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I may have Asperger's syndrome...where can I find help?
I lack decent communication skills, I'm very shy, I don't like making eye contact or smiling at people, and I have difficulty making new friends and creating relationships. Such tasks as dating are very difficult for me and I'm only 21 years old. It feels like I'm never able to talk about things other people are interested in. I tried examining myself with a DSM book and I think I might have "Asperger's" but I don't know for sure since I haven't seen a doctor about these problems. Where can I get help?
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Maybe give some free advice about: Mental health?
I don't think what you've described is Asperger's. I think it's more Social Anxiety than anything. However, we're not doctors & that is who you need to contact. I'm pretty sure they'll say it could be something along the lines of social anxiety, but since I'm not a doctor, I can't say for sure. That's what it sounds like though.. see a doctor ASAP so that you can be treated.
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Well you may have asperger's syndrome but the characteristics which you have described do not necessarily define it. The shyness, lack of eye contact and relationship problems are problems that many different people have they are usually caused by a lack of self esteem, low confidence or else just perhaps caused by problems in the past, for example if you've had been experienced with friends in the past. Dating is another problem that is common amongst alot of people and it is usually to do with the fact that you feel pressured into behaving to a certain standard or else you generally feel like you are under the spotlight.
So if you think you have a low self esteem, confidence, you've had problems with making friends in the past and its more the pressure than anything that gets to you on dates, then i'd advise you don't go see a doctor but instead someone who can help break down you're feelings and work through them with you to see why you struggle with social situations. Theres most likely lots of people in your area who deal with councilling and things like that so maybe you should try contacting them for a session and then if that goes well you could continue to see them, or else one session might be all that you need to figure out what step to take next. Also if you attend university, college, or work in a large company, there are often on-site councillors that may be of some help to you.
Hope this helps =)
Mike
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I find that I am a great deal older than most of the advisers on this site, so my advice will be somewhat different from what you have received and may continue to receive from others.
I don’t think you have Asperger’s Syndrome; this is something your teachers would have noticed in your very early grade school years. You are most likely very introverted and shy. People with Asperger’s are developmentally delayed, almost devoid of the social skills necessary to make friends.
Now this is just a knee jerk reaction based on your writing and can be as far off as your self-diagnosis and just as dangerous. Neither of us is a medical professionals trained to make the judgments required to make a diagnosis. What you need to do is see a doctor trained in metal illnesses. Depending on the type of health insurance you have you may have to start with a visit to your family practitioner for a referral to a psychiatrist for evaluation and treatment.
Off the subject for the moment is the problem of self-diagnosis. Self-diagnosis is very dangerous; even more dangerous is self medication. When you feel something is not right you need to go to a doctor or hospital. If you are uninsured and feel you have a life changing or life threatening illness the hospitals are obligated to treat you. For less serious illnesses there are free clinics available in most cities. Lastly you may qualify for Medicaid or Social Security Assistance. This of course depends on your employment, marital and living situation. There is help out there for those who need it, sometimes it takes a little courage and commitment to find the help needed but it is better than the alternatives.
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