Asperger's Syndrome In Adults

[snowgarden]

Can anyone tell me if they have adult family members who have Asperger’s Syndrome? Someone mentioned to me that I might have this condition and after doing some reading it seems possible. I have lived my life (despite prayer for deliverance) afraid and alone. In my younger years, I was called painfully shy and as an adult social phobia was a term tossed around. I have never been comfortable with people, even my own family. I have a hard time with conversation (words don’t come easily and syntax is mangled), but I can go on and on about a few things I am interested in like children and conservative politics…I read this is a symptom. I am best in the quiet of my room because sounds (like people making mouth and nose sounds or noises with a deep bass) frustrate me to the point of hysteria if I can’t escape them. My family has always just thought I was quirky and that I could snap out of it if I really wanted to, but I have been unsuccessful for decade upon decade despite faith in God, prayer, self-help books, and attempts to change. I have googled some articles on adults with this condition and it is amazing the personal stories they tell that seem like me in some ways. I’d like to hear from those who actually have experience with this. Thank you.

 

[puzzleannie]

we can’t give specific advice on such topics by forum rules, but if you search on aspergers or autism you will find links to good websites. you would have to be evaluate by professionals it is definitely a complex disorder with a range of manifestations that does not lend itself to self-diagnosis.

 

[Teakafrog]

Although she has never been officially diagnosed, we are sure my MIL has it. It is the only thing to explain her behavior. She is a wonderfully devout Catholic, is a sweet, loving person, but she is most definitely beyond eccentric. She is very literal, and cannot understand implication at all. She can’t empathize, because she cannot imagine what others may be feeling. She also has the sensory issues, with her it is that she smells things others can’t even notice.
Overall, she functions well, and is able to do well at her job and she is close to her family. But people who don’t know how she is have problems relating to her, since she appears to be so aloof and distant.
If you are having problems coping, I think you need to find a psychologist or counselor of some sort. If you are OK with how you are, then don’t worry about it. My MIL surely doesn’t. She is happy the way she is, and we all love her for who she is.

 

[Sina]

Perhaps you can get an official diagnosis? Remember, austism ( that includes asperger’s ) is a whole spectrum and therefore, probably very difficult to p(name removed by moderator)oint by yourself. It would be great to get a better understanding of yourself wouldn’t it?

 

[mizznicole]

I’ve known at least 1 confirmed Asperger’s, and suspect it in several other people I know. I’m in higher education, and I think this field tends to attract Asperger’s type folks.

I agree that it would be good to get an official diagnosis. But I also think we need to be careful about how we think about things like Asperger’s - we’re so quick to label everything a disease. I think of it as just another way people can be. And yes, it might make relating to social situations difficult - but we all have different things in our lives that make it difficult to do X Y and Z. I think the way Asperger’s folks know EVERYTHING about certain things is very fun. The onus should not be on Asperger’s thinkers to fit in, but “normal thinkers” (as some call us, a bit perjoratively) to make allowances for different styles of people.

I hope that you are able to find some solace and answers soon.

 

[laariii]

My younger brother has Asperge’s Syndrome. I wish we had found out sooner. it would of made things a lot easier.

 

[bcuster]

I am a Child and Family Therapist. First, let me say that you are a unique Child of God. God has created you to be who you are. There is nothing about you that cannot, with grace, lead you to union with God. Also, what some people see as a “disorder” others learn to see a blessing.

That being said, there are many different factors that go into a “diagnosis” of Aspergers. Your self-report appears to have aspects of several different issues. Without exploring your childhood environment, your family social organization, etc it is difficult to make a “diagnosis.” If you are curious, concerned, please find a psychologist and make an apointment. You will find out some interesting things about the way your brain works. The psychologist will give you a “diagnosis.” This is information that can help you identify strengths and areas that may need growth. There may be different forms of therapy that will help. There may be accommodations you can make to be sure you are not falling into thinking errors, depression, etc.

I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder. I also was incredibly shy as a child and still have difficulty in social situations. Spiritually, I place myself in God’s care. I have made the total consecration to our Blessed Mother. When I feel anxious, I give all to God through Mary. When I find myself retreating or avoiding social situations, I make myself go out to Church activities, family functions, and for a while I joined a Bunco group just for developing social ties.

Because of my “disorder” I feel I am a better therapist. I am able to “hold” others suffering, listen to what is behind the behaviors or words, and walk with children who are experiencing horrible trauma. Built into my profession is weekly supervision. Self-care is stressed when I am stressed. This is how God has blessed me and supported me. God is Great!

 

[Hlafdige]

There are lots of us out here, some self-diagnosed. Several reasons why adults with Aspergers may not be able to obtain an official diagnosis:

1. 
   *]Scientific understanding of the condition didn‘t really get off the ground until the 1990‘s (first appearance in the DSM-IV: 1994). As it is a neurological, not a psychological issue, psychologists are often poorly equipped to recognize it and may mistakenly interpret symptoms psychologically (e.g. as narcissism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias). Neurologists experienced in diagnosing it can be hard to find; most were trained when it was marginally, if at all, recognized as a health problem.
   
   *]Symptoms are most obvious and recognizable in early childhood. By adulthood most have learned to compensate - „Pretending to be Normal“ as author Liane Willey put it. Even among children, at present many – including an estimated 60% of girls who have it – are never evaluated for a diagnosis. (Both for neurological reasons and because of their social upbringing, females often compensate more easily.)
   
   *]„The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.“ (from the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for Aspergers). In other words, if you‘re able to adjust to the extent that you can function in a job and/or marriage, you don‘t have Aspergers. Like if you can read Braille and get around with an assistance dog, you aren‘t blind.
   
   *]Health professionals often rely on their ability to intuit what‘s wrong with their patient. Autistic-spectrum people are impaired in their ability to receive AND transmit the nonverbal signals that intuition is made of-- that‘s part of their handicap. People who lack this level of communication can be so unconvincing that they may have a hard time getting a diagnosis for broken bones or infectious diseases, let alone Aspergers.

 

[drafdog]

I absently picked up a book for children about Asbergers and read it. (I was bored.) When I asked the wife about whether I might be she said that she and my two eldest daughters (all in education) had read the book and exclaimed “Daddy!”
Since then I have spoken with a therapist about it and he confirmed that I fit the diagnosis. Note that it wasn’t in the compendium of diagonses until the mid 1990’s so I couldn’t have been diagnosed until about the age of 50.
The wife and daughters all say that I am more relaxed and easier to be with now that I know “what’s wrong with me” that I don’t make friends, have trouble remembering names (no problem with faces, just names) and so forth.
Talk to a mental health professional and see what help you can get in dealing with the problems inherent in the syndrome. You might want to consider staying way from crowds: shopping malls at Christmas time, DisneyWorld, Cedar Point, etc.

Matthew

 

[Hlafdige]

drafdog,
Your location (as per your forum profile) has “Aspergers” written all over it. Talk about attention to detail!

 

[Mom_of_5]

drafdog,
Your location (as per your forum profile) has “Aspergers” written all over it. Talk about attention to detail!

Mozart and Einstein may have had Asperger’s as well as other famous folk. While it is not pleasant in some aspects, it is certainly not worst that can happen to anyone. I know a very intelligent man with the syndrome as well as his young son. My problem with being in their presence is that they are far more intelligent than I and I feel that I must carry a dictionary. I do say, "now, can you explain that in “my” language.

Love and peace,

Mom of 5

 

[Zelie_Louis]

Please contact a mental health professional to gain accurate information about this syndrome and discuss with him or her your personal concerns. God bless.