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2020 the age of designer disorders...
On the one hand I can say I **do** like the fact that mental disorders have more acceptance and less stigma, but my god did the pendulum swing too far. Now its a point of pride to the point that people just make up (or even get frivolously diagnosed) just to be cool or accepted. Autism and ADHD seem to be the designer disorders of the day and I am completely convinced the overwhelming majority of people who claim to have autism, or were even diagnosed, at least the high-functioning ones, dont.
@freemo for me it was just the answer to a question "wth is wrong with me". now I know (but not diagnosed, just very strong suspicion) and realized that some my habits are self-found way of coping, knowing the fact just stimulates me a bit to learn better way to be useful member or society, this is basically it. Over-glorifying mental issues lately is... disturbing, but also letting other people know that some problems are not very visible, be kind is good. If being asked, all I say to people "I might have autism, that's why I seem strange", shrug, and change topic
but people, who make whole identity out of some mental disorder or some very narrow interest - this is getting old
So to be clear I never judge an individual who claims to have autism to their face, or even in how I treat them. Whether I think you have it or not (or anyone) shouldn't matter, if you claim you have it and need to be treated in a special way to accommodate that i am happy to do so with no judgement (in the sense that it would effect how i treat or interact iwth you).
The long and short of that is basically, I would find it quite rude if I or anyone told someone who said they had autism that they didnt as an individual. However making those judgements and extrapolating to the general case (and accounting for the fact tha tI may even have gotten a few cases wrong) I have no issue with.
So that said since you did bring it up first I will address some of your points. But bear in mind I am speaking from the perspective of "most people who are high-functioning and claim they are autistic" and not necessarily you...
> for me it was just the answer to a question "wth is wrong with me".
For most people the desire to have an answer, especially one where there is some cause that doessnt blame themselves or others, is a strong desire.
In truth its not an answer at all, but the desire to fool ourselves that it is wins.
> now I know (but not diagnosed, just very strong suspicion) and realized that some my habits are self-found way of coping, knowing the fact just stimulates me a bit to learn better way to be useful member or society, this is basically it.
I mean, that can be done without needing to identify as autistic. You notice you have interactions that dont go the way you want, sure adapt so they go the way you want. To me there isnt much benefit to applying a incorrect label to someone to get there.
> Over-glorifying mental issues lately is... disturbing, but also letting other people know that some problems are not very visible, be kind is good.
There are two issues being addressed here. One we agree one, one seems we may not. We both agree the gloryfying of the disease is just absurd. But I remain of the opinion that 95% of high functioning people who claim to be autistic are not, and this is likely where we disagree. Nothing wrong with disagreeing though
> If being asked, all I say to people "I might have autism, that's why I seem strange", shrug, and change topic
While I doubt that the vast majority who would think they have it actually do (and statistically youd be among that group) I can say the fact that you dont glorify it, and that you exhibit doubt in your certainty all points in a much healthier take. My concern is that even with a diagnosis I'd still remain convinced 95% of people diagnosed do not have it (and this comes from a lot of discussion with experts).
> but people, who make whole identity out of some mental disorder or some very narrow interest - this is getting old
Agreed
And there are incentives for the psychiatry as a whole to "find" more mental illness and suffering. It creates a river of funds towards the industry, and the more money they get the more unhealthy individuals will be found.
there is some incentive there. But honestly I do think psychiatrists are acting in good faith in their diagnosis, they are just wrong.
The effect, in my opinion, is a societal one. Most americans have developed personality disorders, its like living in a mental hospital. But since they are the majority, the overwhelming majority, it is the healthy people who, through societal gas lighting (being on the receiving end of people with personality disorders) they are convinced **they** are the ones who are broken instead. Psychiatrists tend to go along and look for reasons.
The end result is a bunch of people int he minority being diagnosed with autistm rather than the vast majority being diagnosed (more correctly) with the personality disorder.
