Anyone here diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder?

Hello, most of you probably don't know me, but some of you may remember me. I used to be a very frequent poster to this board. Tonight is my first time being here in a long time.

Well, I was just wondering, is anyone here diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in conjunction with social anxiety, AvPD, etc? My psychiatrist and therapist believe I have an ASD and I have a diagnostic assessment set up with a psychologist who tests adults and children alike for August 19th.

My problems started pretty much at birth and my mom noticed I was very withdrawn as a toddler. I was always afraid of being around people because I didn't know what to say or how to act around them. The problems relating to people and being around people just got worse as I got older. Luckily, I'm doing much better now because of a miracle medication.

But I was just wondering if anyone else has an ASD, and if they think their problems are related. I know mine are.

I was diagnosed by a clinical psychologist as having Asperger syndrome, but several psychiatrists have told me firmly that I do *not* have it. I have also been diagnosed as schizoid, while at least one psychiatrist told me emphatically that I am *not* schizoid. And the list goes on. Anyway, what is the miracle drug?

Earthcircle said:

I was diagnosed by a clinical psychologist as having Asperger syndrome, but several psychiatrists have told me firmly that I do *not* have it. I have also been diagnosed as schizoid, while at least one psychiatrist told me emphatically that I am *not* schizoid. And the list goes on. Anyway, what is the miracle drug?

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For me, it has been Abilify. It has helped my anxiety, sensory issues, depression, agoraphobia.... everything

I think most ignorant people who spend time around someone with SA wrongly assume they must have autism. It really annoys me.

lyricalliaisons said:

For me, it has been Abilify. It has helped my anxiety, sensory issues, depression, agoraphobia.... everything

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A neuroleptic? When I was diagnosed as schizophrenic, I was placed on a neuroleptic, and it was awful. This is a long story, and some people on the web call me a liar when I start to go into it. But here it is: when I was a teenager, I was diagnosed as schizophrenic despite having no symptoms. (None. Zero. Nada.) I was tricked into taking a neuroleptic which relieved nothing and made my life much worse. So a neuroleptic actually helps you? I resent being tricked into taking it.

Earthcircle said:

A neuroleptic? When I was diagnosed as schizophrenic, I was placed on a neuroleptic, and it was awful. This is a long story, and some people on the web call me a liar when I start to go into it. But here it is: when I was a teenager, I was diagnosed as schizophrenic despite having no symptoms. (None. Zero. Nada.) I was tricked into taking a neuroleptic which relieved nothing and made my life much worse. So a neuroleptic actually helps you? I resent being tricked into taking it.

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It's an atypical antipsychotic... Maybe it's also a neuroleptic as well, I don't know. I thought it was an anti depressant when I was put on it and didn't find out it was an antipsychotic until a couple months after I started taking it and by then I was doing so much better, I didn't care what it was called.

jimmy75 said:

I think most ignorant people who spend time around someone with SA wrongly assume they must have autism. It really annoys me.

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No one other than therapists and my psychiatrist have ever assumed I have an ASD and that's because they're professionals and recognized the signs of it in me.

jimmy75 said:

I think most ignorant people who spend time around someone with SA wrongly assume they must have autism. It really annoys me.

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I wonder this from time to time. Not specifically whether people are thinking I have autism, but what they think explains my, er, quietness. I know most probably don't notice/care, but to those who do I wonder what conclusions they draw, if any.

Autism, learning disability, ADHD, OCD, schizoid... I think there was more. I honestly have no idea wether this is true or BS. I've gotten so many diagnosis it's insane. I'm just focusing on trying to feel better.

Hellhound said:

I'm just focusing on trying to feel better.

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That's good

I haven't been officially diagnosed, but chances are I have Asperger's as well. Two psychologists have told me so far and my dad was diagnosed officially ten years ago.

The main difference between aspies and people with social phobia - according to me- is that aspies were born with their social difficulties, whereas people with social phobia only started to have it at a certain point in their lives.

Also, I was described Abilify as well some time ago. Its only effects were me being incredibly tired all day and a feeling of restlessness in my legs (which, in its turn caused me to not sleep at night).

I've never been formally diagnosed, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if it turns out I have Aspergers. It would explain why people treat me like I'm slow.

I do not know if I have an autistic spectrum or not, but I have to say the thought has crossed my mind and made me wonder. I have problems with my cognition, and without medication do not sense humor which a a sensory perception. I would be in a room with a bunch of a friends and everyone would be laughing at a particular thing that was said by one of the people and I would be the only one forcing myself to laugh unwillingly. Whether it wounded like fake laughter, I don't know, but it wouldn't be natural laughter.

Some things about my cognition that makes me think I may be autistic to some degree is my memory (my mental processor of information) and concentration. I also have a learning disability that has impaired me from being able to get my High school diploma, though people who see me online think that I am quite clever, intelligent, etc. Most autistic people are actually quite intelligent with cognitional impairments.

I know this one guy that has Aspergers and it shows on his face physically. Some people have a look that immediately tells people who come in contact with them that they are autistic. I do not have the "look" of an autistic person, nor do I communicate like an autistic person, but the way I perceive, sense, and process is all very much autistic. If that makes sense.

Also I am very attracted to facial expressions which is also an autistic trait, and sometimes I will just stare at someone and smile for longer than would would normally be considered normal. XD I'm pretty sure I have autism... but unless someone got to know me well enough they would never think at first that I was.

I self-diagnosed myself as Asperger's (or just short of it), but definately an ASD of some level.

I'm Not There said:

The main difference between aspies and people with social phobia - according to me- is that aspies were born with their social difficulties, whereas people with social phobia only started to have it at a certain point in their lives

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Not sure where that leaves me, as i was born with ASD/aspergers, yet i also have seemingly developed SA/SP.

I view my Avoidance (AvPD) caused by: lack of interest in people (schizoid), difficulty with people (aspergers), low interest in places/things/activities (dysthymia; =inability to enjoy), fear of people (SA/SP; esp fear of ridicule).

I have autism and have been battling it my whole life. I never understood social protocols or anything like that. When I was a kid I was always a loner and cried when someone hurt me. Kids picked on me all the way to grade 12, I would cry everyday not to go to school. My teachers wanted to hold me back every grade because I couldn't keep up with the classes. I didn't get diagnosed till I was 17 so for 17 years I could not understand why I was so different. I wish I was diagnosed earlier then I was to get help because by the time I got help the teachers refused to help. Now I am 18 going on 19 and trying to control my autism. I joined an autism foundation that helps me learn skills such as social and chores or cooking. I just completed my first year of college and my average was 90. I am building my life that I have always wanted and I am finally taking control, and it feels great.

Earthcircle said:

A neuroleptic? When I was diagnosed as schizophrenic, I was placed on a neuroleptic, and it was awful. This is a long story, and some people on the web call me a liar when I start to go into it. But here it is: when I was a teenager, I was diagnosed as schizophrenic despite having no symptoms. (None. Zero. Nada.) I was tricked into taking a neuroleptic which relieved nothing and made my life much worse. So a neuroleptic actually helps you? I resent being tricked into taking it.

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The psychologist who lied to the psychiatrist thus getting me (mis)diagnosed as schizophrenic also told me that I was (am?) like Seligman's dogs. In other words, I am helpless. I think he was prepping me for institutionalization. In other words, he wanted to deprive me of my liberty. I hate him. It makes me angry that he is the director of a student counseling center, and I wince whenever I hear a student talk about going to a counseling center. I hope they're safe. As for Seligman's dogs, see this: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/h...ule=Recommendation&src=rechp&WT.nav=RecEngine