aspergers vs ADD

[markjay12345]

Hi. I have recently stumbled upon the condition known as ADD/ADHD and it really struck a chord with me.

Im 33 now, but I have known there has been something not right with me for a long time. I was a daydreamer at school and was very slow to learn to read, tie shoelaces, ect. After I moved schools I was bullied pretty bad, and the teachers said I thought of lots of ideas and was very imaginative but never managed to complete anything. At high school, I never did homework, would talk a lot in class, but I could not keep my mind on track.

At university, I switched majors a billion times because I couldnt (and still cant) decide and focus on a career path. I went to class but couldnt pay attention or do much studying and graduated with a 2.9 GPA. I have not been able to hold down a job for very long because I get bored within weeks which turns into fatigue and depression. Right now I live with my mum, trying to get my life together and figure out why I am the way I am.

I have been diagnosed in the past with bipolar II, but I have never had any manic symptoms so i doubt this. I have also been told I could have aspergers because I was good with computers as a kid, and tend to get obsessed with things for a short time. I pace almost non-stop. I cant bear to be in the house. My mind wont ever seem to stop going no matter what and I cant stop moving. I have problems reading also, because I just get bored and skip ahead or stop altogether. Boredom is a major problem for me.

I am wondering which diagnosis is more appropriate for me - Aspergers or ADD. I live in the UK and doctors here dont seem to give a crap whats wrong with you, as long as you get out of their face as soon as possible. Does any of what I written sound familiar to anyone?

[wsmac]

Check out wrongplanet.net for Asperger's.
It's a place just like this, but really geared for Aspies.
I've been a member there for a few years longer than here, but I don't have AS.
I certainly relate to some of the symptoms, but I'm definitely an Adder.

From what you describe about yourself, I would not think you are Aspie at all.

But then, I'm not going to be able to make a very good 'diagnosis' of you over the internet... neither is anyone else.
We can remark on what you describe though.

While Aspies do seem to be high functioning, not all of them are.
Aspies can also be very focused on particular things, issues, but there are other things that set Aspies apart from Adders.

Many Aspies I have heard from tend to feel discomfort with direct eye contact. They tend to not like someone walking up and touching them without warning, and chit-chat is something they just don't get, don't do, and would rather avoid at all costs.

Aspies can be VERY opinionated.
They come across as blunt, rude, shy, and other similar negative things to NT's.
But, the one Aspie in my family, and the friend/co-worker of mine who is Aspie, are really great people once I figured out how to look past their own unique traits (much as I hope other people do for me).

Aspies can also have trouble 'reading faces'. They might not be alert to visual cues like many other people are. They don't get jokes as often as most folks. They seem to prefer to be alone or in the company of as few people as possible.

Just like when defining someone with ADD/HD, there are many traits which an Aspie can have, and not all Aspies have the same exact traits or to the same exact degree.

Spend some time in both worlds (ADD Forums and WrongPlanet) and perhaps you'll see where you fit best.

Go to a professional if/when you can, or want to, to get a firm idea.

Outside of that... embrace your uniqueness, learn what works best for you and what gives you the most trouble in your life and why.

In the end... it's really not about living with a label... it's assimilating to society's rules, and being happy in life.

At least... that's what I believe..

[fracturedstory]

Originally Posted by markjay12345

I have also been told I could have aspergers because I was good with computers as a kid, and tend to get obsessed with things for a short time. I pace almost non-stop. I cant bear to be in the house. My mind wont ever seem to stop going no matter what and I cant stop moving. I have problems reading also,

The thing I've noticed about AS obsessions vs. ADD obsessions is AS have one or two things that they are really obsessed about, completely absorbed in it and talk about nothing else. With ADD there's many interests and they're for a shorter time. Someone with AS will learn and remember almost everything about their special interest in detail - they're brilliant long term memory helps.

AS has got a lot more to do with social issues and repetitive behavior. Even though ADD and AS are similar some of the similar symptoms are stronger in each disorder.
ADD is more about poor concentration, hyperactivity and impulsiveness and AS is more about a lack of social skills and has more in common with classic autism, just without a verbal delay and lack of self help skills.
Or you could be lucky enough to have both. That is poor social skills and very strong issues with concentration.
I talk to a lot of AS and ADD people and AS complain about concentration/hyperactivity/impulse less and ADD don't talk about not being able to understand people or lacking empathy as much as those with AS. With AS there's usually poor motor skills too. They're also more logical thinking and they're opinions are very much set in stone.
I should know I have AS. I'm being evaluated for ADD in three days.

