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Riddick124
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07 Feb 2008, 12:29 pm

I was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago, and with Aspergers very recently. I am somewhat confused, seeing as how they seem to be nearly polar opposites. One effect of Asperger's is being able to concentrate completely on one topic, but ADHD is the inability to focus much at all. Can anyone explain to me what effects these two would have on each other? I went to a different psychiatrist for the Asperger's diagnosis, but she believes the original ADHD diagnosis is also true. :?



Keoren
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07 Feb 2008, 12:43 pm

People with an attention deficit are still generally capable of focusing/hyperfocusing on a topic that interests them. I'm personally in the point where I'm getting a statement from a psychologist concerning ADHD, and also suspect that I have AS. To me, the two seem to somewhat remind each other.



Reyairia
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07 Feb 2008, 12:54 pm

I don't believe in contradictions, so for me it's normal. I also was diagnosed with ADHD although I'm unsure if I actually do have ADHD or am misdiagnosed like most people given that diagnosis. Apparently me being able to find interest in any subject has something to do with ADHD, but in reality I don't know.

There is a difference though, at least in terms of the lack of filter; ADHD kids get easily distracted, that's why they lack a filter. Aspies lack a filter, that's why they get easily distracted. ADHD kids know social cues, but are so impulsive they forget them or they can't control themselves in time to remember them, while Aspies don't see them at all. ADHD kids feel everything is too peaceful, so chaos needs to be made. Aspies think everything is chaos, so peace needs to be made.



Liverbird
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07 Feb 2008, 12:58 pm

Reyairia wrote:
I don't believe in contradictions, so for me it's normal. I also was diagnosed with ADHD although I'm unsure if I actually do have ADHD or am misdiagnosed like most people given that diagnosis. Apparently me being able to find interest in any subject has something to do with ADHD, but in reality I don't know.

There is a difference though, at least in terms of the lack of filter; ADHD kids get easily distracted, that's why they lack a filter. Aspies lack a filter, that's why they get easily distracted. ADHD kids know social cues, but are so impulsive they forget them or they can't control themselves in time to remember them, while Aspies don't see them at all. ADHD kids feel everything is too peaceful, so chaos needs to be made. Aspies think everything is chaos, so peace needs to be made.


So, it's a conundrum. I know many AS kids that have comorbid AD/HD dxs. They really do go hand in hand. I know many kids that this has been a good working dx until an AS determination can be made as well.


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zghost
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07 Feb 2008, 3:20 pm

I have both. Perhaps that's why I'm such a mess.



poopylungstuffing
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07 Feb 2008, 3:53 pm

For years I thought I was just an ADDer until I found out about Apsergers...I am not sure where I fit between the two...but definitely somewhere.

It does seem like the other diagnosed ADDers I know do have an easier time assimilating than i do...as in they have more firends/social life/level of "normal" functionality....than I have...

Then again the ones that I know have also been heavily medicated for a good portion of their lives. I am not sure what sort of difference that woulda made for me.

I definitely don't think they "contraindicate" each other...I think they are related.

I am a member of a few ADD message boards (have been..more or less for years)....and many of the people over there complain about the same types of difficuties and whatnot....'s-funny