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This is similar to something I heard a psychologist say about mental illness. His test was to ask subjects "How did you come to be here today?" (with "here" bei

by mjklin 11y ago

This is similar to something I heard a psychologist say about mental illness. His test was to ask subjects "How did you come to be here today?" (with "here" being the treatment facility) and they would usually answer "In a car". I don't remember what type of mental illness he was referring to, but it was probably autism.

MBCook 11y ago
It might have been something like schizophrenia. The obvious issue is that the person is taking the question very literally instead of answering the intended question. I could see how you could think that was a form of Autism, but for some reason the schizophrenia idea is stuck in my head.
- mjklin 11y ago
  Now that I've thought about it more I think you're right, it probably was schizophrenia
wavefunction 11y ago
Autism isn't a mental illness. I know this was probably an unintentional statement but it's important, especially as humanity grapples with the issue of better integrating neuro-atypicals into our societies.
- stordoff 11y ago
  What is it then? I would have used the same description (I don't mean to be insensitive, but I don't really see why autism doesn't fall in that category).
  - astrange 11y ago
    They might want you to call it a "developmental disorder", which is fair, but nerdy. Or a "physical illness affecting the brain". The idea that there's a difference is sort of problematic since the mind and the body are the same thing, and it's not falsifiable either unless you can test someone's brain for autism without going through their mind. There's also a popular claim among tumblr-type people that autism is good and that charities looking for "cures for autism" are evil. Probably not what they meant though.
- KingMob 11y ago
  At the low end of functioning, autism is most certainly an illness. There are ASD people with no ability to speak, repetitive behaviors, and comorbidity with other illnesses (such as gastrointestinal issues). While I respect the desire to not stigmatize those who can function with some adjustments (on both their part and those of society's), it is imprecise to suggest that no ASD person has mental illness. To do so seems counter-productive, since it makes many people dismiss your legitimate concerns.
- forgetsusername 11y ago
  >neuro-atypicals Can you explain what someone neuro-typical looks like?
  - cederic 11y ago
    Sure, full description at the Institute for the Study of the Neuro-Typical : http://isnt.autistics.org/ http://isnt.autistics.org/
stordoff 11y ago
My thought process on seeing that question was roughly "you are asking how, not why -> could be a relevant question [for example, public transport -> probably no issues in crowds] -> answer with 'by car'". I doubt I'd've gone straight to the "why am I here?" answer. Then again, I do suffer with some degree of mental illness (OCD/anxiety), so maybe it is working as intended...

by mjklin 11y ago

MBCook 11y ago

It might have been something like schizophrenia. The obvious issue is that the person is taking the question very literally instead of answering the intended question. I could see how you could think that was a form of Autism, but for some reason the schizophrenia idea is stuck in my head.

mjklin 11y ago
Now that I've thought about it more I think you're right, it probably was schizophrenia

wavefunction 11y ago

Autism isn't a mental illness. I know this was probably an unintentional statement but it's important, especially as humanity grapples with the issue of better integrating neuro-atypicals into our societies.

stordoff 11y ago
What is it then? I would have used the same description (I don't mean to be insensitive, but I don't really see why autism doesn't fall in that category).
- astrange 11y ago
  They might want you to call it a "developmental disorder", which is fair, but nerdy. Or a "physical illness affecting the brain". The idea that there's a difference is sort of problematic since the mind and the body are the same thing, and it's not falsifiable either unless you can test someone's brain for autism without going through their mind. There's also a popular claim among tumblr-type people that autism is good and that charities looking for "cures for autism" are evil. Probably not what they meant though.
KingMob 11y ago
At the low end of functioning, autism is most certainly an illness. There are ASD people with no ability to speak, repetitive behaviors, and comorbidity with other illnesses (such as gastrointestinal issues). While I respect the desire to not stigmatize those who can function with some adjustments (on both their part and those of society's), it is imprecise to suggest that no ASD person has mental illness. To do so seems counter-productive, since it makes many people dismiss your legitimate concerns.
forgetsusername 11y ago
>neuro-atypicals Can you explain what someone neuro-typical looks like?
- cederic 11y ago
  Sure, full description at the Institute for the Study of the Neuro-Typical : http://isnt.autistics.org/ http://isnt.autistics.org/

stordoff 11y ago

My thought process on seeing that question was roughly "you are asking how, not why -> could be a relevant question [for example, public transport -> probably no issues in crowds] -> answer with 'by car'". I doubt I'd've gone straight to the "why am I here?" answer. Then again, I do suffer with some degree of mental illness (OCD/anxiety), so maybe it is working as intended...