Page 1 of 1 [ 8 posts ] 

Purpleella
Butterfly
Butterfly

Joined: 24 Jun 2015
Posts: 9
Location: UK

26 Jun 2015, 6:42 am

Hi, I am a woman, 36 years old. I was diagnosed with aspergers this week. I was diagnosed by a specialist consultant learning diasbilities psychiatrist who is part of my city's ASD specialist adult team. I was referred to them after a GP appointment in which I asked to be referred because of my issues.
I spent two hours with the psychiatrist, during which he asked me lots of questions about my past experiences, and how I currently behave. He also did a little storytelling exercise, both with a picture book and a bag of objects (choose three and tell a story). Within 20 mins of the appointment he told me "you will meet the criteria for a diagnosis". During the appointment he left and consulted someone else (which he said he always does).
It should be good news, I've wanted an explanation and a way of moving forward. However I find myself doubting the diagnosis. How can someone who spent two hours with me conclusively diagnose in this way?
So I guess I'm asking how I should feel about this? Should I embrace this diagnosis? I have a son with ASD and I don't doubt his diagnosis because his behaviour fits. But with me it's harder to be objective.
Thoughts please :)



BirdInFlight
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 8 Jun 2013
Age: 62
Gender: Female
Posts: 4,501
Location: If not here, then where?

26 Jun 2015, 9:16 am

It's not unknown that some people, in adjusting to the diagnosis, can sometimes wonder if it's for real and doubt; there are some here on WP who have posted similar things, and I too went through moments of this feeling also.

Perhaps for you the doubts are there because only after twenty minutes the specialist was already indicating that things were looking like you were going to meet the criteria. I had a similar experience -- over-all the total of my assessment amounted to six hours, but within the first hour something similar was said to me though not a complete confirmation of anything.

Can you turn your doubt around into seeing that perhaps the specialist was so quick to mention his speculation about the outcome because he's very experienced, and has seen so many confirmed cases he's given a diagnosis too that even twenty minutes in, he knows he's seeing another which will turn out to be a diagnosis in the affirmative?

Try to relax into this confirmation and allow it; I had to give myself time to do something similar mentally and emotionally.



Rocket123
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 15 Dec 2012
Age: 61
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,188
Location: Lost in Space

26 Jun 2015, 9:42 am

Count me as one who doubted my diagnosis for > 1 year. In fact, I wrote about this (<click>) immediately after being diagnosed.

Fortunately, those doubts have since been erased.



jimmyboy76453
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 18 Mar 2015
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Posts: 590
Location: Ashtabula

26 Jun 2015, 10:05 am

I had a similar reaction after my diagnosis. I went to a psychologist who specializes in autism. We had a two-hour initial assessment, but because I was very nervous (probably visibly very nervous), she told me after 20 minutes or so that she saw a lot of autistic traits in me and that I should not worry that she wouldn't believe me because she already does. It wasn't until my third visit that she said for sure that I am on the spectrum.
And I doubted my diagnosis, even though I had no real reason to doubt. I don't anymore. I'm so much like others here; that is what finally convinced me.


_________________
You don't need to hide, my friend, for I am just like you.


Purpleella
Butterfly
Butterfly

Joined: 24 Jun 2015
Posts: 9
Location: UK

26 Jun 2015, 10:31 am

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your thoughts. I thought that if I summarised my issues here you could let me know if I sound aspie?

1. Strong need to feel organised, use lists and am obsessive about being organised. Feel out of control and anxious without my systems.
2.Socially I
-talk too much
-tend to like talking rather than listening and struggle to listen rather than planning what I'm going to say next
-Interrupt people when they are talking
-do not behave differently in different situations, am always me and always honest and often innapropriate even in formal/professional settings.
-often find fault (even if only in my head) in other peoples opinions and attitudes
3.When I'm upset/angry or anxious I completely lose my sh*t, shouting, saying mean things and sometimes even lashing out or throwing things/slamming doors.
4.I have sensory sensitivities with uncomfortable clothing, sniffing and coughing, eating noises, loud noises and strong smells
5.I find it very hard to focus on multiple things - so doing something at the same time as someone talks to me really stresses me out (which is a challenge as I have kids!)
6.I have difficulty judging speed and distance.
7.I am particularly clumsy
8.I tend to overreact to small things.
9Punctuality is very important to me.
10. I need people to do things my way.

Gosh I'm dreadful. I'm sure there's more but these are the obvious ones. If someone could let me know whether these or some of these things sounds ASD (and possibly which ones) you would be really helping me on my journey in understanding all this.

I know the adult team doesn't always diagnose as I know women who went there and didn't get a diagnosis.

I really need to know if this diagnosis is accurate or if perhaps I'm just neurotic :?

Thanks in advance.



arielhawksquill
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 28 Jun 2008
Age: 47
Gender: Female
Posts: 1,830
Location: Midwest

26 Jun 2015, 10:37 am

Purpleella wrote:
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your thoughts. I thought that if I summarised my issues here you could let me know if I sound aspie?

1. Strong need to feel organised, use lists and am obsessive about being organised. Feel out of control and anxious without my systems.
2.Socially I
-talk too much
-tend to like talking rather than listening and struggle to listen rather than planning what I'm going to say next
-Interrupt people when they are talking
-do not behave differently in different situations, am always me and always honest and often innapropriate even in formal/professional settings.
-often find fault (even if only in my head) in other peoples opinions and attitudes
3.When I'm upset/angry or anxious I completely lose my sh*t, shouting, saying mean things and sometimes even lashing out or throwing things/slamming doors.
4.I have sensory sensitivities with uncomfortable clothing, sniffing and coughing, eating noises, loud noises and strong smells
5.I find it very hard to focus on multiple things - so doing something at the same time as someone talks to me really stresses me out (which is a challenge as I have kids!)
6.I have difficulty judging speed and distance.
7.I am particularly clumsy
8.I tend to overreact to small things.
9Punctuality is very important to me.
10. I need people to do things my way.

Gosh I'm dreadful. I'm sure there's more but these are the obvious ones. If someone could let me know whether these or some of these things sounds ASD (and possibly which ones) you would be really helping me on my journey in understanding all this.

I know the adult team doesn't always diagnose as I know women who went there and didn't get a diagnosis.

I really need to know if this diagnosis is accurate or if perhaps I'm just neurotic :?

Thanks in advance.


It sounds like you could have some autistic rigidity (number 1 and 10), monologing (2), meltdowns (3), possible misophonia (4) and dyspraxia (6 and 7). Your symptoms don't seem to counter-indicate autism in any way. Good luck with your diagnosis!



Purpleella
Butterfly
Butterfly

Joined: 24 Jun 2015
Posts: 9
Location: UK

26 Jun 2015, 11:02 am

Oh, and I forgot to mention I am absolutely dreadful with change! I become a total nightmare whenever I deal with any kind of change.



EdgySpirit
Tufted Titmouse
Tufted Titmouse

User avatar

Joined: 17 Jun 2015
Age: 55
Posts: 37
Location: UK

26 Jun 2015, 11:11 am

I'm still trying to get my head around my diagnosis. Some people have different traits from me. Others have traits that affect them to a much greater degree.

We are all different. Some of us learnt coping strategies and scripts to almost pass ourselves off as NT. Until we run out of scripts or something unexpected happens. For example I'm disorganised and prefer mess and 'clutter'.

Hey- you are not dreadful. You just run on a different logic and perception system. People would understand if they thought the same as you.


_________________
Edgyspirit.com: blogging with the aim of making Church and Christianity more accessible to people on the Autism Spectrum .