Gettting assessed

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Hello. For a while now, I have been going back and forth on whether I have BPD, ASD, or some sort of other issue. I have done a lot of reading, and I think it is time I get tested. Now, my issue is I have never had a good psychiatrist, and I have never been to a Neuropsychiatrist. Everyone I have gotten an assessment with is not empathetic, does not listen to my symptoms/frequency of them, and uses a checklist to diagnose me. The appointments usually are not even longer than 30 minutes, which seems awfully short to give me an accurate diagnosis. I was also severely abused, and I feel I have been away from my abusers for long enough that my "real" symptoms are finally showing up. I think I used to mimic my abusive mother who most likely has BPD.

I do know I have other emotional issues, so even if I was on the spectrum, I would like those to be addressed. I also would prefer someone to rule out things like Schizophrenia and BPD. I've always been considered a complex case, and I am sick of therapists telling me I will never be able to pinpoint what is wrong because I am on the border of every diagnosis they can think of. I feel like this is a cop out.

I would like to know how to go about finding someone to assess me? Would a Neuropsychiatrist be the way to go? I'm thinking they should specialize in Autism, but then that worries me they can not rule out things like BPD. Also, I am an adult female. I keep thinking that this will make a difference, as I know a lot of females are misdiagnosed. I also do not have much money, so I am really wondering on how to find what I am looking for so I can finally get a more objective opinion. I am in the LA area, and I'm willing to travel possibly more than 50 miles if it means I can find someone to help.

I keep having people tell me there is no reason to get assessed for anything since I am an adult. However, whatever is different about me has affected my functioning to the point where I feel like giving up. I would like to finally pinpoint everything so I can learn how to be social, how to stay at a job, and to also help me when I go to college next year. Right now, almost everyone who meets me uses words like weird, awkward, eccentric, and odd to describe me. I really just want to fit in.

Any opinions on this, especially from people who were in a similar situation, are very welcome. I am mainly asking if any one has any recommendations on who I can go to. Also, if anyone has any questions they would recommend I ask the person before getting assessed by them, please let me know. I tend to stumble over my words when I am near a psychiatrist, so I really hope someone can refer me to a kind person.

I usually do not do this, but I really need help finding someone. So, bump.

If you're in LA you shouldn't have any trouble finding a qualified specialist in range. There should be some autism support networks there. Contact one and ask for a recommendation.

Thank you. I was wondering about that, but as I said, I do not have much experience with this. I will try doing that. Do you have any recommendations on questions I should ask besides if they are experienced with adults and females?

This may not apply to you, but through my mental health insurance (I have it through my job) I am able to search a database of providers to find their specialties. For example I can search by level of training (therapist vs. psychiatrist) and if they specialize in Austim spectrum disorders.

I would just tell them my situation: adult female suspected of having an ASD, seeking a specialist in that specific area. They should be able to point you in the right direction.

I usually do not do this, but I really need help finding someone. So, bump.

It strikes me that I'm not sure if by "LA" you mean Los Angeles or Louisiana?

I meant Los Angeles. I think that was a double post. I didn't post that "bump" again. Weird.

Oh, OK. That is strange. Have you checked around for autism support groups in your area?

I have, and I found one that was discounted. However, I am mostly confused on if I should be looking for a Neuropsychiatrist or does it even matter. I have also heard horror stories about women going to get assessed, so I thought I would take my chances on here and try to ask for references.

I'm still seeking an assessment myself. Or rather, I'm waiting for my assessment, having found a doctor experienced with assessing adult males with high functioning autism spectrum disorders. I wish I could give you more specific information, but I have a couple of suggestions: (1) Search the forums here. There are a ton of threads going years back on the issue of seeking assessments and how to go about it. (2) Arm yourself with as much information as possible. Read books, anecdotal accounts, and peer-reviewed articles. (Regarding the latter, you can IM me.) From what I've read on here, some doctors get offended/annoyed if you present yourself as a "know-it-all", but I think if you find a good doctor they'll appreciate your research. The point of the research, though, is that you'll be able to discuss in detail how females present with Asperger's/ASDs and how you fit the description. Any doctor worth seeing is going to know that females present very differently than males. But if you end up with one who doesn't, or only has a very narrow, stereotypical view of autism, then your knowledge will do two things: (a) Allow you to retort (and hopefully to present them with research materials), and (b) keep your self-esteem up. From what I can tell, most people on here who seek an assessment do get diagnosed. But some complain that, even though they fit the criteria, they don't get the diagnosis because their assessor has a narrow view of how the disorder presents.

Having said that (and sorry if it's not that coherent--I'm drinking, as always), your local autism support network is more than likely aware of all these issues and might be able to give more detailed advice.

I hope it works out for you. I'm very much in need of a diagnosis myself, as living an adult life is just not something I know how to do (even at 25), not to mention the horrid mental health issues attendant to ASDs

Thank you. I know what you mean about not being able to live an adult life. It can be quite horrifying.

I think I will just have to have the courage to present my knowledge. I think you are right; A good doctor will appreciate my knowledge about the subject. It is also not unheard of for someone on the spectrum to have massive amounts of knowledge on the condition.