Posted by Quintal on December 29, 2006, at 15:54:34
In reply to A naturalistic fallacy? » Quintal, posted by jimmygold70 on December 29, 2006, at 9:30:48
>That's true, I don't hold an Aristotelian view anymore - I favor treatment of symptom particulars over classifications (-:
Is that so?
>NPD was just an example, you can see shyness in social phobia but then if it is something more pervasive and longstanding you might like to look at other features - Avoidant, Schizoid, Schizotypal.
I examined those categories five years ago and found parts of myself described in all of them but none described me as a whole very accurately. The pdoc at that time dismissed avoidant - I'd attempted too many things in life for that; schizoids aren't troubled enough by their problems to seek treatment, and he'd never seen schizotypal actually used in 30 years of practice. There was no question of antisocial, narcissistic, histrionic, obsessive compulsive, dependant - they just don't describe me very well at all. Borderline was a possibility considering I had an episode of self-harm, but overall opinion is that my problems lie elsewhere. It is a quagmire of a diagnosis as you point out and few seem enthusiastic about using it in the UK in any case.
Having to depend on the UK NHS means that they're not very proactive or interested in finding out where my problems do lie. My GP was intrigued by the possibility of Asperger's Syndrome but still re-prescribed Parnate (which I'm reluctant to take without a benzo) at my last appointment for anxiety and depression as that's the most she could do for me at that point. We'll see what comes of it when I see her next.
>I have this obsession. My father has it too.Would that fit in the PDD group? I don't think so.
Nobody has suggested that *you* are on the autistic spectrum jimmygold70. You seem to have taken it upon yourself to disprove some perceived accusation. Obsessions alone obviously do not make the diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, that often comes from the wider picture of the person's life and history of social functioning and where the obsessions figure in that; but yes - some people who have obsessions will fit in the PDD group.
>Again pal, you're commiting the naturalistic fallacy.
Don't call me 'pal'. I am no more committing the naturalistic fallacy by considering the possibility of Asperger's Syndrome than you are in suggesting the personality disorders. It's equally possible to imagine you suffer from NPD or any other personality disorder or psychiatric diagnosis and be mistaken - the naturalistic fallacy. As is widely acknowledged, the boundaries between the personality disorders are arbitrary - as are the boundaries between 'normal' and pathological behaviour. They are rarely helpful diagnoses in any case and offer a poor prognosis as well as stigma and negative connotations in the medical community and the general public. Since there is a possibility that in labelling a person with 'X' personality disorder we may actually be describing the same phenomena as Asperger's Syndrome I prefer the diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome wherever it is plausible.
>Go and take a look at a real group of Aspergers and you'll get my very point.
What exactly is your very point and what am I supposed to observe among these people that will dissuade me from that diagnosis? Since you have never met me in person how do you know I do not possess those very characteristics? Also, how do you suggest I gain access to an Asperger's Syndrome treatment facility? Bedlam lunatic asylum closed it's doors on gawpers centuries ago along with similar institutions. How did you, a person apparently diagnosed with a type B personality disorder, get inside an institution for vulnerable people to perform this examination? Would you please share your findings? I have lurked among Asperger's Syndrome support groups and feel much more at home there than I do here. I am on the same 'wavelength' as the people who post there.
>By the way, what is a 'weak immune system'?
'Weak immune system' is the layman's term I used to describe my deficiency in white blood cells and unusual vulnerability to recurring infections. Hypogammaglobulinemia to be technically precise.
There are many reasons why I relate strongly to Asperger's Syndrome more than the personality disorders. I will make a separate post detailing them another day if you wish but here are just three examples that stand out glaringly why I find greater resonance with Asperger's and not NPD or other personality disorders:
__________________________________________________
The unwritten rules of social behaviour that mystify so many with AS have been termed the "hidden curriculum".[13] People with AS must learn these social skills intellectually rather than intuitively.[14A person with AS may have trouble understanding the emotions of other people: the messages that are conveyed by facial expression, eye contact and body language are often missed. They also might have trouble showing empathy with other people. *****Thus, people with AS might be seen as egotistical, selfish or uncaring. In most cases, these are unfair labels because affected people are neurologically unable to understand other people's emotional states. They are usually shocked, upset and remorseful when told that their actions are hurtful or inappropriate.***** It is clear that people with AS do not lack emotions.
Unlike Asperger's Syndrome, SPD does not involve an impairment in nonverbal communication (e.g., lack of eye-contact or unusual prosody) or a pattern of restricted interests or repetitive behaviours (e.g., a strict adherence to routines or rituals, or an unusually intense interest in a single topic). Instead people with SPD are typically more indifferent with regard to their activities. SPD does not affect the ability to express oneself or communicate effectively with others, and is not believed to be related to any form of autism.
__________________________________________________Q
poster:Quintal
thread:716494
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061224/msgs/717324.html