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Are Lack Of Empathy And Restrictive Repetitive Behavior Symptoms Of Asperger's Syndrome?
Question: Hi,
I have had family members who have researched Asperger's syndrome on the Internet and thought I might have similar features. I have seen two psychiatrists, one who seemed to agree that I probably did have Asperger's. However, I don't quite understand how he could come to a diagnosis after a one-hour consultation based only on my history. Is it usual for psychiatrists to come to a diagnosis so quickly?
He has not written a report yet and I saw him a month ago but in the consultation he based the diagnosis on the following history given. I just wonder if that is enough to get a conclusion:
Hypochondriasis based on excessive worry on health and thinking it could always be something serious which is only relieved by adequate medical investigation but the feature suggesting Asperger's is my more detailed knowledge of medical issues, which exceeds most university graduates' level.
When I was a child, I was interested in cars but because I also wanted to remember the prices, acceleration and lengths of many models it suggests an interest different to other normal interests of children and much more detailed-orientated. Also, I was able to remember many of the details.
Excessive habits of uploading videos of aircraft and hotels on youtube. Not normally done by most people who are more interested in the destination not the aircraft cabins and interiors, eg. inflight entertainment, etc.
Excessive habits of writing hotel reviews, reviewing every hotel I have stayed in since about 7 years ago and almost feeling incomplete without writing a review of hotel stayed.
Avoidance or no need of much social contact. No desire for social interaction/marriage and not feeling it is a problem. Different from the diagnosis of pure social anxiety (although I have some of that as well) because it suggests that even without social anxiety, I still would not want to engage that much socially or have an urge to nest. This is what is suggestive of Asperger's. No real desire for more than limited social contact. When I was a child, I did not want to increase my circle of friends like most people, content with a group only of 4-5 friends, which is limited.
I suggested possible excessive verbosity as a trait consistent with Asperger's.
I would like to know if I should just accept the diagnosis because there was no testing and everything was just based on personal history. The psychiatrist was not a specialist in Asperger's or autism spectrum disorders.
Thankyou.
I have had family members who have researched Asperger's syndrome on the Internet and thought I might have similar features. I have seen two psychiatrists, one who seemed to agree that I probably did have Asperger's. However, I don't quite understand how he could come to a diagnosis after a one-hour consultation based only on my history. Is it usual for psychiatrists to come to a diagnosis so quickly?
He has not written a report yet and I saw him a month ago but in the consultation he based the diagnosis on the following history given. I just wonder if that is enough to get a conclusion:
Hypochondriasis based on excessive worry on health and thinking it could always be something serious which is only relieved by adequate medical investigation but the feature suggesting Asperger's is my more detailed knowledge of medical issues, which exceeds most university graduates' level.
When I was a child, I was interested in cars but because I also wanted to remember the prices, acceleration and lengths of many models it suggests an interest different to other normal interests of children and much more detailed-orientated. Also, I was able to remember many of the details.
Excessive habits of uploading videos of aircraft and hotels on youtube. Not normally done by most people who are more interested in the destination not the aircraft cabins and interiors, eg. inflight entertainment, etc.
Excessive habits of writing hotel reviews, reviewing every hotel I have stayed in since about 7 years ago and almost feeling incomplete without writing a review of hotel stayed.
Avoidance or no need of much social contact. No desire for social interaction/marriage and not feeling it is a problem. Different from the diagnosis of pure social anxiety (although I have some of that as well) because it suggests that even without social anxiety, I still would not want to engage that much socially or have an urge to nest. This is what is suggestive of Asperger's. No real desire for more than limited social contact. When I was a child, I did not want to increase my circle of friends like most people, content with a group only of 4-5 friends, which is limited.
I suggested possible excessive verbosity as a trait consistent with Asperger's.
I would like to know if I should just accept the diagnosis because there was no testing and everything was just based on personal history. The psychiatrist was not a specialist in Asperger's or autism spectrum disorders.
Thankyou.
Brief Answer:
More details of history is needed to make diagnosis of Asperger's
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I have read the history you have mentioned and I can understand your concern. On the basis of the clinical formulation you have mentioned, in my opinion these symptoms don't suggest Asperger's syndrome. In my opinion more detailed history is needed to make diagnosis. But at the same time I'd like to tell you that diagnosis of psychiatric disorders are made on basis of history and clinical examination only. There are no specific lab tests that can label an individual having some psychiatric illness. So there are no specific tests available for Asperger's and with an experienced psychiatrist one hour history and interview is sufficient to make diagnosis.
