My friend's in trouble, ALL help is appreciated

[GrefMofovich]

Man. Where to begin?

I'm sorry if I'm out of line here, if this thread is bad, please delete it and forgive me.

[GrefMofovich]

sorry for double post, I'm a little shaken


Man. Where to begin?

I'm sorry if I'm out of line here, if this thread is bad, please delete it and forgive me.

My best friend in the universe has just been diagnosed with something called Asperger's syndrome. Apparently it's a type of autism...

Does anyone have any experience in this? What are the problems likely to arise and how best to deal with them? Any info is greatly appreciated. If you are worried about privacy use PM!

Thanks so much

-GM

[Bovon]

http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/
http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/aswhatisit.html
http://www.aspergers.com/
http://users.wpi.edu/~trek/aspergers.html
http://www.autism.org/asperger.html
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aspergers_pr.html
http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~cns/
http://www.maapservices.org/
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~asperger/
http://info.med.yale.edu/chldstdy/autism/aspergers.html


http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Asperger%27s+syndrome&btnG=Google+Search
Results 1 - 10 of about 469,000 for Asperger's syndrome

[zybch]

Its really nothing. At least compared to autism. The main problem your friend might have is that now he is aware of having this syndrome he'll play up to it and end up believing that he has it to a far worse degree than he actually has.
This behaviour is similar to the effect placebo medications have, the patient believes they will do some good and miraculously they actually do seem to help, even though they are just sugar pills, but in your friend's case he knows he has this thing and may turn an otherwise mild case of it into something more extreme.
Because his doctors will give him a list of symptoms to keep his eye out for, he'll be more likely to spot them, or even develop previously non-existant ones.

[GrefMofovich]

Thank you much, bovon and zybch! Well searched, but believe me I had about 20 tabs' worth of google results open 2 minutes after posting.

I don't know why I came here first. Just figured we techies collectively know more than anyone, and I had to know if anyone knows someone like that and what happens. Well I'm somewhat reassured having read more on it. Seems it's a more common condition than I believed, and it doesn't mean my friend will turn into Rain Man.

I'm still concerned though because well, of his history and situation. His antisocial tendencies... have grown to a point where they cripple him in life, quite frankly. Moreover he has said that work is literally painful for him now, yet at one time he was employed without incident. It's ironic because if you've known him as long as me, he's a sweet guy and **** brilliant in many ways.

So I guess I'll give these online support groups a look and if anyone has something to add, please don't hesitate. :)

Having said all that, yeah I've been away for a long while! I'm glad to recognize a lot of familiar names: caustic, fishybob, bovon and zybch of course, and all the rest. I'm sure your posts are as fascinating as always, I'll just have to find the time.

-GM

[mpc2]

Some think...it's not definitve...that perhaps Albert Einstein suffered from it too.

[GrefMofovich]

About meds it looks like theres a new one called concerta that the docs want to try out, that's supposed to be real good. Otherwise no developments yet, but I'm really grateful for the replies. Just I'm keeping my eye on things and my fingers crossed for now.

-GM

[urdvurk]

I read the other day that maybe Bill Gates has Asperger's too, and that it is related to "geekiness".

Link:
http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/05/31/202207&tid=191&tid=14

I wouldn't worry about it too much. After all, nothing has changed, and he is still the same best friend you had before. Making a diagnosis is just putting a name to something that is already there.

[GrefMofovich]

Little update for those interested: After a 2nd appointment with the specialist, my buddy's diagnosis remains the same. He says the medicine seems to be actually having some effect unlike the other meds he's taken. He feels "stimulated". :eek:

-GM

[j.m@talk]

We need a expert here :(

Is the money good ?

[zybch]

You silly sod. I bet you were really pleased with yourself to be the last poster in all the threads.

[mireland]

Originally posted by zybch
You silly sod. I bet you were really pleased with yourself to be the last poster in all the threads.

congrats you're name is all the way on the page...well it was til I posted this...:rolleyes:

[zybch]

I can't let JM hog the lime light.