Asperger's Syndrome & Bipolar: The Brutal Truth

[Shemhamephorash]

that life is too short to waste...

[Shemhamephorash]

I am also in school pursuing something great, I guess it takes longer for us to relize it...

[Shemhamephorash]

Hey! I have been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, and it has been very hard for me to fit in with society. I am not making fun of you, I find it very appealing that you have gone through college/university. I have also discovered that (on my own) I probably have Bi-Polar. I agree, we, and people with asperger's syndrome are very smart, not a doubt about it. I just love your video, and I admire you very much for uploading this. Many others will find it useful after viewing your video, OMG, Thx

[bumble2be]

I really love your videos !

[V904T]

Your ugly yuck!"!

[1201AKV]

It's all in your head is what i am constantly told. Well, yes it is! so what can I do about that? I just want confirmation at this point so I can understand myself. Right now I don't like myself and I just want to be able to accept myself... I am hoping that with a diagnosis, I can finally do that. I am frustrated that my therapist feels so adamant about denying me that acceptance :(I know i sound like a whiner...sorry for that

[ReiAime]

I can relate to everything you've discussed. I haven't been diagnosed with anything in my life, but I have reason to believe that this might be the problem that I have. I have been doing research on psychological disorders since I started highschool and I am currently in college. I think this is what I've been dealing with all these years. I asked my parents about it but they just told me to stop believe what people told me. Of course.

[ticklemelion]

@LycanthropicAsshole You need your mental health checked for a mental illness individual to you, since only your brain has it. In your Delusional Dream World you imagine people with a condition known as Aspergers Syndrome exist as an insult to a good God. A Good being does not find people who are different form others as insulting to them. You believe a evil Demon Satan exists to love people with a condition known as Aspergers syndrome. Your brain has individual ways of screwed up thinking.

[xXxRav3rRawrBabyxXx]

my beginning to attend college in September of last year, after what was in short, four long years olf isolation spent within the walls of this house, my head and the internet - as of yet the most overwhelming and challenging process I've been confronted with. I've from the beginning of my adolescence possessed very high aspiration and hope for future achievement, but as for now, I feel completely a loss.

[xXxRav3rRawrBabyxXx]

I couldn't possibly agree, or relate (I believe) more with your statement in regards to the multi-facetedness in the personality of the 'aspergian individual', particularly if I'm to draw most primarily from my own individual experience and self-kowledge. To speak frankly I for one feel in a constant state of 'up and down' motion, fluctuation of emotion and general ability to meet the standards required in order to conform to the social structures of daily life activity;

[Holly6631]

For twenty years, I've been with this man. And recently I've just founded out(figured out) that he's has multiple disabilities. Bipolar and asperger's.... I'm 56 years old and he's nine years younger than myself. So now I'm screaming and I was begging for him to go to counseling. After my first son who's 30 finally decided to go to therapy with his girl friend recently. Now I'm beginning to feel very very unloved. Because I been asking for my man to go to counseling.

[Holly6631]

For twenty years, I've been with this man. And recently I've just founded out(figured out) that he's has multiple disabilities. Bipolar and asperger's.... I'm 56 years old and he's nine years younger than myself. So now I'm screaming and I was begging for him to go to counseling. After my first son who's 30 finally decided to go to therapy with his girl friend recently. Now I'm beginning to feel very very unloved. Because I been asking for my man to go to counseling.

[PinkPunkyKat]

I can relate on naievity. As a kid, if I was told it was a pink elehant, I bought that.

[Shana007]

I have a cousin disorder of Aspergers, Nonverbal Learning Disability. Almost identical symptoms, but not within the autistic spectrum. But I've only been Bipolar when my doctor gave me Anti-psychotics for me having trouble sleeping... I know how hard it can be, and I'm quite happy that you're pointing out our strengths, and our normality too, even though I had only a brief run in with the latter. You're awesome.

[petchharrison]

@smnitsch yes i know if you trust people, you get hurt but some how we dont belive its true so we put our selves in harms way again, yes i have bp all the tests ive done i score aspie.went to a school in the 70,s for my behaviour but never knew why but i got aspie frends, they like me as i am like them...funny like with like i say...jeff

[petchharrison]

yes i know i take the pills some days i am fast in the head other days i feel i am over loaded and i feel not so good other days i am a bit high....i love everone then they get mad then i meltdown or shutdown.jeff..

