when something is a "disorder" and when it isnt gets just little too theological for me. I mean I understand the point - Peter Kramer in "Listening to Prozac" discussed the question of OCD - suggesting that in an earlier age, where more work involved clerical type details, and less emphasis on adapting quickly to change, OCD was much more functional. I guess each person has to decide for themselves what about themselves is "them" and what creates so much pain they want to "fix" it. I also suspect that those of us whose personal experience is more with things like ADD, OCD or depression cant necessarily understand Aspergers from that experience, as Aspergers seems more connected to core aspects of personality.
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Originally posted by Bill3000
Aspergers is not a disease. It is a way of life. The only way that it is even a "disorder" in the remote sense is because the majority of society is more social and different from us; thus, it can have disadvantages too.
It's not a crutch, as some people such as idiots such as AH would say. It exists, period. It affects my personality up to the point where I probably think completely different than most of you.
To the "normal" people - do you read encyclopedias for fun? Do you have an obsessive thirst for knowledge in a particular subject for no real reason at all? Do you not understand what the PRH other people are talking about, or can't even begin to comprehend what they are feeling? Don't understand social skills, feel incredibly stressed in crowded or rowdy areas up to the point where you feel like you must run away? You don't? Well, that's how I think.
I am also aware my mind does not work on the same wavelength as everyone elses. Whereas social skills are pretty innate to me I find romance and dating utterly terrifying to the point of aversion. I don't know why, it should follow on quite logically from the dating side of things. But it is that acute self-consciousness and anxiety that kick in. But yeah, when I was a kid I read encyclopaedia and textbooks - still very much what I am like now - I deal in facts, in empirical observations - I really don't have time for the 'less tangible', mysticism and theism, and consider them to be a complete waste of time and resources.
And I can become fascinated with some silly things which shouldn't be remotely fascinated. I am a compulsive map reader - they have fascinated me since I was a child. It's given me the mind I have today...I see a lot of those traits in myself and definitely in the childhood me - if I'd have been 10 years younger I'd have probably been diagnosed as being Asperger's. But somehow I managed to sort things out and I am not sure how.Speaking of Erith:
"It's not twinned with anywhere, but it does have a suicide pact with Dagenham" - Linda Smith
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Originally posted by Provost Harrison
I am defined as fairly 'normal' although have had a struggle with depression for a long period of my life. I have no problem comprehending and understanding other people, I am socially adept and naturally so. Crowded areas can make me very anxious though - depends on where though and the kind of people there. A nightclub can be a nightmare, however if the music is good I am fine. Crowded city centres are variable. Some places really rattle me (Hull or Leeds for example) whereas others (York or London for example) do not.
I am also aware my mind does not work on the same wavelength as everyone elses. Whereas social skills are pretty innate to me I find romance and dating utterly terrifying to the point of aversion. I don't know why, it should follow on quite logically from the dating side of things. But it is that acute self-consciousness and anxiety that kick in. But yeah, when I was a kid I read encyclopaedia and textbooks - still very much what I am like now - I deal in facts, in empirical observations - I really don't have time for the 'less tangible', mysticism and theism, and consider them to be a complete waste of time and resources.
And I can become fascinated with some silly things which shouldn't be remotely fascinated. I am a compulsive map reader - they have fascinated me since I was a child. It's given me the mind I have today...I see a lot of those traits in myself and definitely in the childhood me - if I'd have been 10 years younger I'd have probably been diagnosed as being Asperger's. But somehow I managed to sort things out and I am not sure how."A person cannot approach the divine by reaching beyond the human. To become human, is what this individual person, has been created for.” Martin Buber
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I'm a VSL to the dot. Meant I was very good at sciences because I could just visualise the whole lot - and a very strong spot for chemistry - on top of a memory like a sponge. But I do get fascinations with small things, small concepts and systems which I've never really thought about before. I am not saying I have any disorder but I have traits which do. I suppose, to some extent, everyone does.
But as Bill has said, it is just a different way of functioning, of thinking. And society is inable to accept such people...Speaking of Erith:
"It's not twinned with anywhere, but it does have a suicide pact with Dagenham" - Linda Smith
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Japher, you inspired me...
Oh how I long for
death's sweet kiss
To finally free me
from this waking prison cell
This life you gave is rotten,
as rotten as your (crude name for part of female anatomy to prove I'm a real hardcore mature emo who defies society)
I reckon poly should start a collective livejournal...Desperados of the world, unite. You have nothing to lose but your dignity.......
07849275180
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Originally posted by Provost Harrison
just a different way of functioning, of thinkingDISCLAIMER: the author of the above written texts does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for any offence and insult; disrespect, arrogance and related forms of demeaning behaviour; discrimination based on race, gender, age, income class, body mass, living area, political voting-record, football fan-ship and musical preference; insensitivity towards material, emotional or spiritual distress; and attempted emotional or financial black-mailing, skirt-chasing or death-threats perceived by the reader of the said written texts.
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The Wickipedia article contains an argument that people with Asperger's basically have an extremely male brain, with little ability at emphatizing and a lot of ability and systematizing.
I don't like the word "disorder" very much either. Also didn't consider autism to be an illness in the past. (btw, as I've read it there's still debate whether Asperger's is a form of autism)DISCLAIMER: the author of the above written texts does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for any offence and insult; disrespect, arrogance and related forms of demeaning behaviour; discrimination based on race, gender, age, income class, body mass, living area, political voting-record, football fan-ship and musical preference; insensitivity towards material, emotional or spiritual distress; and attempted emotional or financial black-mailing, skirt-chasing or death-threats perceived by the reader of the said written texts.
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In which case Asperger's wouldn't really been an issue of "having it" or "not having it", I guess, just depends on to what degree your brain is "male".DISCLAIMER: the author of the above written texts does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for any offence and insult; disrespect, arrogance and related forms of demeaning behaviour; discrimination based on race, gender, age, income class, body mass, living area, political voting-record, football fan-ship and musical preference; insensitivity towards material, emotional or spiritual distress; and attempted emotional or financial black-mailing, skirt-chasing or death-threats perceived by the reader of the said written texts.
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