Asperger's Syndrome self diagnosis?
I'm 26 and I've found that quite a few of the symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome apply to me, but my psychologist says the inability to read body language, the uncomfortableness with eye contact (I try though), the taking things literally, the obsession with odd topics and hobbes only to usually drop them after a few months the hard time understanding common behaviors unless having them literally explained to me (like how far to stand from one one when talking).... Sorry, I'm a little frustrated.
Anyway, he says that's all just my bipolar disorder. But nothing I read on that sounds like bipolar. I'm already on SSI for my bipolar and fibromyalgia, so short of feeling vindicated nothing would come of an official diagnosis. How accepting is the Asperger's community to self diagnosis? I've always felt 'wrong' and to finally understand WHY... I'd just like to know if I'd be turned away without going through the proper channels if I tried to go to support group meetings. I want to at least learn how to mimic normal behavior patterns. Would it be worth the cost to get a second opinion or see neurologist?
Public Comments
1. First off you should find a new doctor, they Sound like they have no idea what they are talking about. The symptoms you stated are not signs of Aspergers or Bipolar Disorder, and you should never self diagnose. You shouldn't worry so much you symptoms are minuscule to people who actually have thoughts conditions. Maybe you should do some more research, and try not to focus on what may be wrong with you everyone has problems though that doesn't mean we have a disorder.2. I think that in your case there is a good reason to seek a second opinion. The signs you listed are very common for Asperger's syndrome and I'm not sure how they can be explained by bipolar disorder and why your psychologist was so quick to rule Asperger's syndrome out without doing a real evaluation of it. There is the possibility that you have either been misdiagnosed (and may therefore not be getting the right treatment) or that you may have both Asperger's and bipolar. I think it would be best to consult someone else for a second opinion, just to make sure.
Regarding how accepting the Asperger's community is of self diagnosis, that varies a lot. People who really have a lot of the signs and let it be known that they are self diagnosed are usually accepted in online communities (and they are common there), but sometimes frowned upon if they use support systems like local support groups etc. without getting a real diagnosis first. People who go about telling everyone they have Asperger's syndrome when they are self diagnosed and have few signs are usually disliked, because so many of them are giving people wrong ideas about Asperger's syndrome and making things harder for people who really have it. Self diagnosed people who clearly don't have it, but think they do because once when they were six they did something that sounds like a vague version of some symptom of Asperger's... they are probably the most annoying and least accepted of all.
If you want to use support resources then it is probably best to get a professional diagnosis first, both to make sure you're getting the right help and to avoid problems with other people feeling you don't have the right to use those resources.
I know what it's like to feel like there is something wrong or strange, but can't quite put your finger on what it is. I wasn't diagnosed until I was in my twenties, but I always knew there was something different about me and it was hard to figure out what it was. Just knowing for sure what you're dealing with can be very helpful.
