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How To Rule Out Asperger's Syndrome?
Question: When I did research on Asperger's syndrome, a lot of things seemed to match with me. I need more information/clarification if I could have it or not.What I noticed is that I tend to talk about myself, especially when I am anxious, or stressed out. More anxious and/or stressed out I get, me talking about myself it get worse. It takes me longer to learn a skill than others (like learning how to ride a bike, it took me years to learn it, when others would learn it in weeks ), but once I learn it I know how to do it. I tend to drop things. I have hard time talking to people, making friends, in a lot of situation I don't know what to say.
I am very socially awkward, I have no friends (and I have hard time making friends). People tend to underestimate me. I am an LPN and have AAS in Health Information Technology/Medical Records, but still I have hard time finding jobs. I do get called for interviews, but I don't hear anything back from them after the interview.
I don't know how to read body language. Also when someone jokes with me, I tend to take them seriously. When I know when person is joking, I don't know how to respond to that, so people would perceive as me taking it seriously.
Also, I don't learn from the past. I do have flashback. In a lot of situations, where I should speak up, I freeze up, not knowing what to say, or what is appropriate or not. However when situation happens where I freeze up, after some time I beat myself up and I ask myself question 'why I didn't say anything' or 'why I didn't say this or that'. and I would think about that situation for a week or two. Sometimes I would have flashback to those months or years after it happened.
I don't know how to read body language. once I remember I said something to someone, and this person said something along the lines ' I have a lot of things to do, so I don't have time to talk', and I ended up talking to that person for about 5-10 minutes after she said that. When I talk to a person, and I am standing, this person motions for me to sit down, I would miss it. Or in another situation, person tries to give me something, I don't see it, and wouldn't extend hand to take it.
In the past I went to psychologist and psychiatrist, and was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. I was put on medication twice, but since I am against medication, I stopped taking them after about a month or so.
I am very socially awkward, I have no friends (and I have hard time making friends). People tend to underestimate me. I am an LPN and have AAS in Health Information Technology/Medical Records, but still I have hard time finding jobs. I do get called for interviews, but I don't hear anything back from them after the interview.
I don't know how to read body language. Also when someone jokes with me, I tend to take them seriously. When I know when person is joking, I don't know how to respond to that, so people would perceive as me taking it seriously.
Also, I don't learn from the past. I do have flashback. In a lot of situations, where I should speak up, I freeze up, not knowing what to say, or what is appropriate or not. However when situation happens where I freeze up, after some time I beat myself up and I ask myself question 'why I didn't say anything' or 'why I didn't say this or that'. and I would think about that situation for a week or two. Sometimes I would have flashback to those months or years after it happened.
I don't know how to read body language. once I remember I said something to someone, and this person said something along the lines ' I have a lot of things to do, so I don't have time to talk', and I ended up talking to that person for about 5-10 minutes after she said that. When I talk to a person, and I am standing, this person motions for me to sit down, I would miss it. Or in another situation, person tries to give me something, I don't see it, and wouldn't extend hand to take it.
In the past I went to psychologist and psychiatrist, and was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. I was put on medication twice, but since I am against medication, I stopped taking them after about a month or so.
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
Asperger's is no longer a diagnosis used in psychiatry -- instead, it has been subsumed into autism spectrum disorder.
Your description of your situation does not sound like autism -- it sounds more consistent with social anxiety. More importantly, there are no treatments for autism, but there are two good treatments for anxiety: medication (an SSRI such as Lexapro or Zoloft) and weekly psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT).
If you are against medication, CBT would be right for you. I'd recommend this.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
Asperger's is no longer a diagnosis used in psychiatry -- instead, it has been subsumed into autism spectrum disorder.
Your description of your situation does not sound like autism -- it sounds more consistent with social anxiety. More importantly, there are no treatments for autism, but there are two good treatments for anxiety: medication (an SSRI such as Lexapro or Zoloft) and weekly psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT).
If you are against medication, CBT would be right for you. I'd recommend this.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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