←back to thread

Autism's confusing cousins

(www.psychiatrymargins.com)
350 points Anon84 | 3 comments | 06 Dec 25 11:18 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
Show context
ryukoposting ◴[06 Dec 25 13:22 UTC] No.46173160[source]▶
If you think you (or a loved one) may have a psychological condition, go to a psychologist and get a screening. The diagnosis isn't the important part. The value is in the 20-something pages of detailed analysis by a professional.

At a bare minimum, it will give you a fresh perspective on things you already knew. In my experiences, there will be things you didn't realize about yourself.

They aren't going to tell you what the solution is to all your problems; that's for you and your doctor to figure out. They will give you everything you need to make well-informed decisions, and that's priceless.

replies(4): >>46173251 #>>46176192 #>>46176359 #>>46182361 #
ZpJuUuNaQ5 ◴[06 Dec 25 20:02 UTC] No.46176192[source]▶
I never understood why people, especially americans, are so hyperfocused on "mental health" and wear their pseudoscientific bullshit diagnoses like medals. I agree that there is a small fraction of people that do have mental issues, but it is very likely that most of the people that encourage "therapy" and yap about "mental health" very likely don't have any meaningful issues worth diagnosing and are just unnecessary burden on the medical system. The term "autism" in itself is so overused nowadays that it doesn't mean absolutely anything anymore, the fact that it doesn't have precise, rigorous definition doesn't help either.
replies(4): >>46176340 #>>46176368 #>>46176441 #>>46176954 #
1. orangesilk ◴[06 Dec 25 22:00 UTC] No.46176954[source]▶
By downvoting we missed out a joke: Lets apply the article to the comment

>> I never understood why ... americans ... wear their pseudoscientific bullshit diagnoses like medals.

> Borderline Personality Borderline personality disorder involves intense emotional instability, ... and devaluation of others.

>Social Communication Disorder ... knowing how much detail to give, adjusting their speaking style for different situations, understanding implied meanings or hints,

> B5: Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD): People diagnosed with ASPD show a lack of respect toward others. They generally don’t follow socially accepted rules.

> B5: Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD): People diagnosed with NPD have a sense of being better than others... They lack empathy for others

---

> I agree that there is a small fraction of people

What exactly makes you believe the fraction is small?

replies(1): >>46177239 #
2. flyinglizard ◴[06 Dec 25 22:40 UTC] No.46177239[source]▶
I'll ignore the baiting and just answer this: >> What exactly makes you believe the fraction is small?

Because it's not as prevalent in other societies. The fixation of Americans, and especially younger Americans with mental health is not something I've (or clearly, GP) witnessed elsewhere.

I don't think the discussion here is due to a lack of empathy, rather it's curiosity of people looking into this society from the outside (which we're doing all the time because we live in an Americanized world, after all). It seems like the participants in this game of self diagnosis and mental health crusade are very self centered and not very fit to deal with life (which is a complicated matter, I admit to that).

This is not to dismiss the hardships of those people professionally diagnosed with mental conditions, obviously.

replies(1): >>46179795 #
3. orangesilk ◴[07 Dec 25 07:04 UTC] No.46179795[source]▶
you completely nailed it, i just want to add more thoughts:

> Because it's not as prevalent in other societies.

Is it because (a) we have not looked close enough, (b) because it is a culture dependent thing, or (c) because there is no norm and therefore no deviation.