Hello - New and would like some feedback

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Hello,

I am new to the site and would like some reaction and response.

I am 50 years old, and while I've felt different all my life, until recently, I've never really thought I might be an Aspie. Admittedly, during most of my life, I wasn't aware of Asperger's.
Recently, however, I've started to wonder. A number of Aspie characteristics seem to fit me well. I should say up front that I realize internet quizzes are not a diagnosis, and I treat the results with that in mind. However, the quizzes do seem to indicate something and while not given in a clinical setting, a few of the quizzes do seem to be developed by some legitimate researches and have some validity studies behind them. They're enough to make me wonder (and by wonder, I mean obsess). So, here goes:

First, I stumbled on to an article about the Cup Test and perception and intentions from Psychology Today (since this is my first post, I'm not allowed to post the link)

I answered the quiz in the more typically Aspie way.

Other results:
Aspie Quiz (which I'm not sure of the validity, but I've seen it mentioned often on this site) It's the rdos one (since this is my first post, I can't post the link)

I don't seem to be able to post the chart but results:
Your Aspie score: 143 out of 200
Your NT score 60 out of 200
You are very likely an Aspie.

This is the score I got when I went back to the test again and tried to be as thoughtful as I could about not overstating anything I thought might skew my score to the Aspie side and to be as honest and self-aware as possible. I thought my score would be lower than previously, but it went up from 131 to 143.

AQ test:
I scored 38, 39, and 36 taking it three times. I believe it lists the threshold score of 32.

RAADS-R test

Total 157 (threshold 65)
Language 9 (threshold 4)
Social Relatedness 74 (threshold 31)
Sensory motor 34 (threshold 16)
Circumscribed interests 40 (threshold 15)

EQ score (lower score means less less empathetic) I believe it said the cutoff is in the 30s and Aspies tend to score in the low 20s. I scored:
16 (This one really surprised me. I think I'm pretty caring and compassionate, but maybe that's different than empathy. I figured this score would be the one to convince me the others were just odd anomalies for me. Guess I was wrong about that). My wife scored a 62.

Again, I'll add the caveat that I know not to read too much into online quizzes even as I obsess over them, but a whole lot of results are telling me there's some reason to suspect I'm an Aspie. When I look at the DSM IV and V criteria, I'm not sure I would meet either set, but I sure don't feel neurotypical.

I've been successful academically and have a successful career as a teacher, which I know is not a typical Aspie profession. I've been successful teaching and won some teaching awards, but I do feel like some Aspie-like traits have made things more difficult for me over the years.I've also dealt with some major depression issues at times over my life.

I'm really wondering about seeking professional evaluation and am interested in feedback. I don't want to waste a big chunk of money to no good end, especially if I'm not sure I fit the DSM. A formal diagnosis, however, might bring me some clarity and comfort as I both reflect on my life and move forward.

Thoughts? Please be gentle and don't blast me for my post. This is the first time I've posted to a forum about anything close to this, and it wasn't easy for me to do.

Thanks

DSM sucks. Its lost all authority for my money.

You probably are an Aspie but regarding an official diag, with the new DSM changes - they are seeking to reduce rates of AS and even removing it from their little book of nonsense.

I dont know what you gain from a diag but its likely you are an Aspie - you dont need to waste any money to confirm that.

Welcome to WP!

I suggest that you should disregard the "DSM sucks" post, yeagle. Some people are more interested in voicing their opinions than providing useful feedback to new members.

If you suspect having Asperger's, then it might be in your interest in pursuing a formal diagnosis, assuming that you can find a psychiatrist with the necessary expertise. Some psychiatrists are only equipped to diagnose autistic traits in children, however, so you might need to look closely at their particular focus/interest.

However, if you - at the age of 50 - have a successful career, then you may not *need* a formal diagnosis.

A diagnosis is mostly useful in situations where people need to document the right/need for special benefits/accommodations etc. On the other had, several members on WP have described how they get treated as "crazies" after they revealed that they had Aspergers. So it really depends on what you need the diagnosis for.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Hello, and welcome.

Well, seeing as you answered the tests "as honest and self-aware as possible" I'd say it's pretty likely that you have AS traits - although it's impossible to tell if a psychiatrist will agree. They take how you present yourself to them (your actual behavior at the interview) into account as much as your test results, and if you have learned to 'act normal' (as many adult undiagnosed people have) they will possibly not recognize that you are anything else but 'normal'.