[fracturedstory]

Originally Posted by wsmac

chit-chat is something they just don't get, don't do, and would rather avoid at all costs.

Amen brother/sister.

Originally Posted by wsmac

Aspies can be VERY opinionated.

So true.

Originally Posted by wsmac

Aspies can also have trouble 'reading faces'. They might not be alert to visual cues like many other people are. They don't get jokes as often as most folks.

I always thought I was good at body language but after doing several tests I found out I'm not that good. I think I can understand tone and face expressions a bit better than my AS brethren though. But postures and certain movement with arms/legs I just don't notice.

[CR721]

I actually have both symptoms. I've been diagnosed with ADD but a lot of my issues are with social. I can't stand eye contact. I do it at work rarely with customers to not seem stuck up, when someone ticks me off or if I know them pretty well.

I totally avoid situations of short talk and if a group are talking I tend to look the other way. I was in a big mood boost and did the Facebook thing and looked up and friended a lot of my friends on there but I don't talk to them. I've been on Myspace, Facebook and Twitter a total if a close guess would be 80 times. And that's actually clicking on the sites, not each time on there for 2 or so hours.

No good having both symptoms, just makes you feel hopeless at times, also depression doesn't help in the factoring.

[Amtram]

We've got a family full of both. In fact, even though my brother was diagnosed with ADHD way back in the early 70s, looking at him now (and one of my sisters and my dad) I'm thinking that none of the ADD treatments he ever got did any good because he's not ADD.

Biggest difference I notice? It's not just the eye contact/touch thing. Initially, ASD people and ADD people can have a problem with that. ASD people might get better with that over time with people they like and see a lot, ADD people might do the same, just a little faster. It's the conversation.

Try interrupting someone with ADD. You can change the subject. At some point later on, the ADD person will remember what he/she wanted to say, but it might not be while you're still there.

Try interrupting someone with Asperger's. No matter what you say, no matter how much of a non-sequitur it is, the Asperger's person will change the subject back to what he/she wanted to talk about in the first place.

My undiagnosed brother would follow me around the house, to the point of talking to me though the bathroom door while I was on the commode, to get me to listen to him talk about something he liked. We had a family reunion this summer, and when he and my one sister were around, there were a limited number of subjects that kept being discussed, over and over.

There are other things that distinguish the two, but this is the big one that I notice now that I've spent a lot more time with people who've been diagnosed with one or the other. YMMV.

[markjay12345]

Thanks for all your responses. I guess I am thinking I do not have aspergers. I am a very nervous person a lot of the time, very neurotic. Sometimes when I am feeling particular nervous, its hard to look people in the eye because of the need to just look around the room in general. But I like talking to people, much better than sitting still anyway.

[windsoul]

Could've sworn these were the same threads: http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80217 . Anyways, hope you find it useful too.

Cheers!

[fracturedstory]

Originally Posted by Amtram

Try interrupting someone with Asperger's. No matter what you say, no matter how much of a non-sequitur it is, the Asperger's person will change the subject back to what he/she wanted to talk about in the first place.

Not all with AS. I was a quiet child and only talked in the home, but very little. Maybe I do now at times talk about things that are uninteresting to people, but I've learnt to stop and let others speak. I suppose I can often go back to the same habit of talking non-stop but I never really bring back the same subject. I sometimes feel that I want to but I know that when the subject changes people don't like to talk about something mentioned 5-10 minutes ago.
I suppose someone with AS that doesn't notice their behaviour as rude will not change it or perhaps they cannot change it. Also children will have it a lot worse than adults. There are both extraverted and introverted people with AS. The extraverted ones are the ones you're describing and the introverted ones are the ones that are unable to talk to people and rather stay in their own little world. Usually they're female, but not always.

There are some traits I don't fit with AS, yet I fit enough symptoms to be diagnosed twice. I don't fit the stereotype though. I have an average IQ, didn't read, speak or walk early. Was an underachiever in school and didn't even go to any effort to make friends. I think there's a bit of classic autism, AS and ADHD in there.

[humandefault]

Originally Posted by CR721

I actually have both symptoms. I've been diagnosed with ADD but a lot of my issues are with social. I can't stand eye contact. I do it at work rarely with customers to not seem stuck up, when someone ticks me off or if I know them pretty well.

