catsworld
Emu Egg
Joined: Apr 17, 2012
Posts: 1
|
 Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:48 am Post subject: is aspie mental illness? |
 |
|
I am so confused. Just been re-diagnosed as an adult with aspergers, mis-diagnosed as clinical depression. Now is aspie mental illness? or is it an issue with my brain?
thanks for any response |
|
| Back to top |
|
Heidi80
Phoenix
Joined: Dec 05, 2011
Age: 33
Posts: 507
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Asperger's is a neurological difference on the autism spectrum. While many aspies suffer from additional mental health problems, like depression and anxiety, asperger's in itself is not a mental illness. |
|
| Back to top |
|
sMeow
Sea Gull
Joined: Oct 22, 2011
Age: 16
Posts: 231
Location: France
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
"While many aspies suffer from additional mental health problems, like depression and anxiety"
Which are mostly the consequences of intolerant people around you who etc. in most of the cases.
Ps : I love your name.  :p
_________________
e-mail : smeow.anw@gmail.com / skype & steam : ANolifeCookie
Please tell me if my English contains mistakes :> |
|
| Back to top |
|
glider18
Supporting Member
Joined: Nov 09, 2008
Posts: 6700
Location: Ohio
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 7:10 am Post subject: condition |
|
|
In my opinion, I view Asperger's/autism as a difference. Others may see it differently.
_________________
"My journey has just begun." |
|
| Back to top |
|
Wandering_Stranger
Phoenix
Joined: Apr 07, 2012
Posts: 1138
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I've always been told it's a developmental disorder / neurodiversity. |
|
| Back to top |
|
lostonearth35
Phoenix
Joined: Jan 06, 2010
Age: 39
Posts: 844
Location: Canada
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:45 am Post subject: |
|
|
No, it is not a mental illness. But many people with Asperger's have anxiety, depression, or other mental disorders. But people with mental illness should never feel ashamed or at fault for their suffering. But sadly, that is exactly what society wants us to feel.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
Kyra71
Raven
Joined: Feb 23, 2012
Posts: 117
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
Interesting... Makes me wonder what the definition of "mental illness" actually is? I guess I always thought autism was a mental illness / disability, because it causes you to struggle to function in ways that come easiliy to other people.
So is it considered a "disability", then? (Sorry for the ignorant question! I've always just assumed... 0.0) |
|
| Back to top |
|
CrazyCatLord
Phoenix
Joined: Oct 25, 2011
Posts: 2177
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:06 am Post subject: |
|
|
| It is a disorder, but not an illness. A developmental neurological disorder, to be precise. For many people, this disorder can lead to social or work-related disabilities as well as so-called mental disorders like anxiety and depression. |
|
| Back to top |
|
the_beautiful_mess
Snowy Owl
Joined: Feb 15, 2012
Posts: 149
Location: UK
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
Is Asperger's a mental illness?
NO.
Definitely not, although Aspies are more likely than NTs to develop mental health issues. The main difference is that Asperger's is a neurological condition that is life-long, whereas mental health issues develop later in life (not necessarily adult, speaking from personal experience) but CAN be overcome.
_________________
'I may not amount to much, but at least I am unique.' ~ Jean-Jacques Rousseau
'I sometimes go to my own little world, but that's okay, they know me there.' ~ Joel Hodgson |
|
| Back to top |
|
Max000
Toucan
Joined: Apr 07, 2012
Age: 52
Posts: 272
Location: My world
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:25 am Post subject: Re: is aspie mental illness? |
|
|
| catsworld wrote: | I am so confused. Just been re-diagnosed as an adult with aspergers, mis-diagnosed as clinical depression. Now is aspie mental illness? or is it an issue with my brain?
thanks for any response |
Mental illness, I think. I don't buy the "different" thing. I know lots people who are "different", but they can function in everyday life, and social situations. I can't, and apparently most other aspies can't either.
_________________
Your Aspie score: 175 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 34 of 200
You are very likely an Aspie |
|
| Back to top |
|
TechnoDog
Phoenix
Joined: Feb 17, 2012
Posts: 869
Location: Thornaby, UK
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
You guys using Asperger's/autism, as a temperament? How come they can identify Introverts using PET scans. Wheres Aspies.