I would recommend that you take a long hard look at what your expectations are in regards to getting an official diagnosis, and why you think you might need one. I'm not saying you shouldn't get one, but there's a very real possibility that if you do, you'll be disappointed if you are not clear on what you can reasonably expect. I can't help noticing that you are looking for "clarity and comfort", and this might be too much to expect from the diagnosis alone - especially if the result doesn't match your own evaluation. Some people only get a 'possible Asperger's' diagnosis that doesn't really clarify anything...

So, for clarity - what i would recommend is that you educate yourself on the topic. There are quite a lot of books out there to choose from now, after all. And authors with very different views and approaches, so reading several books could be a good idea. Also, I've learned some things watching videos from fellow aspergians on youtube, and from reading blog posts.

For comfort - share what you learn with your loved ones, so that they will be better informed in their actions when they want to help you through whatever difficulties life throws at you.
And - use this community! You will be treated well here, whether you get a diagnosis or not.

Thanks for the welcomes.

Answeraspgers,

Whatever the limitations/confusion of the DSM, I think it is relevant to me. I appreciate the welcoming sense I feel on this site to help me regardless of official diagnosis or not. However, I do need to consider that I may be wrong in my suspicions or some other condition fits my symptoms better. I don't want to operate under false pretenses or assumption. I think there are some inherent dangers in my trying to self-diagnose. On the other hand, I don't think all the results I posted or my own self-knowledge of my condition are irrelevant either. I did visit your site and found some helpful things there.

Thanks

GGPViper,

Thanks for the reply. I have been thinking about the things you said. I do think I need to be selective about what I what I reveal to whom. Right now, I think I'm most concerned about initially discussing it with a psychologist. I've been rehearsing the conversation in my head (by which I mean, again, obsessing) as to how I might bring the subject up. I fear as I describe symptoms or share the quiz results I listed above, I'll make a fool of myself. I know and will express the many caveats that come with online quizzes, but they do describe something about me. I go back forth about pursuing it, but I've pretty much decided to at least begin a process of pursuing it further. I'm not sure about finding an expert, but will start with a psychologist I've seen recently about something else. I trust him and am comfortable with him and believe he will steer me in the right direction. Still, I will worry and rehearse he opening conversation in my head quite a bit, I'm sure between now and then. My loving wife tells me I've taken the steps I can at the moment, so try not to obsess over it until the appointment. She realizes, however, how very hard that will be for me.

Unsortable,

Thank you for what I think is probably very good advice. I have and am thinking long and hard about it, and I realize Imay be undertaking a fool's errand. If I don't pursue it at all, I might always be left wondering. Maybe an official "named condition" for me isn't as important as learning to be self-aware and strategies to help me with things that interfere with life, but it might be nice nevertheless.

"Clarity and comfort" are probably not all inclusive terms for what I'm looking for, but the best I could come up with to express myself.

Thanks again for your thoughtful response.

You're welcome.

I agree that it is entirely possible that some other 'named condition' may fit your symptoms better. There is indeed a lot of overlap between AS symptoms and those of several personality disorders (schizotypal PD and schizoid PD to name a few). Also OCD shows some similarities to AS and is often co-morbid with ASD's. This is one of the reasons it is so hard to get a correct diagnosis.

The important thing is that whichever diagnosis you end up with, it's something that is actually helpful to you. Best of luck with your appointment with the psychologist.

Hey there,

Welcome to Wrongplanet! Good to have you aboard.

Well, I've had two sessions with the psychologist thus far. Too early for a diagnosis, but she said she's leaning toward an Asperger's diagnosis at this point. I'm still sorting out in my mind what I think about all this.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Hi.
I think it is good to know you're not alone. When you go through life surrounded by people who are nothing like you it is tough to stay sane. There is a reason people develop personality disorders or abuse substances. The disorders that fit may fit because they affect autistics. Not being diagnosed gets worse throughout a lifetime, moreso when you are successful.
You sound very well to me.
Am I making any sense?

You are so lucky that your wife is loving and understanding.
I am age 40 and going through a similar situtation with a wife that is providing zero love and zero support and has completely alienated me since I told her I suspect that I have Aspergers and need help.
What I wouldn't do for some love and support from her.

Well, I guess it's official now. I got a diagnosis today. I'm an Aspie. I really like that my my psychologist is most focused on what problems or issues I may be having and working with me to understand and address them and play to my strengths. We'll move from diagnosis to that sort of treatment next session.