[LycanthropicAsshole]

Kill the aspies! We need to exterminate aspies! They are worthless! They are hideous! They are an insult to God! Only Satan can love an aspie!

[Theindigofemme]

WONDERFUL explanation of the interactions of the disorders! It's wonderful that you've done so much with your life. I am bipolar and possibly have AS (am going to get assessed), and it is very good for me to hear from someone else who is dealing with these illnesses. Thanks for helping me not feel so alone.

[thejesman]

I haven't been diagnosed with anything, but I suspect that I have this same combination.

[shiftas2]

i want to suggest a non mainstream explination kind of like yours...would it be safe to say that alot of bypolar have a problem with understanding what is said to them in schools..this may seem random but a good 80% of school learning is for the benefit of the coperation..maybe bypolar illness is actually a 6th sense awarness that something is not right with the things you are told..causing paranoia etc..they say conspiracy theorists are paranoid..but 99% of the time what they say has happend.

[kfag101]

people with aspergers are self centered and selfish!

[TheSchemer1]

@kfag101 ... and that's coming from the incessentantly lying and prejudiced kind.

[outreachpaintball]

@kfag101 and thats like saying everyone without it is an ignorant prick by comparison.... they hold about the same truth, if anything yours holds less weight then what i said :)

[Tarantio1983]

@kfag101 mate, i have aspergers and i put others before myself just because it makes me feel good - so yeah, i am self centred (sorry for the antiquated british spelling, but i am british and have been taught properly!) and selfish ... which is why i do nice things for other people because it makes me feel good, but i still do nice things for other people and try not to say stuff that they'll find insulting! you on the other hand are egotistical and ignorant which is why you just insulted me!!!

[kfag101]

@Tarantio1983 oh I am shaking with remorse!

[dudar30]

I give you a high TEN. KUDDOS to you for being able to talk about this.

And by the way, there is no such thing as normal.

[RobDeManc]

I think life gets weirder as I get older.

[dyingofpoetry]

Maybe people want YOU to be weak and disabled, but no one has ever forced me to feel that way. If one don't want to be weak, then one will not be.

Atany rate, your rant is a bit contradictory and therefore, not very helpful.

[diesect33]

meds don't work for me. I've been misdiagnosed too. we just have a social deficit. we are generaly above normal intelligence and hyper focused, most of or technology has most likely come from Aspergians.

[RobDeManc]

@diesect33 - I have read that Einstien and Isaac Newton were thoguht to have AS

[diesect33]

@RobDeManc yeah me as well. Bill Gates is suspect and Mozart as well. Science in general seems to have been born through AS and it's even theorized to be an evelution as opposed to "disorder" I don't know any of this to be factual but, it's plausible.

[RobDeManc]

@diesect33 - Well I wouldn't mind being in such company. I would not be surprised if AS was responsible for the whole of science. Especially when you read of those historic people who just gathered vast amounts of data about stuff. I would not see AS as a disorder either. i hate the term disorder (disorder as opposed to what?)

[diesect33]

@RobDeManc it seems like a different type of person to me, with a generalizedlist of skills and deficits like anyone else.

[AccessorizeAlways]

The whole looking younger i think is feeling younger so you look younger i believe. even people that smoke that were bipolar i have known look younger than their age, even smoking at 50 still some of them look younger. I knew a girl that said at my age, well years ago, she would get she looked older a lot and now she gets that she looks younger, and she smoked lol. My thing is i have physical ailments so physically i feel 90 and mentally i feel 16 sometimes, 10 others , and 30 (my age)others

[AccessorizeAlways]

I dunno........I think i look older sometimes cause of depression but maybe when i get older i'll look younger because i act younger than i should (or this is my theory about all this) and by that point the depression doesn't matter because i'm acting way younger than i should at a certain age and the depression won't overrule because i won't be at the youthful energetic age? If that makes sense

[AccessorizeAlways]

wow,so with what you said and me being diagnosed bipolar and having my moods all the time and really knowing i have aspergers i am convinced still i have bipolar or convinced again i have both like you. You seem more like me than others with just aspergers. You dont look 40 at all. I thought you were maybe 32. That happens a lot i think with people that are bipolar, etc and i think it's their mental age...it's not a bad thing though. I don't get that i look young but maybe later on i will .

