I wonder if I have Asperger's.

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I was just wondering if you know much about Asperger’s Syndrome. My family probably thinks I am nuts to think I have it since I seem so normal and well adjusted and the fact I am 27 years old, but I truly have this feeling I may have this. I just had gone to a seminar on autism and a man named Paul Johnson was speaking. He was diagnosed late (his 40s) and he was describing how things are for him and I swear, he was describing me.

The last time I went to a psychologist I was 16 years old and they said I had social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and several phobias. It just didn’t fit. I also have weird things, such as I am probably the pickiest eater you’d ever meet (not only picky with what I like to eat, but how it is prepared and nothing can touch each other and it has to be steaming hot if it's supposed to be hot and super cold if it's supposed to be cold, etc.) and I still have a ratty old “blankie” (I take a corner of it and like to feel the scratching on my skin…I can NOT bring myself to give up this thing). I also don't like open spaces--so when I am in a room, I like the windows/doors SHUT. I have little rituals...for example, I always have to lock doors and prepare my bed sheets before I get into bed just perfectly. I am such a perfectionist with sooo many things, I can't even name all the things that I need "just right."

Growing up, I have always had trouble making friends and people made fun of me all the time for being immature and/or weird—I have always been a writer and I guess that’s not considered “cool”. Right now I would say my best friends are: my husband and a friend from high school that I get together with once every few months (we mostly e-mail each other). I don't go out of my way to make new friends.

Anyway, there are so many more things, that is all I have time to write at the moment. I just want to see what others who may have it think... I know that I may not even have Asperger’s, but I just know something isn’t right either…I feel like I have gotten so much better after college, but I am still feeling so anxious, especially in social situations…my husband has begged me to go to someone to help me, but I don’t like talking to ANYone about this stuff. I guess this is my first step then. I am planning to see someone in two to three weeks that will hopefully be able to help me. He is supposed to specialize in Asperger's, but can help with other stuff if I don't have it.

Social anxiety is definately one AS trait. There are many others as well.

There are a number of Asperger Quiz's out there. You could always try them. Relating to what many people say could indicate that you are AS, but it is best to speak with a professional. People talk about reading other aspie's words, and it resonating with them. Maybe it's a first clue.

Regardless of the label, talking to a professional may bring help if you have certain issues. It's important to try.

Welcome.

Keep researching and I recommend the RDOS test(google it). It is not definitive but can give you some idea. I scored 163/200 and was DXed aspie,so I think it has some validity. Might be interesting to have your husband to take it to, just for perspective.


It makes total sense that we would have a lot of social anxiety considering that we don't understand 80% of human communication(non-verbal) and are often misunderstood...just like we would be in a country where we only speak 20% of their language and they keep using "slang"(why don't people learn to use their words better?)Because they don't have to . John Stewart had a funny bit about this on his show last night about "secret coded NV communication in African Americans"..based on by some inane "news" person speculating that Obama was giving Hilary Clinton "the finger", when he was scratching his face with his middle finger...it was pretty funny.

Wow, off tangent much? Welcome to WP.

Thanks for the replies...I took one quiz a few days ago because I was curious, but it might have been bogus--I scored a 37 and it said anything over 32 indicates possible Asperger's. Any more insight???

You have complusions and anxiety around people. You said you had trouble making friends, some people are just like that. I couldn't say with any certainty whether or not you have AS given the information you supplied. I do not recommend doing any AS Quizes over the internet. If your a loner it will say you have it. And so many people that take those quizes get it back that they may have AS. Which is a much higher rate then the number of those that have AS you'd be expecting.

I'd advice trying this test though:

http://www.rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php (It is long.)

Of course the results are just checking for symptoms and traits. They do not check for the cause of these traits. But the cause is the importance thing about it.

You can have traits of... say, AS and score as socially anxious even if you're not. Because being AS, you act similar to someone who's socially anxious.

And the other way around too. Take it in mind.

But you'll be seeing a specialist anyway. Sounds good.

Not a trait of AS, but there's a high chance to have AS and social anxiety.

