Is autism a mental disease?

[Chiasm]

Honestly, The real issue is with people thinking Aspergers is a handicap. Anyone who has any sort of disability the worst thing you can ever do is tell yourself you have a impairment. I wish more people would realize that, if you view yourself as different or broken then you are limiting what you can do.

Being Deaf/Mute I can safety say I can do pretty much anything someone else can, it takes more work and thought then it might take others. Kind of a small rambling here but really with some of the comments figure people should realize, The worst thing you can do is just give up.

 

[Boris Goodenough]

It's a disorder (which has already been mentioned to death by now) but I see it as a part of the grand personality spectrum, rather than outliners.

 

[Eponet]

Calling it a 'disease' doesn't really sir well with me. I'd call it more of a condition, like your gender.

 

[Jaythulhu]

No. It's a Neurological Condition, much like Multiple Sclerosis is a muscular condition, not a mental illness. A person with Autism Spectrum's brain is physically wired differently to someone without. It's not a matter of an over/under production of chemicals, or stresses that have shorted things out like mental illnesses are.

 

[Wardnath]

Deleting 'cause I'm not in the mood to be quoted to death again.

 

[Colour Scientist]

It seems likely you underestimate the effects of serious autism. You claim to have understood your condition of aspergers since you were 8, my autistic brother was still learning to put more than two words together in a sentence at that age. A large component of aspergers is the lack of 'theory of mind factor' it shares with autism, but you cannot ignore the massive social and language deficiency that occurs in autistics from birth.

The lack of 'theory of mind' is one of the major symptoms of autism, hence why some who are severely autistic never grasp speech.

Autism is a huge spectrum disorder Asbergers is to severe autism what a cough is to pneumonia. Asbergers seems to be in vogue now as something to diagnose when someone is socially withdrawn. So many doctors are way too over-zealous with their conclusions.

 

[TehCookie]

I hate calling people autistic because it is such a wide spectrum disorder that it doesn't mean anything. My cousin has autism. No actually he's smart but just incredibly shy, he can still talk to people he just needs to find a topic. There was this autistic girl at my school. She would have conversations with mythological creatures in her head while being ignorant of the world and before autism was introduced, she would probably be called mentally retarded. I don't know why people hate that word so much, my friend's aunt is a retard. She acts like a 4 year old (being 50) and can't function on her own. Back in the day she was diagnosed with mental retardation. Autism is just some PC bullshit to get kids to stop picking on the retards, so they diagnose some normal people with autism so not all autistic kids are retards. Face it, most kids in school still hate them no matter what you call them.

 

[MelasZepheos_v1legacy]

By definition, maybe.

A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism, often constured to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms.

So it could be, because it does affect the organism, and possibly the brain (I'm not up on the latest medical research into it, so I don't know if it's been proven that the brain chemistry is significantly altered); and it does have specific signs and symptoms.

But it could not be, because it affects the mind, and is thus in that weird limbo of conditions which aren't technically covered by medical definitions which are obssessed with finding a problem in the physical form. Sometimes it is only the metaphysical which is affected, in this case the mind but not the brain.

If you're asking should autism be treated medically, and should people who have it be afforded treatment and care as if they had a physical problem requiring care (I can't think of any equivalents right now, but I know there would be some) then I think yes.

I am also high functioning autistic, but I didn't know until I was about sixteen, when I went into therapy for entirely unrelated reasons, and it ended up coming out along with a whole bunch of other stuff.

Looking back it seems obvious that I had autism, because all of the signs were there, analytic, problems connecting emotionally with other people, problems with understanding problems when they didn't relate directly to me, and my mum confessed that she had often thought about having me checked, so I could receive help if needed, but I got lucky with high functioning autism and thus was good at learning behaviours if nothing else. I might not have understood why I should act a certain way in a certain situation, but I knew that I had to so I did.

