Question for the self-diagnosed.

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You would think so, wouldn't you? But apparently it's some kind of specialty, and most of them are clueless, or I wouldn't think we'd see so many stories of misdiagnosis. I've been appalled, ever since I began researching this online, at the number of people who were first diagnosed with something else, and sometimes drugged for that something else. I don't want to get a misdiagnosis or drugs if it's not appropriate. Frankly, I find this rather scary.

I don't think California has any driving restrictions or disclosure for AS. But I didn't know anything about AS the last time I filled out their forms, so I could be wrong. I don't understand why that would be the case. If someone can pass the written and driving tests, or even stand to wait in line for long at a DMV office, they're pretty high functioning.

>>>Quote:
The general consensus is that individuals on the autism spectrum are not suited to teach preschool.


Really?

I helped raise all 6 of my sisters, various nieces, friends children, neighbors kids, etc. >>>

Okay, let me make myself clear, because I'm realizing now that I wasn't clear in what I was saying. What I meant was that most people would be *of the opinion* that people on the spectrum don't have what it takes to care for others, particularly a vulnerable population such as young children. That's what many people are inclined to think. That does not mean that's even remotely accurate. Clearly, I don't agree with that. If I did, I wouldn't be in the field I'm in. *Some* aspies may not be fit to care for young children, but then, I've encountered some NTs who shouldn't be near children, either. Sadly, I've encountered some of these NTs working in preschool classrooms, not so much in my current job, but in schoola where I've worked before. The ability, or inability to care for young children is not directly related to whether or not one is aspie or NT.
I make every effort not to use my (probable) AS as an excuse. I very much want to be a productive, contributing member of society, and I think that in general, I'm reasobly successful in this. Even so, I would like the people closest to me to understand why I am the way I am. For instance, my Mom gets on my case for not going out to buy new clothes as often as I should, for wearing the same worn old clothes again and again. The fact of the matter is, it's not so simple for me to go out and buy things for myself. Just today, I went to a busy department store where there's a sale on coats, because I desperately need a new coat. I was so overwhelmed by the busy environment and the massive amounts of visual stimuli presented by all the merchandise. It took me forever to find the right section, and when I did, I couldn't find what I was looking for. It was all so overwhelming that I wound up leaving the store in tears, and empty-handed. It didn't help that I was aware of time slipping away, time I want to be spending on crtain rituals that are important to me. I need to recharge my mental batteries so I can be functional when I need to be: at work. Keeping my job is a very high priority for me, so being adequately functioal and NT-seeming there is important. Otn days when I'm off, such as today, I need to adhere to particular rituals so I don't burn out, such as browsing on the computer, browsing the children's books at Barnes and Nobles, exercising on one specific elliptical at the gym, and taking a nap. These things are important to me, and that makes it difficult to fit other things in. I expend so much mental and physical energy being functional and NT seeming at work, I don't have enough left to organize my apartment, so my aparttment is frightening. I still hope to find a way to organize my apartment some day.
I don't want to use my AS as an excuse, and I try not to. Still, my functioning is affected, whether or not I want it to be, and it helps me to understand the likely reason. I think that it helps the people closest to me to know why I behave in the ways I do as well, and why certain things don't come as easy for me as they do for other people. I don't need a formal diagnosis for that, though. Overall, I try to function as normally as I possibly can in spite of my challenges. I'm really not interested in making excuses.
Wow, this got far longer than I intended.

Besides money issues, just the whole thought of going in and telling them what i think may be wrong, or i do this or feel like that. I am a very private person. I do not warm up to people easily. And i might think i am a weirdo or something, especially if they say there's nothing wrong with me. Maybe i didn't explain myself the way i wanted to. I guess all this would fall under anxiety? lol

The vast majority of clinical psychologists and psychiatrists are not worth their salt.

That said, I like my psychiatrist, and she knows nothing about ASDs whatsoever.. She sees adults in a general practice, so it's really not something she sees very much.

1) I live in the middle of nowhere. I would have to drive into the city to get to someone with half a clue. I am terrified of city driving (I don't know what the other drivers are going to do).
2) My insurance does not cover mental health and I am a grad student. That means I am broke.
3) I do not have a lot of faith in the mental health system as a whole, which is particularly sad as I currently hold a degree in Psychology!
4) I am afraid of finding a shrink. By this I mean I am afraid to make phone calls and set up meetings. I do not want to meet another professional and have to explain myself. I'm not always that articulate when I have to describe myself out loud, nor am I always accurate. Can I just send someone an email?

