Aspergers · 4:21am Nov 10th, 2015
For anypony who's been paying attention, Thomas a pretty bad case of social awkwardness, something I had previously described as depression. However, that may not be the full story. As I imagine to be the case, stories revolving around characters with such conditions are rarely written unless the writer has some personal connection to the condition, either possessing it or knowing someone who does. In this case, I base Thomas' reactions after my own experiences.
After a conversation with my parents after an especially bad day in which I confessed I might be a misinthope, someone who hates people in general, my mother suggested that I might have aspergers instead. After doing a bit of research, I think she may be right. I have an almost crippling social awkwardness, immediately shutting down the moment someone tries approaching me in a manner I don't like, even if I consciously recognize the manner as friendly. I consciously observe my own flawed interpretation that virtually every word spoken to me is a word spoken against me, with the exception of the handful of people I view as acquaintances, but find myself powerless to not let this interpretation color my view of this person or persons. I prefer the routine and almost mechanical interactions I have with the customers at my work over even the most benign words exchanged with all but two of my co-workers. I can recognize sarcasm, but I still feel like any negative opinion spoken is one of sincerity and it baffles me when people speak ill of one another behind their backs only to interact with convincing sincerity later. Oh, and I freaking love routines.
While I have not been diagnosed, and probably will never be able to bring myself to do so, especially if it costs, I feel I meet the criteria. As such, I'd like to formally announce that Thomas also has aspergers syndrome.
Be very careful with attempting to diagnose yourself. Unless you hear from someone with real training, do NOT make any major life choices out of such assumptions. It is far too easy to unknowingly make an erroneous assessment, unaware of subtleties or extraneous factors that a professional would know to be aware of. Consider all forms of self-diagnosis a starting point to talk about with an actual doctor. While you might be bang on, you might also not realize some important detail that can have a dramatic impact.
Personally, I have no exposure to Asperger's Syndrome, so I will not share any opinion relative to it. All I really hope you do is talk to someone with the training and experience to give you a confident confirmation or clarification. As often happens with such personal situations, an outside perspective (especially a trained one) can be invaluable in keeping us from making mistakes born of being inexperienced. It's all too easy to find answers we want to be true on some level, for good or bad. Even if you made otherwise harmless choices based on your own assessment, you might unknowingly be pigeon-holing yourself and missing out on otherwise good things you could pursue.
While I don't know the specifics to your situation, there are tons of resources and places you can go in most modern countries. Being from the US myself, I know there are tons of options that reduce, minimize, or even negate costs of speaking to someone that can help. I'm personally seeing someone at no cost right now for my own struggles. Google up options in your area and you will be surprised how much is likely close by.
Hey man welcome to the club. I was diagnosed with Aspergers and ADHD pretty young, I think I was 8, and after a few years of medication(For the ADHD) and social interaction I feel I've come very far with people in general. Sometimes I can be a bit naive, emotionally distant or hard to get but I'm a lot more outgoing and easier to be around/stand other people being around me. I admit I write some characters like myself, only OCs who are based off me, but I also try to write from other peoples perspectives and I think I can pull it off. I'm kinda the opposite with that routine over human interaction, personally I'm a lot more creative then analytical or structured. Honestly, I think if I lived a life of routine I'd fucking hate everything...Anyway, Aspergers isn't something that can control your life, it's just who you are and honestly I wouldn't want to be with it.
Thank you for your concern, but I can assure you that this assessment will not be influencing any of my long term life choices.
3533076 Nice to meet a kindred spirit.
3533329 This is actually a good example of what I was talking about. You might think this is a good natured joke, but all I can think of when I look at this is "If this douche hasn't learned that sarcasm doesn't translate through text, then he can only be an insensitive dick."
3533368 It seems like this is a pretty big deal for you so I thought I'd share my perspective on things, hope it helped in some way
I have a close friend and author here that does have Aspergers and I must say I am vary privileged to have them chat with me every day knowing the hell they go threw every day.
I do not know way they picked me to chat with but after several mounts I have found them to be a extremely good author and a vary funny pony to chat with.
if you think you have Aspergers I say go see a specialist and be sure as it may be something much simpler.
Harts Fire
3533371
Did I hurt your feelings?
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3533398 At the earliest convenience.
3533414 Everyone seems to be missing the main point of this journal, that being the character of Thomas.
3533076 Lucky bastard. I was diagnosed at around 16 and got next to zero help cause I fell in the exact spot to qualify for less then the minimal help they'd cover.
3534044 that's bullshit. Ffrom what I've heard most kids in Australia that show traits or signs of aspergers get tested pretty early.
3534306 I've always been beaten with the short end of the stick my entire life. Really wasn't diagnosed until I was 16. Early on I was diagnosed with the standard ADD. I even have to fight the insurance every fucking year in order to continue getting my medication. Even though it's been well documented, they want me to use generic even though it sends my moods and thoughts to darkness.
3534306
I got diagnosed in fourth grade, but one of my parents is a doctor, so... -shrug-
3534436 Again, bullshit. I remember I used to use some generic meds for my ADHD and other conditions that caused me to be super depressed and introverted. My dad straight up told me once he almost cried when I started laughing again, that's how bad of an effect the meds had on me. Thankfully, I got onto a new brand that worked wonders and I haven't had to use meds in a long time.
3534926 It's always best to be diagnosed early on instead of when your leaving school or something.
3535151 I have to get a "special approval" each year in order to stay on the name brand. But once in a while they like to fight me over it causing me to be without my meds for a few weeks every 1-3 years.
3535194 "Now, we know you're dealing with a condition that needs financial and medical help and it is our job to help you...But do you really need it?" - Every asshole insurance agency.
3535369 I know right. Absolutely can't use the generic meds. They kinda have a tendency to give me suicidal and can even give worst effects. My Dental insurance basically covers the yearly visit and cleaning. Absolutely everything else is out of pocket now. Even when it was covered, I had to get 2 crowns on the upper rear molars, 1 on each side. On the right side a quarter of my tooth fell out that included the filling for a cavity. Had to fight the insurance for 4 months because they claimed I wanted crowns for "cosmetic reasons". I wanted 2 crowns for "cosmetic reasons" in the very back of my mouth where even I can't see in a mirror? If I needed another root canal right now, that would be well over $700 out of pocket
3535407 Ffffuuuucccckkkk, Now I feel real lucky to have a medi-care card. We Australians got it pretty good when it comes to insurance. As long as you don't routinely fuck yourself up somehow and you have a good track record you can get cover for almost everything. Idk the specifics but Aus definitely has a better health care system going on. I'm just glad I no longer need meds, as I said before I used to take meds that made me super depressed and unhappy 24/7. "cosmetic reasons". Right, because if I want to make myself look even better, I'm gonna waste money on making the teeth no one can see better! Seriously, saying that that was for cosmetic reasons is a big cop out.