[doston1]

i said too many personal things. had to delete, but i really appreciated your video.  helped me understand more than i had.

[kiikasi]

Verbal IQ and general IQ are often very different. I commonly see individuals that post their scores on the internet with verbal IQ's of over 140 with general IQ's of only 120. In short, I'm saying "I see what you did there."

[bobbyramsey]

Thank you for sharing. Many of these things resonated with me. i have been abused and mistreated by NT's and lost menial jobs b/c of meltdowns. I also feel very self-conscious -- hyper-aware of myself in social contexts. I will be watching your other videos.

[morpheus1x]

its a constant struggle patching up misperceptions nt's have of me!!! im mid 40's and my whole life has been bipolar. either im manipulated into doing something completely innovative that requires rare talent or im almost homeless. i pray for an ordinary life. ive been through so much like you but still maintain a certain innocence...strange. i feel like i came to the wrong planet and always felt that way. this world is very alien, primitive, and corrupt and its leaders are evil morons!!!

[playinginamist]

Exactly! *grumbles* I was just diagnosed 2 weeks ago. I am almost 25... The doc and I had come up w/a list of bipolar, ocd, GAD anxiety, adhd only nothing really fit... Now, everything makes sense!!!!!

[morpheus1x]

Same here! Previously dx'd with marginal bipolar disorder for 10yrs. you will see your life get better now that you know. my advice, get into some specific therapy for AS. you need to get familiar with the NT "users manual" in order to deal with them. and remember....AS is a gift!!!

[wluprocks]

@ZoonicDeHedgehoog ur a little narcissist aint ya boy?

[Cringle84]

I was diagnosed with full Autism at the age of 4, and was not expected to mature past age 5. I was prescribed Ritalin which used to help me, but I was made to take it despite when I had progressed to the point where I dont need it. These days I dont know wether I have conditions that are not diagnosed properly but I have a lot of up and down cycles, deceptive confused thoughts, audible hallucinations, mild visual hallucinations, and I dont take stress well.

[Cringle84]

I have a feeling that although the ritalin has helped me, but it has also damaged me as well. Though despite my low stress tolerance I still attempt jobs that are challenging to me, I deliver Pizzas for a living, It is a fun job, but it is very difficult to interact with some people, though depends on how I feel at the time. And regarding inconsiderate people who make very innapropriate comments like Chelovek321 should take their typical "Youtube hate comments" somewhere else!

[kiikasi]

I'm 15. I wish I could stop taking Methylphenidate because of its lack of long-term research and possible damage to brain structure! My intelligence is very important to me! Would you mind indulging me on the details of what you think the damage was to your brain? I may be a hypochondriac, but I still need to know the facts. I'm very worried! :( Multiple points of view on the issues I face help me make a more rounded decision. Thank you!

[Cringle84]

These days I am on antipsychotics because in the last two months I went through a psychosis, deteriorated rather quickly, and became somewhat catatonic. the new medication Seroquel is helping me a lot, very quickly I have needed higher doses but now am very close to the dose I need (200mg) still need a higher dose. now I am much better at work, still get paranoid and thoughts still patchy, but I have never been so clear headed for 10 years. I may be schizophrenic or bipolar... or just psychotic.

[kiikasi]

I have bouts of paranoia sometimes. I don't think it means I'm psychotic though. Being a hypochondriac is basically saying "I'm paranoid", but I think the difference between psychosis and my case it that I can tell my paranoid delusions from reality. I still worry, but I know they aren't real.

[chelovek321]

You need to lose some weight Laura go for a run and cut down on the cream cakes.

[Cringle84]

You are so nice aren't you, people love it when you say things like that, very appropriate!

[Angnix26]

I would make a response video if I could (now I don't have a camera). I have Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar type and some undiagnosed Asperger's-like symptoms such as special interests, bad social skills and meltdowns. I understand the restaurant thing, when I worked a fast food place I mentally broke down and ended up in the hospital. My biggest problem growing up were the almost daily meltdowns as school I was teased about, did you have meltdowns like that?

[NamekianPikkoro7]

OMG I understand the concentration. It's so hard to work around NT's. My memory goes wack. It's hard to count, remember numbers. I literally have panic attacks. I was fired, after they sent me home three times, because my meltdown caused me to do a lot of mistakes. This was before I knew I had Asperger's, however.