I'd like to give you a brief idea about Asperger's. Asperger's syndrome belongs to Autism Spectrum Disorders. In Asperger's poor social interaction including lack of empathy, restrictive repetitive behaviour etc cardinal features while language and cognitive functions are in normal limits.
In the history you have mentioned poor social interaction is there but there are no symptoms that suggest you have repetitive behaviour. Though likes for molecular details are there in Asperger's but knowledge of details of car doesn't make you having Aspergers.
Two clinical scales are used commonly to diagnose Asperger's. One is ADI or Autism Diagnostic Interview and other is ADOS or Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale. Both diagnostic interviews help in making proper diagnosis of Asperger's especially in young children.
In my opinion based upon the history you have mentioned, Asperger's cant be diagnosed. Still have more doubts please consult a psychiatrist for re-evaluation.
Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care.
Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
More details of history is needed to make diagnosis of Asperger's
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I have read the history you have mentioned and I can understand your concern. On the basis of the clinical formulation you have mentioned, in my opinion these symptoms don't suggest Asperger's syndrome. In my opinion more detailed history is needed to make diagnosis. But at the same time I'd like to tell you that diagnosis of psychiatric disorders are made on basis of history and clinical examination only. There are no specific lab tests that can label an individual having some psychiatric illness. So there are no specific tests available for Asperger's and with an experienced psychiatrist one hour history and interview is sufficient to make diagnosis.
I'd like to give you a brief idea about Asperger's. Asperger's syndrome belongs to Autism Spectrum Disorders. In Asperger's poor social interaction including lack of empathy, restrictive repetitive behaviour etc cardinal features while language and cognitive functions are in normal limits.
In the history you have mentioned poor social interaction is there but there are no symptoms that suggest you have repetitive behaviour. Though likes for molecular details are there in Asperger's but knowledge of details of car doesn't make you having Aspergers.
Two clinical scales are used commonly to diagnose Asperger's. One is ADI or Autism Diagnostic Interview and other is ADOS or Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale. Both diagnostic interviews help in making proper diagnosis of Asperger's especially in young children.
In my opinion based upon the history you have mentioned, Asperger's cant be diagnosed. Still have more doubts please consult a psychiatrist for re-evaluation.
Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care.
Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Thanks Dr. Bishnoi,
I understand your explanation of Asperger's and the fact that it can be diagnosed by clinical exam with patient history.
As mentioned, I did see another psychiatrist who specialises more in autism. He did not think I had Asperger's. However, in his report he mentioned that I probably was at the very mild end of the autism spectrum. Other conditions are mentioned. I have attached the report. I am not sure if there are any clear indications based on the history in the report to suggest the autism spectrum traits or whether it based more on clinical findings.
Would you agree with the treatment plan outlined, which includes medication or should there be any further evaluation. I am not sure at this stage because he mentioned specifically that he didn't think I had Asperger's but then have traits of autism spectrum disorder. The other psychiatrist thought that I did have Asperger's.
Thankyou,
Regards.
I understand your explanation of Asperger's and the fact that it can be diagnosed by clinical exam with patient history.
As mentioned, I did see another psychiatrist who specialises more in autism. He did not think I had Asperger's. However, in his report he mentioned that I probably was at the very mild end of the autism spectrum. Other conditions are mentioned. I have attached the report. I am not sure if there are any clear indications based on the history in the report to suggest the autism spectrum traits or whether it based more on clinical findings.
Would you agree with the treatment plan outlined, which includes medication or should there be any further evaluation. I am not sure at this stage because he mentioned specifically that he didn't think I had Asperger's but then have traits of autism spectrum disorder. The other psychiatrist thought that I did have Asperger's.
Thankyou,
Regards.
Brief Answer:
The symptoms suggest some anxiety spectrum disorder rather than Autism
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up and uploading the formulation by other psychiatrist.
I have read the both pages and after reading the history in detail I can say with certainty that you don't have any autistic spectrum disorders or Asperger's. You are seeking evaluation by self and are able to manage your business without any difficulty. You are running a channel on youtube and have followers also and this means that you want to express yourself and you are not at all socially withdrawn.