Speaking from my own experiences, had I known earlier, and had someone who could tell me what it would be like, and especially that it wasn't something that was wrong with me, which was what I thought for a long time, it might have made things easier. Growing up thinking you're different to everyone is one thing, but growing up with the nagging sensation that you are not like other people, and having it reiterated to you every day becomes oppressive and disheartening. I was a much better person when I knew and was receiving help.

 

[tahrey]

If I was forced to pigeonhole it, I'd probably say an extreme personality trait or even disorder, or indeed a mental disorder, of currently unknown source*... I'm sort of searching for a word that better describes what I actually mean (like "differently abled" instead of "disabled"... "differently ordered"? different balance of skills/abilities/mentality to the point that it can cause difficulty in interacting with those in the middle ground?)... forgive me, according to the one and only assessment I've had so far, I have a particular flavour of dyslexic affectation which is maybe a similar kind of thing. It's only a problem if you're flung into a situation that demands you be good with it, can help you in other unexpected areas, but most of the time isn't that much of an issue.

(mine isn't the typical reading-and-spelling "brain typos" kind of dyslexia where the words letters almost seem to swim around - obviously given my output - but a recall-and-processing issue on a deeper level. So long as the communication is fairly simple like this I'm ok; when it becomes more formal or analytical or needs more wordplay, that's when things get unstuck. I can do it ... just more slowly and crudely, and with a big dollop of frustration)

* therefore I haven't said it's a "developmental" or "hereditary"/"genetic" condition.... ah! CONDITION. That's the more neutral "difference" word I was after. Your mind works differently, is all. Over here, slow but broad ... I'm given to believe it's maybe a matter of sharper but narrower for aspergers and autistics. So focussing on one activity goes well - benefit - but complicated social situations are hard to keep a grasp of and follow with any effectiveness - disadvantage.

Mind I also said its an advantage of focus, rather than increased cleverness or intelligence. Mental conditions can cover people of all points on the ability curve with that one affected part excluded. It can have an amplifying or ameliorating effect but it doesn't mean that all people with it are stupid/superintelligent any more than their having blue eyes means the same thing. It merely affects how you channel and use that innate ability.

 

[DragonChi]

I have asperger syndrome, or high-functioning autism (to what is considered a mild degree).

I think autism and aspergers is vastly over-diagnosed depending on country. In places like the USA there's an obsession with diagnosis and people seem to throw around the "A word" like hotcakes compared to other countries. Many other countries only have a few thousand Aspergers cases each. I can see the temptation that both patients and doctors may have to want to "name that illness" - for the doctor it means they can prescribe things and feel like they've done something worthwhile, and not feel like they're profited from wasting the patient's time, for the patient it's extra comfort because if they can define something and put a label on it, it then becomes easier to deal with both practically and psychologically, it's better than running around thinking to yourself "something's wrong with me but I don't know what". In my opinion though, most autism cases that are "mild" are in fact not autism at all, rather they're just someone who hasn't learned certain social skills but has instead invested that mental energy somewhere else, like a pursuit or hobby etc. I've worked with genuinely autistic people before and there's sure one hell of a difference between them and someone capable of making an articulate argument on an Internet forum. Just going on the standards of definition for autism where I live, actual austistic people who are even aware enough of themselves to say "yes, I'm autistic" and understand exactly what that means, let alone type about it, are shockingly rare. So it's very weird for me to see post after post on Internet forums from people claiming autism.

The brain is like a muscle - exercise certain parts of it,and those parts will grow. Don't use certain parts and those parts will atrophy from lack of use. In the case of "mild" autistic people, I think that a lot of these people are just a bit socially stunted, just like I was when growing up, and if those people made themselves interact more socially they would probably get over their "autism" quicksmart given enough time and practice. They'd probably also correspondingly get worse at some of their special "autistic" skills as the brain rewires itself accordingly.

so whats the difference between autism and aspergers?

anyway So what your basically saying is that some people are just socially inept, do you still think high-functioning or less severe cases exist? or are they just socially inept?

