Random questions about Asperger syndrome symptoms and diagnosis

[AMs]

I don't have a formal diagnosis but I'm looking into it. I was just wondering, so I can get a better idea of where I might stand, about a few things and hoped the people here could help me out.

 

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• I'm not very forthcoming with things; sometimes I just don't want to talk but sometimes it's because I don't know if I should speak and say what it is I have to say.
  
• I can get obsessed with a song and play it hundreds off times in the space of a few days
  
• People will say things like "later" or "in a bit" and I'll expect it to be happening that same day... when sometimes they might be talking days or even weeks
  
• I am okay with talking to one or two people I know but I avoid social situations because of how panicky I get... Though I don't know if this might be something that's developed over the years because of an underlying issue (like Asperger syndrome, maybe...)
  
• Also, if it's someone I don't know, I'll speak really quietly (more so than usual) and maybe more monotonously
  
• Scraping metal against metal; whispering; things on my otherwise dry feet that shouldn't be, like water, really freak me out
  
• I can really annoy people by talking about the same thing over and over again (not a specialist subject, just something random like something that happened) and end up pissing them off, not realising until they explode
  
• If someone asks me the time, I'll tell them to the minute rather than rounding to the nearest five or ten
  
• If I am listening to music and walking, I match my pace and breathing to the tempo
  
• I verbalise my thoughts, almost like a conversation with myself -- but only when I'm alone
  

 

There are other things, but most of them I've already read on forums and stuff. This is the stuff that I'm not sure is everyone or just me. Also, was wondering about some people's stims and how an adult diagnosis is made in the UK on the NHS.

 

Thanks for anyone who does reply; I know this is probably very long and I'm probably violating a rule somewhere too...

[coolblue]

Hi AMs

 

Here is a link to a site listing the symptoms of Asperger Syndrome.

 

http://www.autreat.com/dsm4-aspergers.html

 

Just wanted to mention that we don't know whether Asperger syndrome is an 'underlying condition' or not. Like most autism spectrum disorders AS is defined only by its symptoms; the symptoms are what the 'syndrome' is. It might be the case that all people diagnosed with AS do have the same underlying disorder, but we don't know that. It's a bit like people having a temperature and a headache and a sore throat. A lot of diseases can cause those three symptoms - it doesn't mean people with those symptoms all have the same illness.

 

Whether you would get a diagnosis of AS or not would depend on the clinical judgement of the person making the diagnosis. They would compare your behavioural characteristics with those of other people with a diagnosis and possibly do a diagnostic test. If it was a close enough match, you'd get a diagnosis.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

cb

[AMs]

Hi AMs

 

Here is a link to a site listing the symptoms of Asperger Syndrome.

 

http://www.autreat.com/dsm4-aspergers.html

 

Just wanted to mention that we don't know whether Asperger syndrome is an 'underlying condition' or not. Like most autism spectrum disorders AS is defined only by its symptoms; the symptoms are what the 'syndrome' is. It might be the case that all people diagnosed with AS do have the same underlying disorder, but we don't know that. It's a bit like people having a temperature and a headache and a sore throat. A lot of diseases can cause those three symptoms - it doesn't mean people with those symptoms all have the same illness.

 

Whether you would get a diagnosis of AS or not would depend on the clinical judgement of the person making the diagnosis. They would compare your behavioural characteristics with those of other people with a diagnosis and possibly do a diagnostic test. If it was a close enough match, you'd get a diagnosis.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

cb

 

Thank you for the reply... I already know the DSM diagnostic criteria though, and I know it doesn't cover everything. I was hoping for other people to perhaps tell me if the things I experience and have noticed aren't quite normal are normal for people with Asperger syndrome. Textbooks and Internet resources only go so far. And more details about the assessment process please!

[Lilypad]

Hi I can relate to alot of what you've said but i'm not sure if it is normal or not. Only because I haven't been diagnosed either...I am too focused on my son's problems at the moment to worry about myself. (He is waiting for an ASD assessment)

I found this website and a page that explains what signs you might have and how to go about getting a diagnosis.

Hope it helps.

http://www.autism.org.uk/About-autism/All-about-diagnosis/Diagnosis-the-process-for-adults.aspx

sorry not sure how to link.

[coolblue]

Thank you for the reply... I already know the DSM diagnostic criteria though, and I know it doesn't cover everything. I was hoping for other people to perhaps tell me if the things I experience and have noticed aren't quite normal are normal for people with Asperger syndrome. Textbooks and Internet resources only go so far. And more details about the assessment process please!

 

 

I understand what you're saying. Just that there isn't an 'everything', nor is there a 'quite normal' for people with AS. That's why a diagnosis requires an exercise of judgement.

 

cb

[AMs]

I understand what you're saying. Just that there isn't an 'everything', nor is there a 'quite normal' for people with AS. That's why a diagnosis requires an exercise of judgement.

 

cb

 

I already know this. That's why I came here I know the forum isn't a replacement for a professional -- which I will hopefully be seeing soon anyway -- but was just hoping for a general idea. The only reason I'm even pursuing diagnosis now is because of how whatever is wrong with me (if anything) could impact my future career.

[Tally]

Hello, and welcome to the forum

 

There are a lot of things in your opening post that do point to Asperger's. I think it's a really good idea to approach your GP and see if you can get assessed. Even if it's not Asperger's, a diagnosis would be helpful to you to understand the cause of your difficulties and might lead to support.

 

It can be complicated because so many Asperger traits can be put down to mental health issues. It sounds like you genuinely have developed some social anxiety. So it would be good if you can mention some issues that have been lifelong as well as the more recent social anxiety, so that you can show that this is more than a mental health issue. Do you have parents, relatives or school reports that may provide evidence of lifelong social difficulties?

[AMs]

Hello, and welcome to the forum

 

There are a lot of things in your opening post that do point to Asperger's. I think it's a really good idea to approach your GP and see if you can get assessed. Even if it's not Asperger's, a diagnosis would be helpful to you to understand the cause of your difficulties and might lead to support.

 

It can be complicated because so many Asperger traits can be put down to mental health issues. It sounds like you genuinely have developed some social anxiety. So it would be good if you can mention some issues that have been lifelong as well as the more recent social anxiety, so that you can show that this is more than a mental health issue. Do you have parents, relatives or school reports that may provide evidence of lifelong social difficulties?

 

Actually, it was my school who started all of this in the first place by suggesting (read: insisting) that I had Asperger syndrome. Unfortunately, I was too self-aware for my own good and out-right refused for a whole variety of reasons, including not wanting to give them the satisfaction. But now I'm a medical student and I'm starting to realise that, firstly, a diagnosis might not be a bad thing; and secondly, that something is contributing to me not doing as well as I should be. I've genuine reason to believe that it could be Asperger syndrome, or at least something similar to it.