I was told by my sister that I may have autistic tenancies. Really, I should be asking my mum but I did and she said the same thing. My brother has Asperger's syndrome. I love him to bits. He's the most amazing brother ever. This was said back when I was much younger but I haven't been officially diagnosed. I can do things like a "normal" person would do. I'm a bit sensitive to hearing. I don't like really loud bangs but apart from that I seem fine. If I was to be diagnosed with autism, my world would fall apart because it's like being called a "retard". Can your sibling's mental health illness be passed onto you? Thank you for your replies.

How much would the label really change your situation? Forget the labels and focus on the symptoms. Being told that you have "tendencies" does not equate a diagnosis. I was told in the past that I had "schizoid tendencies", but that did not equate to a full diagnosis. As long as they do not affect your life in a significant way, just accept that you may have some autistic tendencies and then carry on.

It is definitely not equal to being called "retarded" and I would ask you if you consider all people with this diagnosis to be retarded, or if you are just being especially hard on yourself? If you would not call someone else with autism a retard, please don't do it to yourself.

Sibling's mental illnesses cannot be passed onto you like they can be from a parent. But if one sibling has it, it would not surprise me if you are more likely to have it, or even just tendencies.

Originally Posted by scaredandconfused

How much would the label really change your situation? Forget the labels and focus on the symptoms. Being told that you have "tendencies" does not equate a diagnosis. I was told in the past that I had "schizoid tendencies", but that did not equate to a full diagnosis. As long as they do not affect your life in a significant way, just accept that you may have some autistic tendencies and then carry on.

It is definitely not equal to being called "retarded" and I would ask you if you consider all people with this diagnosis to be retarded, or if you are just being especially hard on yourself? If you would not call someone else with autism a retard, please don't do it to yourself.

Sibling's mental illnesses cannot be passed onto you like they can be from a parent. But if one sibling has it, it would not surprise me if you are more likely to have it, or even just tendencies.

Thank you for your reply. Other people have said it and I was being harsh on myself. I am always willing to go ahead with my life and improve in any way I can. I shouldn't really be labeling myself and thinking myself as a mental illness.

[cool09]

Do your tendencies cause problems for you or get in the way of living your life? I'm sensitive to noises, too among many other things that cause problems.

Originally Posted by cool09

Do your tendencies cause problems for you or get in the way of living your life? I'm sensitive to noises, too among many other things that cause problems.

Not really. I'm not sure what I do that make me likely to have autism. I don't like loud bangs or fireworks but that's all.