I have seen people who are more severe they don't seem very aware of their surroundings

Coming from someone who has aspergers, I can tell you with experience what the difference is. In most if not all cases, Aspergers is a less intense cousin of Autism. There are a lot of similarities which is why it's hard to tell them apart, but most people that have aspergers are pretty well off in terms of normal human functionality, maybe just more eccentric than others. Whereas Autistic people tend to be in the more serious situations where there are a lot of things that they aren't able to handle by themselves. Granted, anyone who has autism is entirely different than one another, it affects each person differently. So It's really hard to put any one symptom as being common.

For me specifically, I have bad short term memory, and I think a lot slower that most people which also affects my speech. so I have to make sure i talk slowly or I will slur. apart from that,it boils down to daily preferences and quirks. I also believe that having aspergers did give me an upper hand as being an artist. I seem to be naturally gifted at it, I see things how most people don't. Anyway, I don't know if that helped you or not, just thought i'd give it a shot.

 

[Ih8pkmn]

According to certain insurance companies who refuse coverage for mental illness: yes.

According to some shrinks: yes.

According to someone who has aspergers: Yes. A mental illness is defined as a illness that disrupts a persons thinking,feeling, moods, and ability to relate to others. It's made my life hell. I have to take several pills for it, and I'm endlessly mocked at school because of the way I act.

On the plus side, it is a good cover for weird behavior, and I don't *always* act like the younger version of Sheldon.

 

[kickyourass]

I think of it as more of an abnormality then a disease, if that makes sense, and I think people SHOULD take more care around lower funtioning autistics. Not patronize, just be aware of them, it's just polite.

The only real "annoyance" I guess you'd call it, I have in regards to autism and Aspergers, is when some jack off acts in a completely unacceptable way and uses their disorder (Which they probably don't even have) as an excuse. I cannot tell you how much that pisses me off.

 

[Samsont]

No, it is not a disease. As it can not be spread, it is gained on birth. It's unkown by scientists whether it's passed on by genes or if it is random.

 

[Samsont]

Snip

 

[scorptatious]

I see autism as more of a disorder than a disease. It's not contagious, so why would it be considered a disease? Of course that doesn't mean it shouldn't be cured. I'd hate for a kid to go through what me and lots of other people with autism go through as children.

But yeah, I have a mild form of autism. I can definitely agree with you about people giving condescending looks or pity if they find out about you having autism. I used to get nervous sometimes whenever I'm talking to someone I don't know that well. Because I'm afraid I may say something that may tip them off about my disorder and as a result, give them the wrong impression about me.

I don't do that as much anymore, but sometimes the feeling creeps up on me now and than.

EDIT:

The only real "annoyance" I guess you'd call it, I have in regards to autism and Aspergers, is when some jack off acts in a completely unacceptable way and uses their disorder (Which they probably don't even have) as an excuse. I cannot tell you how much that pisses me off.

Than you'll absolutely despise this guy: http://www.sonichu.com/cwcki/Main_Page

There are very few people I hate as much as this man.

 

[Xan Krieger]

If it was a disease then wouldn't I be able to spread it? Trust me, if I could spread it every human on the planet would have it eventually and I would finally be considered normal.

I also don't like the term disorder, as that implies there is something wrong with me. I was one of the smartest people in my high school, I took a college level class about world war 2 and aced it easily. It was my opinion that those who didn't have asperger's syndrome were the ones with the disorder, as they tended to be less intelligent than me by a good degree. Still remember the time in my 11th grade math class we had a pop quiz. I didn't use a calculator, didn't show my work, but finished first and got 100% right. The class had the nerve to accuse me of cheating.

 

[Vault101]

I have asperger syndrome, or high-functioning autism (to what is considered a mild degree).