I totally avoid situations of short talk and if a group are talking I tend to look the other way. I was in a big mood boost and did the Facebook thing and looked up and friended a lot of my friends on there but I don't talk to them. I've been on Myspace, Facebook and Twitter a total if a close guess would be 80 times. And that's actually clicking on the sites, not each time on there for 2 or so hours.

No good having both symptoms, just makes you feel hopeless at times, also depression doesn't help in the factoring.

I am definitely not Asperger's but I have the same problems. It's just, I don't know, there's too much to look at to make eye contact. Plus, I always wonder "Am I looking at them too long? Does it look like I'm staring? Do I not blink enough? Do I blink too much? How do other people hold eye contact? Why isn't it awkward for them? Do I only think it's awkward because I think about it too much? Do other people just "do" it instead? Oh my god, I'm not even paying attention! CAN THEY TELL?? AHHH!!!" lol I also don't get close to people emotionally. I ALSO was diagnosed as Bipolar II but I know I'm not, for the same reason as you. I have depression and have had some tough times with my life, a lot of it related to ADD. I am afraid to get close to people because I figure I'll mess it up somehow or that they'll think I'm crazy, and most people are just too much effort to get "close" to. I don't have a ton of friends. I mean, I make lots of friends but don't keep them because... well, I just don't care that much. But then I wonder if I really don't care or if it's for some other reason.
Essentially, this is me (and sounds like it's you unless I read it wrong): Occasionally try to make friends but lose interest (or something. Whatever it is that makes me not get to the final step of actually BEING friends). I don't do good with small talk or in large groups of people talking because small talk is boring and with large groups there's just too much to focus on. If I try to just have a conversation with ONE person in the group I feel like I'm blocking other people out and it stresses me out. I'm interested in my friends, so I go on Facebook and stuff a lot, but I just want the quick details (like, they just broke up or they just went to Australia or whatever), it's too much effort to talk to them about stuff. Or... well not too much effort, but in order to get into the fun stuff (like, what was the craziest thing that happened in Australia? or Why did you break up?) it takes small talk, and what if they think what I asked was too personal? And to even get to that point like a "normal" person would it takes asking how they've been and answering questions when they ask how YOU'VE been even though since YOU don't care about the tiny details like "Oh, I've been alright, my boss is mean, work is boring, blah" then why would they? So then I just don't talk to people, and eventually it's been so long since I've talked to them that even when I WANT to it seems like starting over the friendship again and I'd rather just play Tetris lol

If that is NOT the way you feel about the stuff you wrote, then I'm sorry for being presumptive. If it IS, then you're ADD my friend. And sounds like ADD with depression/anxiety, which is exactly what I am lol Oh, life.... (Also, I feel that way about doctors here, too. Sounds like doctors are jerks universally lol)

[humandefault]

Originally Posted by Amtram

Try interrupting someone with Asperger's. No matter what you say, no matter how much of a non-sequitur it is, the Asperger's person will change the subject back to what he/she wanted to talk about in the first place.

P.S. My bf is Asperger's. I've actually messed with him and TRIED to get him to change the subject. I've questioned his sexuality, insulted him, told him I was "in the mood," told him that his mother is calling on his cell... lol I feel like when I do this, no matter WHAT I say, he doesn't actually hear me. What he does is pause the tape of what he's saying long enough for me to start and stop talking, because he knows that's what you're supposed to do when people interrupt you, and then he keeps talking. I mean, if I interrupt in the middle of a word, he will pause (not hearing a THING I'm saying) and then as soon as I'm silent he will finish the word lol Oh I love my Joshua.

[craigdna]

Just wanted to make the comment that to understand both ADD and Asperger's Syndrome, it is necessary to understand the functions of the temporal lobe, cingulate system, and prefrontal cortex lobes of the brain, where these characteristics of behavior occur. It is not that a person is not necessarily able to shift their attention in Aspergers, it is that their cingulate system is likely blocked, and not able to shift that is the problem. Metallic ingredients like mercury, aluminum, and lead can block these areas in the brain's lobes. I would defintely look into natural forms of chelation, and you will likely see results. I am not a sales person for chelating ingredients, I have been researching the brain for a long time, and have learned that with Asperger Syndrome and Autism, ingredients like mercury, as an example, will occupy areas of the brain where Zinc is low. So you have mercury occupying a zinc site on a brain receptor, and it cannot use it for any purpose, and that area of the brain cannot function. The same thing happens with Manganese, and Zinc and Manganese, are critical for an amino acid called Taurine,to be utilized and distributed (Taurine is the one of the most prevalent amino acids in the brain). In other words, look up Zinc deficiency, Manganese deficiency, and Taurine deficiency, add them all up, and you have the charcteristic symptoms of Autism and/or Asperger Syndrome. After chelating, you will want to supplement the proper balanced ratios of Manganese and Zinc, and if you are a vegetarian, you will want to supplement with Taurine as well, and this will restore the functionality of those areas of the brain that initially had impaired functionality. Taurine is found predominantly in meat and this is why Autism is higher in vegetarian demographics. I hope this information can be of use.

