Hi there! Self-diagnosed - now what?

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Hi I just signed up here. I had an epiphany a while back that I have Asperger's. (actually I think it's been percolating for a few years now..)

I was derailed by an ADD diagnosis a couple of years ago and - though it also fits in some way - I've never been as certain about it as I have with Asperger's. At the time I was having a mental breakdown and had my suspicions about Aperger's. But then I had the ADD diagnosis and that seemed to make a lot of sense - up to a point.

Now I don't know what to do. I'm fairly certain my bf is also aspie. (He's also ADHD - diagnosed in his 20's.) We're both in our late 30's now.

I'm thinking I need an official diagnosis, but I couldn't tell you why. It's all really confusing. My whole life I knew that somehow there was something "wrong" with me, but could never put my finger on it. People close to me were like, "You're fine, what are you talking about?"

My current doctor doesn't even want to talk about the ADD. He thinks my problem is self-esteem. Fair enough, that's somewhat true, but I've spent 3 solid years working on my self-esteem, getting medicated, doing the work, etc. and I still feel like I'm not being understood like 90% of the time. (The remaining 10% is the time I spend with my boyfriend when he listens to me. He's the only person who really "gets" me.)

I'm all over the place right now. I think I might be able to get an assessment through my benefits plan - but then what? How would that help me? Even though I've been through all this before with the ADD, it still feels like uncharted territory.

I've been doing lots of reading, but that just seems to muddy the waters. I'm on an online support group for ADD, but it's not much help. Those people are worse off than I am. I feel pretty lost right now. I've spent the entire day sitting here searching, reading, and obsessing about it. I feel like I'm close to a breakthrough or something, but I don't know where to go next..

Anyway, don't mean to sound so morose. It's really cool to have found this place. I look forward to meeting more of you and learning from you. So hello!

Short & sweet. Thank you.

Redacted.

Thanks Fnord & Willard.

Yeah it's kind of funny because I know I'm different. But I guess I got very good at fooling others - even myself at times. Then again, I don't let a lot of ppl get close enough to see the cracks. Maybe that's why..

Actually I just found another thread and it's immensely helpful (but I can't post it coz I guess I'm not allowed.)

So much so, that I actually just sent off an email requesting an assessment. I looked up my coverage and it looks it should be covered (though I don't know the cost just yet.) I honestly don't know why I didn't do this sooner..

It's weird - because I'm not so concerned about a specific diagnosis - but the fact that I'm finally doing something about it is kind of a relief.

Thanks again.

To WrongPlanet!! !

Welkome to WP!

Mick

Thanks for the welcomes!

Unfortunately, it looks like my benefits won't cover much of an assessment. Way too expensive. Oh well..

Welcome to Wrong Planet!