Anosmia
Anosmia is the clinical term for a complete or partial loss of the ability to smell. Usually, it is caused by any blockage of the nasal passageways, like tumors or nasal polyps. Other conditions, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, can affect the signals sent between the nose and the brain. Anosmia can be temporary; illnesses like common colds or sinus infections can temporarily impact one’s ability to smell and taste. Very rarely, people can be born with permanent or congenital anosmia, which causes them to never have the ability to smell. Currently, only around 1,000 people in the U.S. have congenital anosmia.
Anosmia has consequences outside of just being unable to smell. Lacking the ability to smell often impacts appetite and leads to malnutrition, as smell directly impacts the potency of taste. This also means that it is more difficult to tell if something tastes off or expired, which increases the risk of food poisoning. Not being able to smell can even pose a risk to one’s fire safety, as the smell of smoke is one of the first indications of an impending fire.
Antisocial Personality Disorders
Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a mental disorder characterized by a tendency to disregard societal norms and take advantage of others’ kindness. The disorder can cause deceitful or manipulative behavior, and those with it may be convincing or charming enough to instill trust in others. People with ASPD often lack remorse for their negative actions, and may not change their patterns of behavior unless threatened with consequences. Due to this, their actions have a tendency of turning criminal, as implicit social norms are not enough of a deterrent to prevent them from engaging in reckless behavior.
It is still unknown why some people develop antisocial personality disorder. Research suggests that the disorder can arise as a result of traumatic experiences from childhood and/or genetic factors, and that those with neglectful or abusive families are more likely to develop ASPD. For example, alcoholism/substance abuse from one or more parents is a key factor in many cases of the disorder. ASPD is also more likely to emerge in men than women.
Asexual
Asexual is an umbrella term used to describe anyone who experiences little to no sexual desires or attraction towards others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, and therefore will not look the same for everyone. Given its status as a sexual identity, there are no behaviors or tendencies that “qualify” someone for asexuality; to be asexual is a matter of deciding whether or not the label works for you.
The term asexual is distinct from aromantic, which is used to describe someone who feels little to no romantic feelings towards others. Sexual attraction and romantic attraction can exist separate from one another, so asexuality and aromanticism do not imply each other. Someone can be both asexual and aromantic, neither, or both. It depends on how they wish to self-identify.
Asperger Syndrome
Asperger syndrome, or Asperger’s, is a previously used diagnosis on the autism spectrum. The term is now controversial due to its namesake, Hans Asperger, having ties to the Nazi party. The diagnosis of Asperger’s was initially given to autistic people who were not also diagnosed with a learning disability. Those diagnosed before the term was discontinued in 2013 may still refer to themselves as diagnosed with Asperger’s.
While the diagnosis was still in use, symptoms of Asperger’s included difficulty understanding nonverbal social cues, trouble maintaining conversations, and restricted/repetitive/stereotyped interests or behaviors (stimming). Most, if not all, of the symptoms of Asperger’s are shared with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as Asperger’s was previously defined by its lack of certain symptoms associated with ASD.