[tirsden]

AS/Bipolar2 here too. I totally know what you mean about feeling like compensation breaks down over the years. I am 31 and I have said for some time that it feels like I used up all the energy I had for my entire lifetime in a much shorter span and then burned out. I was heading for a CS degree in a high-end university and now I am in residential care (tho trying to move out). Also I don't speak to many family members anymore (including parents) because they never truly accepted... only abused.

[NadezhdaRozagy1]

so sorry to hear that, my heart goes out to you.

sometimes, you have to be a selfish bastard to get anywhere in life. Only that's very hard to be for someone with Asperger's. If I wasn't a mother I'd still be abused probably by ppl but I've learnt to stand up for myself because if I don't - how can my kids learn to stand up for themselves? they are autistic too and very vulnerable

[NemgoHart]

i think i have both aspergers and bipolar disorder how do i know for sure, just see a psychologist ? my mom is setting an appointment for me.

[ghodium]

great video... have you ever been offered cbt? would/have you accept(ed) it as a means of integrating people that are simply different into an unaccepting majority? sure, it may make certain things easier, but at what cost?

[GurnSi]

Want to be with a Bipolar??Count on: They're perfect;always right,never learn Paranoia,unending complaints about everyone Breathtaking hypocrisy Recklessness re home,work,friends,driving,cash No remorse/conscience,no'Sorry' Immorality/cheating/lawsuits Irrational,unpredictable conduct+rants Denial: to them,you're the nut! Boasting/grandiosity Endless insults+demands Drug,tobacco,alcohol abuse Lying/exaggerating Violence;verbal abuse Crazy destructive moods,habits,sleep patterns Pain,grief. RUN!

[whitetigerdream]

On medications, most of us are as normal as you are. So there is no reason to judge or put us down.

[GurnSi]

DENIALS,DENIALS.Per PubMed, BIPOLAR often is a cynical FRAUD+HOAX to justify excuse encourage explain: sadistic self-centered pompous/grandiose immoral vindictive unreasonable/irrational antisocial vicious/depraved deceitful obsessive vile selfish/boastful behavior, to get kicks/sympathy/drugs/attention­/welfare. Some shrinks collaborate. If you meet a bipolar: save time,money,grief,sanity: RUN! Now.Shun'em forever. You can't fix them;they CHOSE to act this way. Find folk worthy of your kindness.

[ghodium]

did they choose to be the person who 'chose' to act 'that way' too? it looks the same from the other side of the magnifying glass you know, there are just more on one side

[GurnSi]

"did they choose to be the person who 'chose' to act 'that way' too?"

The above is an illustration of "argumentum ad absurdum".

Nice semantic point, but the rag won't wipe.

Note I do not say ALL bipolars are frauds, just that MANY are. It is like a GET OUT OF JAIL FREE card in Monopoly. Allow people to claim they have the card, don't be surprised when 10 million use it (in the USA alone).

[ghodium]

there is nothing absurd about it, i guess you have come to see the freewill thing differently... there are benefits cheats and the like who take the piss out of the system, and unfortunately it's us genuine cases who bear the brunt of the state reaction

[PeaceMouse17]

@whitetigerdream All medications did was mess me up, not make me better- I guess some people benefit from them and some don't.

[girlstorm09]

i liked how you said "quote normal people" bc theres alot of messed up people in thsi world who dont even have any disorders i mean look at things like terriosts,rapests, etc.... and yea to me there not so "normal"

[SouthernOregonOrgani]

Aspergers and Bipolar are waay different! A friend of mine has aspergers and my mom has full blown bipolar. They have nothing to do with each other. I could only image having both together, it would fucking suck biiiig time! i could only imagine how socially crippled one would be with both together. My friend with Aspergers doesn't know how to pick up on social ques, its a bit awkward. Some one will make a good joke and every one will be laughing BUT him.

[NamekianPikkoro7]

Asperger's Syndrome Bipolar Comorbid does suck.

[magickmen]

It is such a relief to see that I am not the only one in the world that has been diagnosed with both these things...I'm 21 and for quite some time, it has felt like it was only me.

[HitmanRecon88]

you have no idea how glad I am that I found this video I too at the age of 6 was diagnosed with Aspergers and Bipolar syndrome though I am now 20 life for me though is really hard I basically have cut off my life with most people do you think you could help?

