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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by PaulB on September 26, 2001, at 7:06:22
Hello
Recently a condition has been brought to my attention by some of the people I know as a possible 'split' diagnosis for me. I found it difficult when the people I knew mentioned it first because it seems there are so many possibilties in terms of diagnosis of mental health or behavioural problems now that it exhausts me sometimes, particularly when conditions overlap. Yet reading about it and talking to people who work with other people who have Asperger's has enthralled me. I have just started to read a book that has been sitting on my shelf for a few months just waing to be picked up called 'Asperger's Syndrome' by Tony Attwood. From what I have heard it seems an excellent introduction to the world of Asperger's and look forward to posting a response if it is a good read. Some of the things I feel I see in myself when I read about Asperer's Syndrome is the inability to read other peoples body language and social cues.
PaulB
Posted by Krazy Kat on September 27, 2001, at 13:20:46
In reply to Asperger's Syndrome, posted by PaulB on September 26, 2001, at 7:06:22
> Paul:
I'd be interested if you want to share more because my husband has mentioned he thinks it's something he has.
Thanks.
- K.
Posted by PaulB on September 28, 2001, at 12:29:14
In reply to Re: Asperger's Syndrome » PaulB, posted by Krazy Kat on September 27, 2001, at 13:20:46
> > Paul:
>
> I'd be interested if you want to share more because my husband has mentioned he thinks it's something he has.
>
> Thanks.
>
> - K.Hi
Thankyou for your response. Before I posted this message I had a browse through the archives and saw Asperger's is not something the archives of Dr-Bob's cannot help with. There are some loose topics on the subject.From what I have learnt so far persons with Aspergers often have difficulty 'relating ' to other people and find it difficult to adopt a manner or even be aware of how to behave around other people in an appropriate way. The inability for Asperger's persons to behave appropriately in social contexts can often manifest itself as lacking subtlety in their expression, lack of empathy to others, lack of understnading of how to behave in different situations i.e. work.
At present I feel I am very naieve about Asperger's but think theres something in it for me. A letter from the consultant psychiatrist I saw put a question mark next to it. The other guy I see thinks theres a definite possibility and knows a lot about Asperger's which is good. He will be presenting a meeting at a group I will be going to. I am going to my first meeting this coming Monday. I am now 21 and feel my situation is somewhat different to the one I was in during my 'teens'. I was reading that 'the self-doubt and isolation of adolescance usually recede as the person matures. In secondary school one is forced proximity with other teenagers, who are not the most tolerant companions. As an adult, the person with Asperger's Syndrome has greater choice in activities, companions and the pace of life'
If you want do let me know what has led your husband to think he may have Asperger's please do.
PaulB
Posted by susan C on September 28, 2001, at 15:50:18
In reply to Asperger's Syndrome, posted by PaulB on September 26, 2001, at 7:06:22
Hi,
I looked this up because I had never heard of it, and some of it rang a bell, for me and for an aquaintence...her husband may have a type of autism...just another carrot into the pot of stone soup.
mouse on the loose
susan C> Hello
>
> Recently a condition has been brought to my attention by some of the people I know as a possible 'split' diagnosis for me. I found it difficult when the people I knew mentioned it first because it seems there are so many possibilties in terms of diagnosis of mental health or behavioural problems now that it exhausts me sometimes, particularly when conditions overlap. Yet reading about it and talking to people who work with other people who have Asperger's has enthralled me. I have just started to read a book that has been sitting on my shelf for a few months just waing to be picked up called 'Asperger's Syndrome' by Tony Attwood. From what I have heard it seems an excellent introduction to the world of Asperger's and look forward to posting a response if it is a good read. Some of the things I feel I see in myself when I read about Asperer's Syndrome is the inability to read other peoples body language and social cues.
> PaulB
Posted by Krazy Kat on September 30, 2001, at 11:06:11
In reply to Re: Asperger's Syndrome, posted by susan C on September 28, 2001, at 15:50:18
I will post a little later - have to think about it some because not sure I agree with him. Thanks for response.
- K.
Posted by PaulB on October 2, 2001, at 14:29:34
In reply to Re: Asperger's Syndrome, posted by Krazy Kat on September 30, 2001, at 11:06:11
> I will post a little later - have to think about it some because not sure I agree with him. Thanks for response.
>
> - K.Thats okay K. It was nice to hear from you. I hope you are okay. Aspergers Syndrome does require a diagnoisis by a psychologist which is what I would recommend. I have just finished reading the book by Tony Attwood and found it interesting and I found I could relate to some of the challenges and characteristics for people with the condition. In the area where I live there seems to be quite a lot of support. I went to the meeting I wrote about in the former post and met some people who had been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. It was a group for younger people and there was a separate meeting for the parents too to give them the opportunity to discuss their son or daughters condition and also because some of their children did not feel comfortable going into the group. One of the challenges is that sometimes persons with Aspergers can have great ability and strengths so emphasis on treating the condition is not always the focus, rather it is essential to help people with Aspergers Syndrome live their lives and learn coping strategies. Attwood writes 'Their[Aspergers}cognitive abilities include an exceptional memory, enthusiasm and knowledge about their special interest, an original way of thinking, good imagination and remarkable ability to think using pictures. These qualities are not unique to the syndrome but are enhanced by it.'
Unfortunately it is all too common I think for people with Aspergers Syndrome to have co-morbid depression and anxiety problems. I mentioned that some of the people that evening had problems with social anxiety. Therefore use of the SSRIs is recommended and to my knowledge are the only class of medications currently indicated for Aspergers Syndrome although CBT is also indicated. I have just started to take a course of Fluvoxamine as I have a lot of problems with social anxiety too as well as generalised anxiety that can be unbearable at times. I would like to hear from you again K and if anyone else reads this post you too!
PaulB
http://www.tonyattwood.com
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