Mental health

iuventus

I briefly embrace my negative thoughts, kiss them with love for where they have led me, and gently blow them away into the atmosphere. Then, I replace them with words of love, acceptance, prosperity, etc. It's really soul cleansing.

The_Carpathian

Watching the doc on telly about depression, mental illness and suicide in football.

Actually really good - very open and insightful.

iuventus

It is a healthier and far more enlightening experience to watch and learn from/about those who enjoy mental health rather than those who suffer mental illness. It was an innovative approach to mental health in the mid- to late- 20th Century; people seem to have forgotten it. I guess it doesn't sell pharmaceuticals as well.

cw37frapp

I watched the documentary on BBC One last night about footballers suffering from depression. Clarke Carlisle has really been through tough times. Hes come through it. Now he helps others. Even money does not stop mental health issues.

Jozzy81

i'll admit i'm not that good at reading or spelling & alot of words i simply don't know what they mean, a few of you already know this but a few years ago i could'nt read or spell (only copy) i still struggle with some of your comments especially long comments like tales of us reviews by us thread for e.g.....

thanks for the dictionary or i'd be lost big time...

Halloween_Jack · Post edited by Halloween_Jack at 2014-02-03 16:45:15

Had a quick read-through of this old thread, and the first thing that I noticed was that, unfortunately, a lot of the contributing members no longer post on the forum. I do hope folklore, Cervus, chokka and the other absentees return soon. Oh, and of course I hope that everyone concerned has a reasonably firm grip on their own personal black dog... to use Carpy's befitting turn of phrase!

I wonder if anyone here has ever thought they might suffer from (some degree of) Asperger's syndrome? I believe it's now accepted (but do correct me if I'm wrong, or making naive assumptions) that there is a continuum of symptoms... and that these come under the heading of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I know I have exhibited (or do exhibit) a fair few of the traits associated with ASD/Asperger's, and heard there were on-line tests which offer an opportunity for a bit of self-diagnosis. A prominent one is that at http://www.rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php (Yes, I cringed a bit at the term "aspie".) Of course these sort of tests are no substitute for an evaluation by a specialist, but I'd heard they can give you a reasonable pointer as to whether you are "on the spectrum" or not.

Anyway, my diagnosis turns out to be... about as non-conclusive as you can get! lol
There are 3 possible result-summaries:

1) You are very likely an Aspie
2) You are very likely neurotypical
3) You seem to have both Aspie and neurotypical traits

I fell into the 3rd category, with my numerical results being:

Your Aspie score: 98 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 97 of 200

There are lots of other people's figures online (eg here: http://musingsofanaspie.com/2012/11/20/taking-the-aspie-quiz/). I did find it interesting that my 2 ratings were closer together than just about everybody else's on that webpage.

For what it's worth (perhaps not a lot), the quiz provides you with a "spiderweb" chart of your results. Looking at mine, it seems that my Aspie tendencies are mostly to do with 'social' and 'talent' issues. The latter I think relates to how obsessive you can be when pursuing work/hobbies. So it looks like I may not have Asperger's itself, but some pretty atypical/extreme social characteristics. Well, I knew that! They are things I can work on, but it's hard for me to get the motivation. I will chat to my doctor about it.

By the way, it's interesting that the creators of 'The Bridge' have thus far refrained from labelling their Saga Norén character as an Aspie.

Whickwithy

Just to note that Follksie showed up for a one-shot not long ago.

Halloween_Jack

^ Oh yes, indeed. And we hear from her quite a lot on Twitter. But it would be good if she'd pop back here more often. :-)

iuventus

There are so many things wrong with that on-line Autism test that I couldn't even begin...

ping · Post edited by ping at 2014-02-03 17:30:38

HJ...

don't put much stock in on line tests like that, ASD is complex. very complex. many doctors and specialists struggle to agree regarding diagnosis at times (though sometimes i think thats about money). everyone in the world has traits that can be fitted onto the spectrum somewhere. i've worked with people ASD for over a decade and i would take on line tests with a pinch of salt. if you really want to know you should see your doctor. but maybe have a think first about what you expect from knowing? how much of a problem is it for you? (you don't have to answer that, i mean just consider it) that kind of thing.

also... don't feel like you have to cringe at the term aspie, its really common and many people with Aspergers use it to self identify.

iuventus

Thanks for handling that, Ping. I feel much better now.

Halloween_Jack

OK, thanks for the comments, guys, Trying that test was my first shot at any sort of diagnosis or analysis of the condition (or lack of).

As for what I want(ed) out of a diagnosis... I reckon most people would be curious as to how their behaviour would be interpreted, and I'm much the same. I wasn't particularly hoping or expecting to be told I'm Aspergian, but for some people - it does give them comfort... to at least know they are not alone with their atypical behaviour.

iuventus

If you're concerned with how others perceive your behavior, you most likely do not manifest Asperger syndrome.

iuventus

In fact, almost definitely not.

Halloween_Jack

^ I take your point. Can I ask... have you ever thought yourself to exhibit any of the associated traits? (I'm just curious, not prying)

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