Really really high chance to have both anyway. Because if others see you as 'strange, weird, odd' and if you make countless social blunders on top, that's just a linear road to possible high levels of anxiety.

Dante, that was my thought...I am just in disbelief that I finally have the guts to call a professional. I thought I would never go back to one and I didn't trust them (or any doctors). I guess I'll find out what happens. I am sure there is something going on, I just wish I knew what it was. My eating habits especially are starting to bother me and I just don't know what to do. The social anxiety seems to always be there and I am used to it, but it still is embarassing when I can't think of the words, for example, when I am on the phone or in a meeting at work...

Anyway, my appt. is on May 13, hopefully I'll get some answers.

This is my score:


Here is the full report...I put some ??? over things I don't know.
http://www.rdos.net/pdf/514506129174047 ... 5/quiz.pdf

Other than AS, there are these very similar disorders.

OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) or obessive-compulsive personaility disorder, seems likely, which is also connected with AS.
ADHD...there are different types other than the classic hyper-active type (try Inattentive ADD for one).
Personality disorders (Schizoid personality disorder is very similar)

AS seems to me like a mix of several disorders: ADHD,OCD, depression, social and generalized anxiety, phobias, sensory issues, etc... You can can have one or all of these problems.

Here's a link to the different personality disorders: http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc. ... d=440&cn=8

Last edited by jason_b1980 on 22 Apr 2008, 8:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Sounds a lot like me, and although I am still in the middle of the diagnostic process, my doctor has all but said that I have an autistic brain, even if I don't fit the fairly rigid criteria for an AS diagnosis (she is not sure if my social issues are enough to warrant an AS diagnosis). It's also, however, quite possible you just have mild OCD combined with social phobia. I am wondering if perhaps you have noticed any "special interest" tendencies in your life, or if you have any idea if your body language/posture is odd. Those are the most common AS traits missing from your description, but just from what you said, it sounds like you could have AS.

I am pretty much obsessed and engrossed with writing, editing and reading...I also really like those TV shows on DVD and have a huge collection. I watch them over and over I used to have a turtle collection, now I don't do that much anymore.

I didn't know about the body language/posture thing....I guess I sit very rigid for the most part, but maybe because I have mild scolosis. I also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and have a lot of sleep problems...maybe I don't have it at all, if I do have this Aspergers? My perception of pain could be off--I am constantly in pain and I am so tired all the time and have insomnia...it's hard to explain all those symptoms, but anyway, it would be great if I found out that I didn't have fibromyalgia after all, but that is wishful thinking....

You sound a lot like me as well. After a full day's work, when I come home, I don't have the energy to do much...not that I have much to do anyways. ADHD, depression, poor diet, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as well as about 100 other things, also contribute to the lack of energy. When you have trouble sleeping, do you feel like your brain won't shut down, and have a lot of things running through your head?

Any of this sound like you?


Inattentive ADD:

• Easily distracted

• Difficulty with sustaining attention span for most tasks

• Trouble listening when others are talking

• Procrastination

• Trouble keeping an organized area (room, desk, book bag, locker, etc.)

• Frequently late or hurried

• Tendency to loose things

• Poor attention to detail; makes careless mistakes

• Forgetful

• Daydreams excessively

• Complains of being bored

• Appears apathetic or unmotivated

• Is tired, sluggish or slow-moving

• Is spacey or seems preoccupied

No, my brain doesn't feel like that...I am feeling just uneasy and/or pain or too hot or too cold. It's just a combination of stuff.

Of the list I feel these things only:
Inattentive ADD:

• Procrastination

• Trouble keeping an organized area--bedroom and house only...I am OK at work

• Frequently hurried (I am rarely late)

• Tendency to lose things

• Forgetful

• Daydreams (at times, not excessively)

• Is tired

• Is spacey (at times)

With what you listed, it's possible that you could have it, but the only real way to know for certain (for the most part anyways) is to see a professional about it...I am still putting off seeing one myself.

and maybe the reason you seem normal to your family is the fact that they have known you for 27 years anyway