Expert: Paul Johnson - 6/1/2010

Question
Hi, I am a 30 year old female. When I was 17 I was diagnosed with depression and then when I was 22 I was re-diagnosed as being bi-polar 3 or bipolar unspecified. I was speaking with my husband the other night and I mentioned that I only feel one feeling at a time, I do not feel multiple feelings and whatever feeling I have tends to sometimes be extreme. He told me that most people feel multiple feelings at a time and was surprised that I had never told him that I only felt one feeling at a time. I explained that I assumed all people processed feelings the way I do. He then did some research and Autism seems to fit my issues more than bipolar, because I have mood swings, but the "manias" are never euphoric, they always make me extremely mean. The depression tends to happen when things don't go the way I need them to go. I have been on Lamictal for about 6 years and this has helped with some of the mood swings, but I have severe anxiety issues, especially with large crowds and whenever things are not planned out. He lays out my medicine for me every morning and makes my lunch, the days he forgets to do this and I have to make my lunch and take my meds on my own I either get very mad or turn inward and don't speak. I ask questions all the time and I NEED to know the answers to everything. I cannot stop needing to know things. I prefer doing things by myself and hate surprises. When things don't go the way I think they should go I freak out and break down. I am cool if it seems that I have bipolar disorder since that is what I have been told for 6 years, but so many of my issues tend to lean toward autism. I have a high IQ as well as being extremely artistic. I just want to know whether or not I should talk to my doctor about this and how exactly I go about asking these questions. Are there certain questions I should ask? What kind of tests do I need to have run?

Thanks for all your help!

Answer
Hey Heather,

Thank you for your important question,

I have always been leery of the diagnosis of bi-polar disorder. What I do know is that Asperger's Syndrome often comes with depression and especially Anxiety.

I will admit that the symptoms that you describe is sound alot like A.S.
But what is importantant is to continue to inform your self about A.S.
and Autism as much as possible. Unfortunately there are many clinicians and Psychiatrist that know very little about Autism Spectrum Disorders. They may say that they are knowledgeable and are talking from a one day training on Autism. So arm your self and be prepared to ask your clinician many questions.

Futhermore I would recommend that you contact your state Autism society and ask them what are the important questions to ask your doctor for a quality diagnosis.