Okay, well. I'm 18. Ever since I was young I have had a craving for facts and numbers! I love researching random things especially countries (populations, cities, languages. etc... ), history, you name it. I've heard that a lot of people with aspergers have this trait, which could really be normal for all I know. I'm very moody, I'm very socially awkward. I'm either very loud and annoying, or I'm very quiet and closed. I say a lot of things that I really shouldn't but I don't realize it until afterwards. I have a history of mood swings, I have TERRIBLE anxiety. I'm always anxious about something and a lot of it is stupid things. I often have a lot of obsessions. It changes from time to time, but when I'm obsessed with one thing it's ONE thing. It's all I want to talk about. I do a lot of thinking with my eyes, I can solve certain things by looking at my surroundings, etc... some people say I'm not good at listening to people. This I find to be true. I HATE sitting down face to face and maintaining a conversation, especially with my doctor, etc.. I LOVE having a fixed schedule. When things change I get upset, anxious and possibly angry. Sometimes I have a hard time showing sympathy. This really makes me upset though, because I'm always afraid this is a sign I'll become a terrible person in my future. When most people are crying, I usually can't cry. No matter how hard I try.. barely if any tears drop. People always tell me I'm really smart, and how they think I use more than 10% of my brain. All in all, I understand she's a trained professional but that doesn't make her right. I believe she may have fabricated this so that she can get me on even more medicine, so she/drug companies make more money. Does it sound like I have aspergers?

If you were my student and you exhibited these behaviors, I would send you for testing if you had Aspergers. In my teaching experience, I agree with your Dr.

All right, well thank you. I was tested when I was younger because I was VERY hyper and they thought I had it, but they never confirmed anything. They instead assumed I had ADD/ADHD. I've recently found out a while ago that a lot of the diagnoses back then were wrong and invalid. I mean, I've made it this far in life with few problems. I graduated high school with a 3.0 GPA and with good grades.

I'm married to a guy with Asperger's and we have an autistic son. Both are very smart (like you), but their brains are wired differently from mine and other people's. We also have four cats who have many of the same Aspie characteristics -- they all hate change, are smart, like regular routines, don't like to be social except on their own terms, don't like loud noises like balloons popping or sirens or thunder, like only certain foods, and so on. I have several Aspie friends who are either in college or have graduated and have found jobs they like that are very structured and predictable.

There is a famous woman who is on the spectrum -- Temple Grandin. Have you heard of her?

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

I'm married to a guy with Asperger's and we have an autistic son. Both are very smart (like you), but their brains are wired differently from mine and other people's. We also have four cats who have many of the same Aspie characteristics -- they all hate change, are smart, like regular routines, don't like to be social except on their own terms, don't like loud noises like balloons popping or sirens or thunder, like only certain foods, and so on. I have several Aspie friends who are either in college or have graduated and have found jobs they like that are very structured and predictable.

There is a famous woman who is on the spectrum -- Temple Grandin. Have you heard of her?

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That's good to hear! I think my biggest problem is people think I'm stupid when I'm not. I'm just as smart as they are. I just don't like people as much. I looked her up, she's a genius! :)

If anything, you are tons smarter than most people, but it is often selective, like math or trivia facts. My son helps me with hard crossword puzzles :). He gets most of the questions right on Jeopardy. Your biggest problem is social, and there are ways to improve that.

My husband and son don't take any drugs. Did your doctor suggest something for you, maybe for anxiety or anger outbursts?

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

My husband and son don't take any drugs. Did your doctor suggest something for you, maybe for anxiety or anger outbursts?

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Thank you for the support! I agree there is room for social interaction. I'm currently taking Zoloft 200 mg a day. I've been on this drug and dosage for a few years now. It helps, but sometimes I feel it's effectiveness is wearing off. It's not though. Also, I don't have many problems with my anger. When I do, I'm not violent. I'll just get quiet and try to calm myself down.

Are you seeing a counselor regularly, like once a week? If so, suggest role playing and something called cognitive-behavioral therapy. That's what I do with my son to help him socially.

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Originally Posted by johannsson35

Alright, well thank you. I was tested when I was younger because I was VERY hyper and they thought I had it, but they never confirmed anything. They instead assumed I had ADD/ADHD. I've recently found out a while ago that a lot of the diagnoses back then were wrong and invalid. I mean, I've made it this far in life with few problems. I graduated high school with a 3.0 GPA and with good grades.

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Fantastic! A diagnosis does not mean you aren't smart, you learn and process differently. It helps to understand your triggers and how to deal with social situations when issues arise.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Are you seeing a counselor regularly, like once a week? If so, suggest role playing and something called cognitive-behavioral therapy. That's what I do with my son to help him socially.

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Yes, I see both a psychiatrist and a psychologist. We've never done the role playing, but I often do it in my head.

Ask the psychologist to role play with you.