MP Mariana Bezugla recently publicly stated that she suffers from Asperger's syndrome. This statement caused a wave of discussion not only in political but also in medical circles. Some psychiatrists doubt the veracity of such confessions, and the syndrome itself is a serious chronic disorder on the autism spectrum, which is officially considered incurable.
Journalists learned what Asperger's syndrome really is, how it affects a person, whether a politician with such a diagnosis can hold positions related to state secrets, and how to live with it.
What is Asperger's syndrome?
Asperger's syndrome is a type of autism spectrum disorder. It does not affect intelligence, but it affects the way people perceive social interaction. People with this syndrome often have difficulty with empathy, communication, and understanding jokes or sarcasm. They also tend to be preoccupied with their own interests, have a high attention to detail, and have difficulty with facial expressions and gestures.
Signs of Asperger's syndrome include:
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difficulties in establishing and maintaining friendly relationships;
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inability to have flexible social behavior;
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problems with body language, eye contact, intonation;
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sensitivity to sounds, smells, light;
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addiction to routine;
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limited range of interests;
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increased immersion in one's own topics;
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emotional detachment.
The medical aspect of Bezugola's statement
Ukrainian specialists have also commented on Bezuglaya's disorder. Asperger's syndrome belongs to category F84 according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision.
As psychiatrist Yevhen Skrypnyk stated in a commentary to RBC-Ukraine, if the MP really suffers from ASD, then according to the order of the Ministry of Health and the Security Service of Ukraine No. 174/136 of May 13, 2002, Bezugliy should not have been granted access to state secrets.
"Perhaps this is another hype on her part, but she did not take into account the nuance regarding access to state secrets. After all, she is a people's deputy, so she should think before voicing such diagnoses, in particular, think about the consequences," Skrypnyk noted.
However, the Ministry of Justice has registered a new Order of the Ministry of Health and the Security Service of Ukraine No. 987/235 dated June 20, 2025, according to which category F8***, including F84, will be removed from the List of mental illnesses that may harm the protection of state secrets.
The doctor emphasized that if Bezuglaya really has this diagnosis, then "she had no right to work as deputy chairman of the Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, that is, it was a violation." And he added that the provocateur MP should be on the medical register.
Is Asperger syndrome treatable?
Asperger's syndrome cannot be completely cured, but the symptoms can be significantly alleviated. For this, the following are used:
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behavioral therapy;
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speech therapy and communication classes;
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social skills training;
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medications to combat anxiety, depression, and obsessive thoughts;
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educational programs for families.
With the right approach, people with this diagnosis can learn to better interact with society and be effective in their profession.
Who else lives with this diagnosis?
Famous people with Asperger's syndrome include actors Anthony Hopkins and Daniel Aykroyd, director Stanley Kubrick, scientist Albert Einstein, composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and US President Thomas Jefferson. This proves once again that the disorder is not a sentence, but only requires an individual approach.
The situation with Bezugla remains a subject of controversy, but at the same time provides an opportunity for a broader discussion of the topic of mental health in politics and society.
