Posted by alexandra_k on July 5, 2005, at 22:03:47
In reply to Re: What makes a dx official? » alexandra_k, posted by thuso on July 5, 2005, at 20:52:15
> I’m still just looking for a yes/no/I don’t know answer and why.
Yeah. I don't know. Thats the best I can do ;-)
Maybe... When there is disagreement with different clinicians saying different things... Maybe thats because you are a kind of borderline case. I mean, meeting dx criteria is only artificially cut and dried (because of an arbitrary threshold). In reality there are more or less severe cases. More or less clear cut cases. Sometimes people are on the borderline. In the grey area. One clinician may have a lower threshold for making a certain dx another clinician may have a higher threshold for making the same dx. There may be no answer to your question beyond what a particular clinician thinks...
> Since so much research has been done and books written about different disorders, by having a dx a person can point a family member or friend to a book (or website) that will make your behavior and actions more understandable to them.Yeah. Though the book could be helpful if you exhibit those symptoms regardless of whether you have the official dx or not.
>I understand that a dx in of itself is not an explanation for behavior, but with AS it would explain why my brain works and functions the way it does. That’s what people keep telling me they don’t understand.
Okay. I think I get you.
> if I need to change an aspect of my behavior, the method of change would need to be shaped in a way that my brain can process the information and then turn it into action. Just because a person doesn't have an AS dx doesn't mean their brain doesn't work this way. It’s just with an AS dx it would bring much more understanding (at least for me) as to how my brain works and how I need to approach things. It’s really hard for me to explain.Ok. I think I get what you are saying.
> For example, a symptom that people with AS often have is social isolation/awkwardness. For a non-AS person the goal would be to get out more and make friends or deal with the person’s social anxiety. It may be suggested to join a club or volunteer somewhere to make friends. It’s different for a person with AS. Ultimately, it is going to be the same goals, but one of the issues a person with AS has is that they have a very hard time understanding social cues and non-verbal communication. Those are two things that most people take for granted. To teach an AS person how to not be so socially awkward and isolated is to show them how to recognize certain non-verbal clues. Then how to take all that information and analyze it (the whole systematic thing I was mentioning) to try and figure out a person’s motives. Basically, a person with AS often needs a different approach to problems because of the way their brain works and doesn’t work. That’s why knowing how my brain is wired can really help me understand how to approach problems that I need to fix.Ok. So... I would say... Have you tried the first solution? How did it work for you? Not very well? Well then it might be time for a change in strategy...
I think I hear what you are saying, though. Dx does set the agenda for treatment. IMO that is a real shame. But I am fairly anti-dx. But I won't get started on the politics of opression...
> You'll often hear AS described as having an extreme male brain. Being a girl, the first thing people will associate me with is having a female brain (ie. more empathetic), which is the extreme opposite of me. It's sometimes shocking to people when I don't show empathy or when I analytically process a problem better than a majority of guys. It’s great to out analyze a guy because it humbles them really quick. They don’t’ like when girls beat them at things. Hahaha! :-D Ok...back to the questions...
:-)
:-)
I thought you were a guy!!!!
Te he!
Lots of people feel the same way about me.
> > >It would also be helpful if any of my kids exhibit similar symptoms because then I'll have a history of AS dx to back up any of my suspicions.Yes. To get them prompt treatment. To have your concerns taken seriously right from the start. It is unfortunate, but things do tend to work that way :-(
> Does this answer your many questions? ;-)
Yeah. Thanks for having the discussion with me and not getting offended :-)I like asking questions.
poster:alexandra_k
thread:523892
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050628/msgs/524028.html