Mood Irregularities

[Rye]

I have an appointment with a therapist to have counsel on whether or not I should get a diagnosis on what I suspect is Asperger's Syndrome (but could simply just be my lack of understanding of what ADHD is) and I was wondering if I should mention that I have irregularities with mood. For example, something can make me extremely angry or annoyed and then the next second I am at my "base" feeling. My friend has commented on how peculiar it is that I can have a violent, verbal outburst of utter annoyance when something rather minor happens and go back to normal as if nothing happened. I can feel happy the entire day and succumb to a feeling of emptiness at the end of the day. I get bouts of anxiety, but they don't affect me mentally, I only get physical indicators that I am having a panic attack. Another thing that I've noticed is that I very rarely feel much of anything towards anyone or anything, I am universally indifferent on what I think is typical. I also have issue with expressing emotion. Is any of this worth mentioning to the context of the situation or is this a separate issue?

 

[AutistheFrog]

I'm not a psychologist or psychiatrist, but what you described sounds more like a mood disorder than autism. There are a number of mood disorders, including bipolar 1, bipolar 2, cyclothymia, depression, seasonal affective disorder, and others.

While many autistic individuals may appear moody when they are overstimulated, irregularities like that strike me as something closer to bipolar 2 or cyclothymia.

Nevertheless, to answer your question, I believe that it's very important to mention of all of this to a therapist. The more you mention that might seem important, the better they can help you.

 

[Rye]

irregularities like that strike me as something closer to bipolar 2 or cyclothymia.

When I was twelve, my anger therapist mentioned something similar to cyclothymia, but I don't see it because my mood doesn't have highs and lows. I don't have bipolar II disorder, when I was institutionalized, the "head doctor" there specifically said that I don't have any form of manic depression when I incorrectly mentioned my concerns about the causes of depression, although my (related) uncle has it. I think that I hadn't explained everything as best as I can, so I'll try reiterating. The anger/annoyance example was when I was at a drive-thru at Sonic and I very clearly stated my order three times and the woman working there STILL got my order wrong so I got extremely angry yelling that it's not a wonder why this brain-damaged moron is stuck working at fast food chain, and a few minutes later I was completely calm even after I was being a total idiot. It still annoys me to think about it right now because it is beyond me how someone can be so inept at understanding their primary language. The sadness at the end of the day is tied directly to the day ending and entering the A.M. times because I guess I just get upset that the day has gone by so quickly. I don't want the day to end because typically I have something I don't want to do tomorrow, like tonight I feel sad because I have to wake up early tomorrow to go to church, and tomorrow night I have to wake up early to go to school.

 

[Katherine Rawstron]

Yes, you should mention these things, and anything else that comes to mind that might be relevant; otherwise, you could end up with a misdiagnosis, or an under-diagnosis.
I know it's easier said than done, but next time somebody messes up, consider that they, too, may have personal issues/migraine/been working overtime/just had somebody else shout at them etc., and try to cut them the same amount of slack you want others to cut you. It won't be easy, and you won't manage it every time, but it will come with practice.
You mentioned church. Have a chat with the vicar/pastor or whatever, or a counsellor if there is one, and see if they can help. They may be able to offer ministry, or refer to somebody with a gift for helping people in your situation.

 

[Rye]

Have a chat with the vicar/pastor or whatever, or a counsellor if there is one, and see if they can help. They may be able to offer ministry, or refer to somebody with a gift for helping people in your situation.

I'm an atheist, but I have talked to a father before and we developed a "friendship." I'm generally uncomfortable talking with pastors as they are very one-minded, but he wasn't. He was open-minded about everything I had to say, so I reciprocated the respect he for me. He gave me a rosary just in case I ever did find a reason to believe in Yahweh, but I've yet to. I have been wanting to talk to him again as he's been asking my parents to talk to me again, but I haven't made the trip back to my home-state yet.

 

[Kirsty]

The anger/annoyance example was when I was at a drive-thru at Sonic and I very clearly stated my order three times and the woman working there STILL got my order wrong so I got extremely angry yelling that it's not a wonder why this brain-damaged moron is stuck working at fast food chain, and a few minutes later I was completely calm even after I was being a total idiot. It still annoys me to think about it right now because it is beyond me how someone can be so inept at understanding their primary language.

Extreme irritability is part of the mania in all forms of BP.

 

[Rye]

Extreme irritability is part of the mania in all forms of BP.

I don't think that it's manic-depressive disorder as I would've noticed the highs and lows a while ago. I am at my base all of the time unless something happens or a thought enters my mind to change it, but because I am clearly the dissenting opinion, I will include this when I talk to him or her.