[Amtram]

Chelation is a dangerous and potentially deadly procedure that has no effect at all on autism. It is used by medical professionals only in cases of actual, severe mercury poisoning.

The promotion of chelation as an autism "cure" came from Andrew Wakefield's deeply flawed, and now completely repudiated claims that autism was "caused" by vaccinations. The procedure used by people who turn a profit from this false notion involves no actual testing for the presence of mercury in the system, and uses industrial chelation chemicals that are not approved for human use. This procedure removes other soft metals from the human body at the same time, like zinc and copper, that we need to survive.

Evidence of its success at treating autism is purely anecdotal, but evidence of death and injury caused by chelation has been medically verified by the hospitals the children are brought to afterwards.

[krb388]

I got this from a web site...........

Some Comparisons:
ADHD - has difficulty focusing on one thing
AS - can focus very intently on one thing if it is a special interest but could have difficulty if it is not a special interest
ADHD - has difficulty completing tasks
AS - does not have difficulty completing tasks if it is a special interest

ADHD - might not seem to be listening when someone is speaking to him or her
AS - might not seem to be listening when intently focused or when overwhelmed
ADHD - talks nonstop
AS - talks nonstop about a special interest but often very little on other topics
ADHD - makes inappropriate comments due to being impulsive but realizes afterward it was inappropriate
AS - makes inappropriate comments due to not knowing better and not understanding social conventions
ADHD - shows emotions without restraint
AS - shows emotions when overwhelmed and stressed, but might seem unemotional at other times
ADHD - interrupts due to being impulsive
AS - could interrupt due to lack of understanding of social conventions but might not talk at all

ADHD - fidgets, squirms, moves constantly due to hyperactivity
AS - fidgets and squirms in some situations that can be resolved with a "fidget" that helps him or her focus or being put in a low-distraction low-stress environment
ADHD - has difficulty performing silent tasks
AS - usually does not have difficulty performing silent tasks if in low-distraction low-stress environment; can play quietly alone in a room
ADHD - has difficulty paying attention
AS - might have difficulty paying attention if subject is not a special interest or if person uses slang and idiomatic expressions that are not understood or if not in a low-distraction low-stress environment
ADHD - daydreams frequently
AS - daydreaming is not typically a symptom noticed in younger children, but it might be more common in girls and older children or teens
ADHD - forgets details of daily routines
AS - follows daily routines rigidly
ADHD - might have accidents and injuries due to being impulsive
AS - might have accidents and injuries due to lack of motor control

[fracturedstory]

I agree that chelation is dangerous.

I didn't get the vaccine until I was five but in the famous words of my mother 'you were weird before you got the vaccine.' I love her blunt honesty.

Another trait I've noticed in people with Asperger's is that they seem emotionally behind their peers and have immature interests. Or interests about things you'd think a bit weird. Although they'd find my fascination with certain items of clothing (for non-fashionable reasons) a bit weird. I've always had attachments to certain clothes. When I was eight I wore nothing but a grey jumper and slacks. Now I just love my track jackets. I have about six and want more.

Basically with AS you're looking for autistic traits, just not as severe. They're usually hyper or hypo sensitive with poor motor skills; sometimes dyspraxia co-morbid.

Another trait is looking young. I'm 24 and look about 14-16. I could even pass for 12.

I don't know if you can tell if someone has ADHD but some people claim to have an aspie-dar. I'm sometimes guilty of it. Lack of facial expression, eye contact, strange gait, comfortable clothes over fashionable, moving fingers or hands (stimming), etc. Not all have those traits but a lot do.

The lack of eye contact with me is because I process information better and speak much more clearly when not looking at someone. Also, if my mood is low or a bit anxious looking at someone's face sometimes makes me feel like I'm in trouble with a very stern teacher.