As in like this, notice across the top:-
http://www.icd9.us/301.21/
_________________
INTJ, Type5 Observer, Ecologists,
“When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.” |
|
| Back to top |
|
CrazyCatLord
Phoenix
Joined: Oct 25, 2011
Posts: 2177
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Kyra71 wrote: | | Interesting... Makes me wonder what the definition of "mental illness" actually is? I guess I always thought autism was a mental illness / disability, because it causes you to struggle to function in ways that come easiliy to other people. |
All brain-related medical conditions are ultimately organic disturbances of the nervous system, so the distinction between mental illness and neurological disorder is just a matter of semantics. The only real difference is whether a condition is congenital (such as epilepsy), developmental (like autism), or degenerative (like Alzheimer's).
The main reason that the medical community distinguishes between mental illnesses and neurological disorders is that some conditions are treated by psychiatry and others by neurology. Psychiatric conditions, i.e. conditions that alter a person's behavior, thoughts or mood, are called mental disorders or mental illnesses, whereas conditions such as Parkinson's or epilepsy are referred to as neurological disorders.
The borders between those two categories are a bit blurry, and autism is a bit of a special case. Aspies may lead a perfectly normal life and never require the services of a psychiatrist aside from getting a diagnosis, and autism itself can't be treated with psychiatric medication anyway. So it's not really a mental disorder. On the other hand, many autistic people suffer from depression, anxiety and mood changes, and things like stimming behavior and meltdowns are relatively unusual behaviors.
I would say autism straddles the line between a mental and a neurological disorder, but it is an artificial and unnecessary line to begin with. I wish we would completely do away with the term mental illness and treat all neurological conditions as the organic problems that they are.
Last edited by CrazyCatLord on Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:39 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
Wandering_Stranger
Phoenix
Joined: Apr 07, 2012
Posts: 1138
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:36 am Post subject: Re: is aspie mental illness? |
|
|
| catsworld wrote: | I am so confused. Just been re-diagnosed as an adult with aspergers, mis-diagnosed as clinical depression. Now is aspie mental illness? or is it an issue with my brain?
thanks for any response |
It's possible you have depression too; as opposed to have been mis-diagnosed with it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
CrazyCatLord
Phoenix
Joined: Oct 25, 2011
Posts: 2177
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
| the_beautiful_mess wrote: | Is Asperger's a mental illness?
NO.
Definitely not, although Aspies are more likely than NTs to develop mental health issues. The main difference is that Asperger's is a neurological condition that is life-long, whereas mental health issues develop later in life (not necessarily adult, speaking from personal experience) but CAN be overcome. |
I would disagree with the last paragraph. Aside from milder forms of depression that are caused by grief, nutrient deficiencies or lack of sunlight, there is no neurological condition that can be cured as of yet. We can merely suppress the symptoms. Once conditions like OCD or schizophrenia start to develop, they are usually permanent. And they develop in the exact same way as autism, meaning that there is a genetic predisposition as well as an environmental trigger. The trigger of autism merely occurs at a very young age, either in the womb or shortly after birth. |
|
| Back to top |
|
CockneyRebel
Mick Avory, Sensitive brown-eyed Sweet Pea
Joined: Jul 18, 2004
Age: 38
Posts: 87203
Location: In a quiet and peaceful garden, where gentle Mick Avory-like Sweet Peas grow.
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 2:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It's not a mental illness. We're more likely to have mental health conditions along with AS. AS is a neurological developmental disorder of the brain. Our brains are structured differently. Part of the reason that we're more likely to develop anxiety and depression is because the way that some NTs treat us, such as our parents, teachers and peers. I'd also like to say that I don't hate all NTs. Only the 5 percent who gave me a hard time.
_________________
The darling, unworldly Mick Avory with hands like shovels, who wouldn't dare choose to hurt a soul: I'm the cuddly, adorable Kink. Sweet Peas: http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j37/Cocknee/Kinks/Sweet%20Pea%20Smileys/ Other: http://www.mybrowsercash.com/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