In both pages I failed to find any symptom that can label that you have repetitive behaviours so over all there are no significant symptoms that can be used to make diagnosis of Asperger's. Please remain relaxed you don't have autism spectrum disorder.
Poor social interaction, poor personal relationships, worries that people will judge you odd, hypochondrical ideas, health anxiety, OC symptoms etc all put your symptoms to some anxiety spectrum disorder rather than Autism spectrum.
In my opinion you should start taking Zoloft as you have been advises because the drug will help in reducing anxiety. Be assured that you don't have Autism and don't visit multiple doctors for evaluations. Try to ignore any health symptom that can cause anxiety.
Thanks, I hope this helps you. Still have more doubts please ask again.
Take care
The symptoms suggest some anxiety spectrum disorder rather than Autism
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up and uploading the formulation by other psychiatrist.
I have read the both pages and after reading the history in detail I can say with certainty that you don't have any autistic spectrum disorders or Asperger's. You are seeking evaluation by self and are able to manage your business without any difficulty. You are running a channel on youtube and have followers also and this means that you want to express yourself and you are not at all socially withdrawn.
In both pages I failed to find any symptom that can label that you have repetitive behaviours so over all there are no significant symptoms that can be used to make diagnosis of Asperger's. Please remain relaxed you don't have autism spectrum disorder.
Poor social interaction, poor personal relationships, worries that people will judge you odd, hypochondrical ideas, health anxiety, OC symptoms etc all put your symptoms to some anxiety spectrum disorder rather than Autism spectrum.
In my opinion you should start taking Zoloft as you have been advises because the drug will help in reducing anxiety. Be assured that you don't have Autism and don't visit multiple doctors for evaluations. Try to ignore any health symptom that can cause anxiety.
Thanks, I hope this helps you. Still have more doubts please ask again.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Dr. Bishnoi,
I understand that you consider the history to show anxiety and not autism spectrum disorder. I have received the report today from the other psychiatrist and have attached.
It is difficult for me to decide how to go forward with any treatment if needed because of the two different opinions I have received. I am not sure the criteria mentioned in this report are enough to diagnose autism/Asperger's and I still have concerns that a diagnosis can be arrived at so quickly. As the GP and psychologist can only formulate plans based on the reports of the psychiatrists, I will see what they say. In your opinion, should I just ignore this latest report and base any action on the first report?
I understand that you consider the history to show anxiety and not autism spectrum disorder. I have received the report today from the other psychiatrist and have attached.
It is difficult for me to decide how to go forward with any treatment if needed because of the two different opinions I have received. I am not sure the criteria mentioned in this report are enough to diagnose autism/Asperger's and I still have concerns that a diagnosis can be arrived at so quickly. As the GP and psychologist can only formulate plans based on the reports of the psychiatrists, I will see what they say. In your opinion, should I just ignore this latest report and base any action on the first report?
Brief Answer:
I don't think you have Asperger's or Autism Spectrum Disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up
I have read the second report also and I will stick to my last answer only. I don't think you have any issues related to Autism spectrum disorders. Minor traits can occur in any individual but that doesn't mean that we use them in making diagnosis.
You have symptoms that qualify more towards Anxiety spectrum disorder and more towards hypochondrical ideation. Even you are anxious about Asperger's and this is also occurring due to health anxiety and fear of Autism spectrum disorder. This fear is also probably due to anxiety.
Please try to understand, you don't have Asperger's and dont remain worried for that. In my opinion you should ignore the report and remain relaxed.
Thanks. Still have more doubts please ask again. Take care
I don't think you have Asperger's or Autism Spectrum Disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up
I have read the second report also and I will stick to my last answer only. I don't think you have any issues related to Autism spectrum disorders. Minor traits can occur in any individual but that doesn't mean that we use them in making diagnosis.
You have symptoms that qualify more towards Anxiety spectrum disorder and more towards hypochondrical ideation. Even you are anxious about Asperger's and this is also occurring due to health anxiety and fear of Autism spectrum disorder. This fear is also probably due to anxiety.
Please try to understand, you don't have Asperger's and dont remain worried for that. In my opinion you should ignore the report and remain relaxed.
Thanks. Still have more doubts please ask again. Take care
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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