medical problems are complex and are made worse because of mental health issues. I wanted an explanation

BOB

[Gambit62]

On a practical note - was the appointment made in relation to this concern? The appointment system is so time focused these days that you may get a rather cold response and even told that they can't deal with it at the moment and you need to make another appointment for that issue if it isn't the specific reason or directly related to the reason you are seeing the doctor. If it isn't then it might be better to make another appointment and take a copy of the test with you ... and may be your mother so she can give some examples ... half jesting with that but it can help to have someone else with you when talking about these things.