[DanielBT1989]

I have Asperger's and A.D.D. in a very mild manner, but I think I might have Bipolar too :(

[beatityatube]

Good video! Pity the sound wasn't always good. Very true though, I'm an Aspie and I relate to a lot of what you say.

[Kumari58787]

I find it hard to compute equations. It takes me a while to think when doing math and the children bullied me for that reason (and the math teacher)

[SpinergyDude]

Cool I take Omega 3 :~)

[Chocomoca1]

wow we are the same, i couldn't count change at one of my jobs too and people used to get impatient and angry with me and i couldn't make small talk with the customers either. good video

[iloveterriers]

Laura, I am getting tired of posting in places only to be attacked by men who have something against those with empathy and want to learn more. Is there any way we can block these guys (see my replies to them below) from bothering us?

[SpinergyDude]

I posted my ADHD video for you. It shows as best I could what it's like for me.

It's worse than what it shows. I'm also bipolar.

So I need to make a video on that aspect as well.

[SpinergyDude]

Excellent Video.

Spinergy

[Robizoid]

Please, make peace. This video is designed educate and raise awarness, not to be prechy!Top Noch job, Laura.

[iloveterriers]

The reason why people with Asperger's cannot function as "well" per se, even though they may be more gifted than the norm, is because our society is callous and only values things in a monetary manner, rather than allowing for true creativity and ingenuity. Everything is just centred around artificial constructs in our society, rather than valuing everybody as an individual. Asperger people can see through all the artifice and have the most problems with dealing with this dehumanising reality.

[Bhairav]

Shut up yourself.

And get back to work (or so).

[SpinergyDude]

So how does one shut up? Will you please be the first do do it for us? That's what happens when you know it all, you need to be the one that leads by example.

[SpinergyDude]

Due to the lack of content in the above post it is being marked as SPAM.

[Bhairav]

I was replying toiloveterrriers.

Or werent you talking to me? :s

[SpinergyDude]

Doah! Sorry... Nevermind me then... I'm a doof...

[Bhairav]

I am a doof as well, cuz i didnt know...

Were aspies... :(

[SpinergyDude]

Uh oh more than one doof... COOL! :)

I don't anything wrong with aspies... They are people also, that's what matters most to me. :)

[iloveterriers]

Hey, Bhairav, maybe you're a little envious that you're not someone with Aspergers. Don't worry, I've found the perfect diagnosis for you and your friend "Superior" so now you won't feel left out. Read all about yourselves under the word Psychopathic or Sociopathic Personality. It suits you to a T.

[Bhairav]

Huh? I wasnt replying to you...

O_o

These replies are totally messed up...

[iloveterriers]

I love people like you, Mr. Superior -- you are the reason why our country is so "great." Is that lipstick you're wearing in your photo btw? Cute.

[beatityatube]

I put this down to Aspies tending to be very logical. The biggest issue for me was finding it difficult to socialise as a child, mostly because I found what they others were doing was immature. At school the AS went unrecognized, they labelled me as gifted. I'm pretty well adapted as an adult and really no one would know unless I told them. Was a strange trip, discovering this and revealing to my loved ones why I am, as I am. Knowing my limitations has made me more 'normal' (like them). ;-)

[tirsden]

@iloveterriers yep, what I want to do with my life is give the world free art and stories. society meanwhile looks at me and says "that will not put bread on the table. you do not fit. YOU need to change."

...so now I'm on SSI and giving the world free art and stories via deviantArt while I try and survive my current trials and get somewhere better. take that, System! xP

[NadezhdaRozagy1]

I totally agree with you

[QuantumDeviant]

I absolutely agree - I myself have Bipolar I with Psychotic Features, and I have always found that society has been the annihilator of ingenuity. Society as an organization attempts to strip everyone down and then manipulate the fuck outta them just so that they can "function" according to what THEY DEEM NECESSARY. And it is society's fault, because they view people as homogenous entities who need to be molded into what society deems necessary, neglecting that diff people view things differently

[jsthere2watchvideos]

if anything were stronger than most this isnt a disability its a curse n we live with it day 2 day somethin most people couldnt deal with for a week

[morpheus1x]

sometimes i think god is planting us on this world to be "salt of the earth"...a gradual revolution of those with superior insight to root out the blind cancer!