I think autism and aspergers is vastly over-diagnosed depending on country. In places like the USA there's an obsession with diagnosis and people seem to throw around the "A word" like hotcakes compared to other countries. Many other countries only have a few thousand Aspergers cases each. I can see the temptation that both patients and doctors may have to want to "name that illness" - for the doctor it means they can prescribe things and feel like they've done something worthwhile, and not feel like they're profited from wasting the patient's time, for the patient it's extra comfort because if they can define something and put a label on it, it then becomes easier to deal with both practically and psychologically, it's better than running around thinking to yourself "something's wrong with me but I don't know what". In my opinion though, most autism cases that are "mild" are in fact not autism at all, rather they're just someone who hasn't learned certain social skills but has instead invested that mental energy somewhere else, like a pursuit or hobby etc. I've worked with genuinely autistic people before and there's sure one hell of a difference between them and someone capable of making an articulate argument on an Internet forum. Just going on the standards of definition for autism where I live, actual austistic people who are even aware enough of themselves to say "yes, I'm autistic" and understand exactly what that means, let alone type about it, are shockingly rare. So it's very weird for me to see post after post on Internet forums from people claiming autism.

The brain is like a muscle - exercise certain parts of it,and those parts will grow. Don't use certain parts and those parts will atrophy from lack of use. In the case of "mild" autistic people, I think that a lot of these people are just a bit socially stunted, just like I was when growing up, and if those people made themselves interact more socially they would probably get over their "autism" quicksmart given enough time and practice. They'd probably also correspondingly get worse at some of their special "autistic" skills as the brain rewires itself accordingly.

so whats the difference between autism and aspergers?

anyway So what your basically saying is that some people are just socially inept, do you still think high-functioning or less severe cases exist? or are they just socially inept?

I have seen people who are more severe they don't seem very aware of their surroundings

Coming from someone who has aspergers, I can tell you with experience what the difference is. In most if not all cases, Aspergers is a less intense cousin of Autism. There are a lot of similarities which is why it's hard to tell them apart, but most people that have aspergers are pretty well off in terms of normal human functionality, maybe just more eccentric than others. Whereas Autistic people tend to be in the more serious situations where there are a lot of things that they aren't able to handle by themselves. Granted, anyone who has autism is entirely different than one another, it affects each person differently. So It's really hard to put any one symptom as being common.

For me specifically, I have bad short term memory, and I think a lot slower that most people which also affects my speech. so I have to make sure i talk slowly or I will slur. apart from that,it boils down to daily preferences and quirks. I also believe that having aspergers did give me an upper hand as being an artist. I seem to be naturally gifted at it, I see things how most people don't. Anyway, I don't know if that helped you or not, just thought i'd give it a shot.

thanks, Im not sure I agree with anything that isn't severe being bioled down too "your just socially inept" I think there are socially inept people and there are people with autism/aspergers

 

[Aetera]

I've never heard anyone refer to it as a disease. It's a disorder. Autistic people aren't diseased. My little brother is Autistic. If you've ever seen the movie What's Eating Gilbert Grape, it's almost exactly at that level of Autism for him. He's still extremely childlike at 19, just functional enough to have earned his high school diploma(taking an extra year, though), but he'll never be able to live or be on his own. I'd never consider him to be diseased, though. Ever. That's a horrible way to think about it. He has a mental disorder. That's all.

Autism is a spectrum. There are the people that just have a few social quirks, the people who are lost in their own worlds and are completely unable of communication, and everyone in between.

 

[IAmTheVoid]

My brother has Asperger's and he got incredibly depressed about it (he was diagosed when he was 8, got depressed when he was about 17/18) but, once he'd pulled himself out of it, realised that he shouldn't be sad about who he was. He still gets bouts of it from time to time, especially when people with Asperger's or any disability are made the butt of some joke (especially the 'arguing on the internet is like winning the Special Olympics' thing, and Obama's gaffe especially pissed him off), which I can sympathise with.

I also know someone who self-diagnosed themselves. He was a complete prick. He just 'knew' he had Asperger's and never went to a doctor to get an official checking. I hate self-diagnosers. I would 100% understand if they thought they were and then get it checked out, but to not do so just makes you look ingenuous.