“I Feel Relieved”: Susan Boyle Reveals that She’s Been Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome

Classical singer and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Susan Boyle has revealed that she has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome – which is a high functioning form of autism. Speaking to The Observer, Boyle opened up about her condition that was diagnosed last year. She said that she now feels “relieved and a bit more relaxed about myself”. The Scottish star told the magazine that she was misdiagnosed with brain damage as a child. “I have always known that I have has an unfair label put upon me, I have Asperger’s” she said, and stated that she had sought medical advice from a Scottish specialist. “Nobody told me to. I thought I had a more serious illness and couldn't function properly.” Asperger’s affects social interaction and a person’s communication skills. “It will not make any difference to my life. It's just a condition that I have to live with and work through,” she said of the diagnosis. “I think people will treat me better because they will have a much greater understanding of who I am and why I do the things I do.” The singer has also suffered from mood swings and depression, and acknowledged her need for support. "I am not strong on my own," she said. "When I have the support of people around me I am fine." "I am here for a reason, and it must be to make people happy. I hope I can do that through my music." Susan Boyle is now a multi-millionaire in her own right and has been called one of the most commercially successful female singers of her generation. Her Elvis Presley duet of "Oh Come All Ye Faithful", was released today and all proceeds go to Save the Children.