All people fall somewhere on the spectrum @cherokee. That's the way people should look at all mental illnesses; as a spectrum. There is no normal. Just varying degrees of certain characteristics. There are acceptable levels of behaviours but sometimes the level of behaviour is inappropriate and affects the individual or people around them. Sorry for the bookhaha I'm a psych nurse!

I've wondered about it myself and think I'm somewhere on the spectrum...I like to watch things spin in a circle, had to be forced to socialize when i was young,had a string of phobias that I had to overcome and prefer doing things by myself most of the time...I also see patterns in things that other people miss. You could go online and do a self-check from a list but the thing is if you are functioning and doing well then there's no reason to label yourself or worry about it.

@death lol it's like this is a spectrum

"Normal"---------------------------------------------------"severe incapacitation from a disorder"

And people fall somewhere between the two.

@cherokee that's in interesting perspective

It's a sensory disorder classified as Autism Spectrum Disorder in the DSM v - the gold standard for diagnosing mental illnesses. So yes, what do you classify it as?

If you are worried that you might be, maybe you should seek professional help in figuring it out. Even if it isnt likely, it couldnt hurt!

It's possible. you would be, and have always been "different" than your peers. Get an assessment of you aren't sure.

I'm pretty sure you would know if you are autistic, since autistic people know that they are

yeah you'd know. if you're that concerned, see a doctor

I can't at the moment. And I am not really, just curious

Flenflyys: So high-functioning autism is a "mental" Illness, eh?

I never quite knew what spectrum meant :/ makes me feel dumb

The brain is wired differently....it has it's own immune system.