Should I see a doctor?

[MyBrainHurts]

Ive been doing alot of research since people started to tell me that there is something wrong with me. And what I have found is this:

High-functioning autism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article pretty much describes me in almost every way.

-Autistic people are prone to commit social faux pas because of an inability to predict others' reactions.

I sometime freeze for a short time because I have this problem alot and have a delayed response. And sometimes I dont even realize that my response was delayed.

-They may also neglect social niceties like knocking or returning a greeting.

Anyone who knows me knows I do this, I dont mean to. But sometimes I dont know which greeting to use so I say nothing at all. Or I just dont want to speak at the time.

-Similarly, they may be overly trusting or paranoid of strangers.

People tell me that I am overly trusing and generous with people I meet. But I just thought that It is good to give people the benefit of doubt. I dont know..

-It may be best summed up as an inability to understand/perceive the intent or emotional wants and needs of others around them.

This is completely true, unless someone tells me what they want it is very difficult for me to understand what they want.. although I try to make guesses based opon information I know at the time. And I have a hard time communicating my own emotions.

-They may appear somewhat removed or dissociated or dreamy at times, especially when in sensory overload or from a perception of extreme social pressure.

I do this alot and it makes people mad because they think im not listening too them. I dont do it on purpose though alot of the time I will be writing a program or thinking about something and ill be "in the zone", I think thats a good way to describe it.

-They may make little eye contact, leading others to conclude that they are shy, uninterested or evasive.

I used to be like this 100% but over time have practiced at looking people in the eyes, its not that difficult actually.

-Unlike those with low-functioning autism, people with high-functioning autism are not mentally retarded; persons with high-functioning autism have an IQ at the average to above-average range.

my IQ is above average at 126 from my latest test when i was 16.

-Although they may have an adequate vocabulary, they may have a delay in communicating events and use less emotional content in their speech.

yup thats me...

-They may also appear not to notice non-verbal cues from others such as when others have become bored with the topic of conversation they appear oblivious and continue.

THIS IS ONE OF MY MAJOR PROBLEMS, that people talk about me when I leave the room but dont say anything to my face so.. for a long time I never realized how bad it was.

-As with people elsewhere on the autistic spectrum, people with high-functioning autism generally prefer routine and order, and this usually begins in early childhood.

Yes, I love a schedule over the unexpected which sometimes can cause axiety.

-Young, intelligent HFA people usually do best by seeking out the company of their intellectual peers or by joining hobby groups, while avoiding their age-group peers

This was me 100% growing up.

-They do not lack empathy[citation needed] (although they may have difficulty expressing it), and can thus enjoy films and stories with emotional content. Some may gain the bulk of their insight into why people behave the way they do through watching movies that provide a forceful and musically-cued "capsule lesson" in human emotions (e.g. melodramas).

I can actually feel emotion from sad movies and yes I cry.. I experience a state of "suspension of disbelief" that is more powerful than almost every other person I have met.

-hey are usually intelligent, gifted, honest, hard workers when interested in a task and excellent problem solvers. People with HFA are thought to become excellent scientists and engineers or enter other professions where painstaking, methodical analysis is required.

I write Software.....




Also, I have had insomnia ever since I can remember and unless I am very tired when I goto sleep I just lay there for hours and hours. And then i found this:Insomnia is a frequent finding in adults with Asperger syndrome

and then there is this:


Conclusion: if I dont have HFA what is wrong with me, how can I not have it?

[JimOfferman]

Maybe you are maybe you're not a high-functioning autistic. If you are certain of your own diagnosis, I would definitely go see a doctor to have it verified.

But beware, these kinds of references tend to awaken the hypochondriac in all of us.

Take care.

[MyBrainHurts]

Maybe you are maybe you're not a high-functioning autistic. If you are certain of your own diagnosis, I would definitely go see a doctor to have it verified.

But beware, these kinds of references tend to awaken the hypochondriac in all of us.

Take care.

So if isnt this, then i'm just an idiot that didnt develop proper communication and social interaction skills as a child? and my insomnia is still unexplained which is what I was trying to learn about in the first place.

I'm not a hypochondriac by any means, im analytical. And when I see such a vast match of "Social aspects,Associated difficulties,Benefits" and the fact that I have had insomnia which is associated with this "disorder" my whole life just makes me wonder.

Where would I go exactly to get this verified to be true or not true, a psychologist?

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by MyBrainHurts

So if isnt this, then i'm just an idiot...

Look, if you insist on being degrading to yourself fine - but don't expect my help with that.

Where would I go exactly to get this verified to be true or not true, a psychologist?

Yes, a psychologist would be a good start.

[Rose of Cairo]

MyBrainHurts, my AQ is 45 and many of the points above also apply to me. And I had insomnia for 20 years, since I was a little child.

I'm not saying that you don't have aspergers or HFA, maybe you have. (and maybe I have too ) But my point is: what would it mean to you to know what you exactly have? I also suspected myself of having it, went to a few physicians and psychologists and was diagnosed with many things. Did that help me? No.

Why don't you just learn to be who you are and live with all of your characteristics in a way you like? If you feel you lack social skills, learn it. What would a diagnosis change? You still would have to learn it. Or do you think you could say "well, I have autism, so I can't socialize anyway, let's give up!"?

I get the impression that your search for a diagnosis is based on a feeling that you're not ok like you are. If you don't like how you are, create a new you that would be like you want to be

Btw, I eventually found out the reasons for my insomnia. It was meat consumption. Yes, really, it prevented me from sleeping. You should have a precise look at your nutrition if you have a sleep problem. What do you eat? Do you move enough?

[Mags]

Originally Posted by MyBrainHurts

I write Software.....

Ah, there you go then...

I know quite a few software engineers/developers, and they're always commenting on their social ineptitude. They're an interesting bunch and I love them dearly

I don't know whether this generalises to all in the software profession, but it certainly holds true for most of those that I've met. I wouldn't label them all with HFA or anything like that, but who knows I suppose?!

I'm not sure where you're from, but if you can get hold of a series called "The IT Crowd" from the UK, please do - it's hilarious, especially since most of it rings true

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by Mags

I know quite a few software engineers/developers, and they're always commenting on their social ineptitude

This is such a tired old cliche! And it is definitely not true for the profession at large. Just look at Steve whom, if I may remind you, was a professional (game) software developer for many years.

Of all the software engineers I know (and I know quite a few, simply because I work in the field), not ONE is socially inept! They all have healthy social lives with lots friends and great families.

[Mags]

Hehe, it's an interesting one, Jim

Yes, I was generalising, without wanting to get into the very complex complexities of these guys, mainly because I couldn't resist the "I write software..." comment ... I'm working with a smallish sample (about 30 guys), so I'm sure there are exceptions! The software guys I know, however, label themselves as socially inept, and when I watch a show like "The IT Crowd" which plays on many of the stereotypes, I can see in them in the guys that I know (some very strongly, others only to a small degree). However, despite their self-labelling, they are quite social and "normal", and yes, many of them are married or in long-term relationships (interesting, many of them involved with women who are in "people" professions, like human resources or psychology or teaching). However, these guys are definitely different animals compared to those who are in marketing or sales for example, and they do have some delightful quirks that I have yet to find in other professional categories

Do cliches and stereotypes arise for a reason...?!

[DrMartinRussell]

Originally Posted by MyBrainHurts

Conclusion: if I dont have HFA what is wrong with me, how can I not have it?

Diagnosis: HPV-NYS ie Human Personality Variation - Not-Yet-Specified.

What are you planning to do with a diagnosis of Aspergers?