Ive not written on this wall in a while. I have schizophrenia,possibly FASD, anorexia and bulimia, chronic migraines, PTSD and grief issues. I was at a mental hospital for a while back in January and my doctor there told me I have Aspergers. I dont know why or how. He told me that because Im socially awkward meaning that I dont do well with people, I repeat things, I rock back and forth that I have Aspergers. I was wondering if young adults(Im 18) can be diagnosed with AS if noone else has told me I have it. Ive been to schizophrenia doctors, head doctors, and therapists but, Ive never been to an autism/AS clinic. I live in Washington state and was wondering if I could have it. Ive been looking up online about AS and it does seem like I do. But, I hate having things wrong with me and how will I be able to cope with having another diagnosis?? Are there meds for AS? Any thoughts would be great.....
Hi, Sasha. Asperger's is an autistic spectrum disorder that has been rediscovered only within the last couple decades. There's still some discussion in the mental health community about how to quantify it and exactly what causes it. If you have it, it's something you've had all of your life. The dx is the only new thing. There are meds to manage the more severe symptoms but there is no cure.
You can read a lot more about it at NAMI's web site:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Helpline1&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=65984
My brother has Aspergers, he was not diagnosed until he was 18 years old....he has a very difficult childhood and it was not easy for him to make friend as following socail cues and being able to connect with people is difficult. My brother is very strong though...he functions without medication and has lived indepentanly since he was 19....there are bad bouts for sure but as a family we try to work through them! With this he also suffers from sever socail anxiety and paranoia...i am wondering if some of your "lables" are effect of this disorder. It can be very hard to function when all you want to do is connect with the world.
I wish you all the best
Take care if yourself.....
That information is helpful. I was diagnosed when I went to a psych. hospital to get some support and to stay at until I felt safe. That was right after I turned 18. I also have schizophrenia and PTSD. Do you know if Aspergers people can have schizophrenia as well? Do those go together? Its OK if you dont know but was just wondering. I do have anxiety in social situations and dont make friends very well. I actually dont keep friends for more than 2 weeks, the longest ever was 2 months. Can that be common in Aspergers people? I know I have a lot of questions but, Im dont have alot of information on Aspergers.
Sasha, read more up on Aspergers. You may end up consolidating all your diagnosis's into one. Aspergers has a lot of similar characteristics as many mental health diagnosis's. It's more physical then mental. You can have Schizophrenia with anything.I don't know much about Schizophrenia, or your symptoms matching it, but you may want a reevaluation with all your diagnosis's since this has come up. There's no medications for Aspergers, but there is for mental health issues if you actually have some with it. PDSDs, unless you have suffered severe mental trauma, I would question that too.
I disagree, AS is more mental then physical. You cannot tell a person has AS by looking at them. It is something a lot of people don't get diagnosed with early on. My BF is 33 and just got diagnosed.
Gina, while Autism Spectrum Disorders can have a broad symptomology the symptoms are usually not physical in nature. It is consider a neurological disorder, and primarily this effects thinking, processing, and learning. There are diagnoses that are very similar in nature, also referred to as differential diagnoses, for example Autism and Fragile X syndrome. However from the multiple diagnoses that Sasha listed Aspergers, or Autism, has little to do with the others.
Sasha, before worrying about adding a new diagnosis to that list it is important to get evaluated by a Psychologist who can do the appropriate testing to deem that what you are experiencing is in fact Asperger's. Since the DSM 5 came out, Asperger's Disorder is now covered under the umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorders. There is no longer a diagnosis of Aspergers nor is there one of Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
Having this diagnosis may answer some of your questions about repetitive behaviors and social interactions, but ultimately you are you regardless of any diagnosis. If there are habits you wish to change, or skills you want to develop then I think that is definitely something you are able to do. However, if you are able to live a meaningful and happy life with the symptoms that accompany Autism Spectrum Disorders, then brush off what the doctor said and own your individuality.
There are medications that can help relieve some of the symptoms of ASD. These medications often help with anxiety and repetitive behaviors. One hormone that has been on everyone's lips lately is Oxytocin (yes, the cuddle hormone. If you have not heard of this, please research it! It is an up and coming treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders and can help alleviate social anxiety as well as rigidity.
I hope this helps, it sounds like you have been through quite a bit already, and you are very young to have so many labels placed on you. If I can give you any advice I would say to be a resource and friend to others your age who are going through similar situations, own your differences and encourage others to do the same. XO.