Re: Writers with Asperger Syndrome
Posted by:
Dexterward (IP Logged)
Date: 11 July, 2011 04:15AM
Well, a significant number of these DSM 4 disorders are a bit silly. It seems to me that there is a definite tendency there to "overpathologize" virtually every aspect of the human life.
That said, I think if HPL had anything - and I'm not seeing it personally - then maybe a touch of what is called "Schizoid Personality Disorder." (I believe you could make a fair case that JD Salinger was likewise a victim of this to some extent.) But even granting that (which I'm not, except for the sake of argument), I don't particularly see why "Schizoid" is a disorder at all! Indeed, I think it has more to do with a "personality style" that is perhaps a bit unconventional, but so what? I fail to see how the associated traits are harmful to either their possessor or to society at large.
I don't know enough about Asperger's to opine, but my layman's impression is that it is on a generally similar spectrum with SPD. How do you feel about that, CD? And to what extent is Asperger's truly "disabling"?