Actually, could I just email someone this post? And the 100 or so other ones I've put up here?

But I'm also not "self-diagnosed", at least according to my profile on here. Not because I don't believe myself, but because there can be a lot of hating going on with the whole idea of self-diagnosis, and I'm the target of enough hate in my offline life to want to get any here.

I want to pursue a diagnosis. It would allow me to post on here and not feel like I'm lying a little bit. I don't lie, but I feel sometimes like people won't take me seriously if I'm not "professionally diagnosed". Also, it would give me validation (this is the big one, I think). Hearing a shrink say it would allow me to make sense of my life as it has been for the last 26 years!

But what's getting in the way are things that are so indicative of an ASD. The biggest reason I have not started that whole process of diagnosis is probably because I don't know how to do it! Do you call (gulp) a shrink's office and say "Hi, I think I'm kind of autistic but maybe not and what do I do to find out and how do I get to your office without driving on any busy roads and do I bring a list or something..."?

Yeah, I should just email someone this post.

This neurological condition is the first one I have ever heard of where when you have it, the medical profession says "alright, how may I help you?" If you had a broken leg, could you imagine some doctor saying, "I see you have a bad break there, how would you like it fixed up for you?" Or, a surgeon "we will get started if you tell me where to cut, what to remove or repair and then how to sew you back up again. Would you like a sterile or non sterile environment while I am doing that? Just tell me what you need"

Exactly! This is why I have a plan for when I do go in and talk to someone. I am somehow going to try to get an appointment for simply "diagnosis" (if I can manage to explain that on the phone!) and then tell the poor, unsuspecting shrink everything I can think to tell (I think a list will be used) about myself and my life. The shrink can make the decision. Or perhaps send the shrink an email of that list so she (not he, sorry, guys) will have a clue.

Although I have gone into the ER before, told the doctors what was wrong and how they should fix it! They probably think I'm a hypochondriac. In truth, medicine is just one of my "things"!

As I am in graduate school and working, I simply do not have the time, as that would require me making several trips a minimum of two hours away to see a specialist. I probably won't have time until I graduate.

I was told by my old shrink that I most likely do have AS, but what would a diagnosis change for the better in the here and now? I need to do a lot more research on the possible negatives of a diagnosis too, like inability to get certain jobs in the future, etc.

I lucked out (am diagnosed), I live within an hour of the Cleveland Clinic and got my dx back in 1991. Seems like there's no shortage here - maybe the rumors about people from Cleveland being crazy are true? There's no shortage of psychologists and to add to that plenty of doctors around here who can make it happen.

As for right now though, if I'd never been diagnosed if it would actually happen - I'm a bit doubtful, my symptoms were a lot worse when I was younger. Its extremely difficult to see now.

There's no shortage of crazy people around here! Just a really serious shortage of remotely competent shrinks!

Strange, that's usually the profession they go to in order to try and make sense of themselves

Yes.. I was once one on of those people! But I ended up failing at that too.

I think that effect is more evident in college towns or cities with bunches of schools... There's one small college in the county, but this is really a military town. You can't have that same effect of the crazy people getting degrees in psychology when the only college in the area is small and private.

i could only do one reason. chose "other" because it's also (in addition to cost) why.

the other is this: every time i've had a new therapist, i've had a new diagnosis. so for me at least, they're not worth much.


obviously, not the case for everyone.

Mainly because my mother, in particular, does not want me to get diagnosed because she's paranoid despite the fact that I've researched it and assured her it would have no negative impact on my life. She accepts that I have it, but she's in denial about how much it affects my life. Once she's decided she's right, nothing can change her mind, and she will fight me tooth, claw, and nail if I decide to go against her misguided opinion. She will put significant barriers in front of me if I choose to seek diagnosis. However, I do have an appointment with a psychiatrist scheduled for December 17 for treatment of my depression. I plan to tell him, without informing her. For me, I need closure, and I need something I can tell people to explain things.

Does your mom have to know?

Will your psychiatrist do an assessment without interviewing a relative (or two)? I have a similar situation with parents who are hostile to the idea of being interviewed by a shrink; talking them into that may be impossible, and even if not, what they end up saying may have little connection to the truth. I've just been under the impression that the relative interview part is required, but I don't know that for certain.