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Maybe Asperger's syndrome is my key?

D

Dothemo2323

Active Member
Hello,

My name is Matthew, I'm 38yo and I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome as a child by a specialist psychiatrist at St. Vincents hospital in Sydney, Australia. I also have been diagnosed with OCD, Anxiety and ADD. My Asperger's diagnosis has all been forgotten about and when I've had issues, I just mention OCD to the doctors I've seen. I have had various levels of functioning over the years but it hasn't been optimal, there's been things holding me back that just OCD or Anxiety couldn't explain. So I am a qualified electrician but am having difficulty holding down a job atm and getting help. So upon speaking to my father today, he reminded me of my Asperger's and that I've never really got help for it. It has occurred to me that perhaps I have difficultly getting help because my Asperger's isn't taken into account by my doctor?

So I am here to learn as much as possible. I want to know, do people with Asperger's often have comorbid mental illness like OCD, ADD and anxiety? Furthermore, does someone with Asperger's manifest and experience these disorders "differently"? I am not your typical OCD, anxiety and ADD person if that makes sense. Anyways, I look forward to meeting everyone and if you'd be kind enough to advise me on my queries it would be much appreciated.

-Dothemo
 
Dothemo2323 said:
My name is Matthew, I'm 38yo and I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome as a child by a specialist psychiatrist at St. Vincents hospital in Sydney, Australia.
Click to expand...

Hi Matthew; another Sydney person here. Can't really answer your questions, but in my experience, yes - people with AS do have anxiety as well.
 
Dothemo2323 said:
Hello,

My name is Matthew, I'm 38yo and I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome as a child by a specialist psychiatrist at St. Vincents hospital in Sydney, Australia. I also have been diagnosed with OCD, Anxiety and ADD. My Asperger's diagnosis has all been forgotten about and when I've had issues, I just mention OCD to the doctors I've seen. I have had various levels of functioning over the years but it hasn't been optimal, there's been things holding me back that just OCD or Anxiety couldn't explain. So I am a qualified electrician but am having difficulty holding down a job atm and getting help. So upon speaking to my father today, he reminded me of my Asperger's and that I've never really got help for it. It has occurred to me that perhaps I have difficultly getting help because my Asperger's isn't taken into account by my doctor?

So I am here to learn as much as possible. I want to know, do people with Asperger's often have comorbid mental illness like OCD, ADD and anxiety? Furthermore, does someone with Asperger's manifest and experience these disorders "differently"? I am not your typical OCD, anxiety and ADD person if that makes sense. Anyways, I look forward to meeting everyone and if you'd be kind enough to advise me on my queries it would be much appreciated.

-Dothemo
Click to expand...
It might not be OCD it might be part of autism, I thought it was but it's autism
It doesn't rule my life OCD normally does that.
 
Welcome to the site Matthew! What has been diagnosed as OCD, anxiety, and ADD could very well just be manifestations of Asperger's Syndrome. You should definitely let your care providers know about your childhood diagnosis. It will likely affect how they approach your care.

Employment issues are a common problem for those on the spectrum; it's not just you. But don't be discouraged. There are plenty of people on this site who have full time jobs and are getting along just fine. It just might take you a little longer than some people to get to that point.
 
My response is yes, some with Asperger's definitely do manifest OCD, ADD and anxiety, but everyone manifests differently, irrespective of whether they are on the spectrum.

Sometimes these become the main focus because they are so evident and so draw attention away from the Asperger's diagnosis or manifestations.

It is easy to allow that but not wise because of the inter-relationship which often exists between them. Anyway, it is important in order for people to better understand those manifestations that are specifically associated with Asperger's.
 
Welcome to AF.jpg
 
Welcome :)

Dothemo2323 said:
do people with Asperger's often have comorbid mental illness like OCD, ADD and anxiety?
Click to expand...

I don't know whether people on the spectrum are more likely than NT's to have such mental illnesses, but I can say that I have also been diagnosed with OCD and generalised anxiety disorder.
 
We actually discovered things sort of in reverse to your situation. One of my daughters and I have high functioning ASD. We were both initially diagnosed and treated for generalized anxiety disorder and depression. (In my case, also PTSD and OCD symptoms). While counselling and medication seemed to help us to a degree, it wasn't until the ultimate ASD discovery that we've both made really positive gains. In my case, it's been so helpful to understand WHY some things were simply not 'improving', so I could use ASD as my framework for directing life in more Aspie- friendly directions. I've been able to let go of some of the negative feelings I've had about my inability to do certain things well (or easily). Not as an excuse, but as an explanation.
 
Dothemo2323 said:
Hello,

My name is Matthew, I'm 38yo and I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome as a child by a specialist psychiatrist at St. Vincents hospital in Sydney, Australia. I also have been diagnosed with OCD, Anxiety and ADD. My Asperger's diagnosis has all been forgotten about and when I've had issues, I just mention OCD to the doctors I've seen. I have had various levels of functioning over the years but it hasn't been optimal, there's been things holding me back that just OCD or Anxiety couldn't explain. So I am a qualified electrician but am having difficulty holding down a job atm and getting help. So upon speaking to my father today, he reminded me of my Asperger's and that I've never really got help for it. It has occurred to me that perhaps I have difficultly getting help because my Asperger's isn't taken into account by my doctor?

So I am here to learn as much as possible. I want to know, do people with Asperger's often have comorbid mental illness like OCD, ADD and anxiety? Furthermore, does someone with Asperger's manifest and experience these disorders "differently"? I am not your typical OCD, anxiety and ADD person if that makes sense. Anyways, I look forward to meeting everyone and if you'd be kind enough to advise me on my queries it would be much appreciated.

-Dothemo
Click to expand...

Hi Dothemo. Welcome to AF!!!

According to my not-very-scientific readings on this site, lots of people with Aspergers/Autism also have OCD, ADD, and anxiety. You are in good company here. :D
 
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