Just saw my new psychiatrist, a bit disappointed...

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Well, I just saw my new psychiatrist, and am a bit frustrated. While he did agree that my symptoms are consistent with PDD (pervasive development disorder) and potentially AS (who wouldn't after all the symptoms I mentioned), I couldn't get anything concrete in terms of how to address these issues. The approach he took was basically to focus on my anxiety, likely because I was extremely nervous, as I feel that conventional therapy has been a complete failure for me. My wife was with me, and she mentioned that I looked nervous. Well, I felt in a way that this was my last chance and that a lot hung in the balance. That may not be rational, but I think I pinned a lot of hopes on this session.

Anyway, I basically told him that I wanted a standardized, in-depth evaluation, because it's easy for me to steer psychiatrists in the wrong direction, and since I read a lot, I usually go in with my own notions of what is wrong with me, and I tend to forget to mention things because they don't fit with my pre-conceived notion of what I think is wrong with me. So, I was a bit disappointed that he just took notes, without doing any real functional evaluation. He also didn't seem to have anything better to suggest than cognitive behavioral therapy.

He did refer me to someone that is a diagnostician, and would be able to do the MMPI. I'm not sure how the MMPI would play into an AS diagnosis. I thought the ADOS was a more appropriate test. It doesn't give me a lot of faith that these people know what they are doing. That, and there was a ton of traffic, it took me the better part of the afternoon to see him.

I no longer place any real faith in psychiatists...one can easily "see" one thousand psychiatrists and end up with one thousand
diagnoses. Psychiatrists are only interested in one thing (besides their income) and that is, in prescribing medication... Oftentimes, medication is truly not needed and can do more harm than good.

I have for over two decades resented the psychiatric industry. I have achieved little benefit from their "help." I'm not saying that these people are bad, but they have not done me any good. A neurologist will do an autistic person more good than a psychiatrist.

Last edited by cyberscan on 14 May 2009, 6:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I think a lot of their negligence (and their insistence on drugging us silly ) has to do with their ZERO lack of knowledge of how to deal with their patients. No doctorate on the planet can give them the skills to deal with someone like me.

I used to see a psychiatrist. I hated that b***h and I doubt the meds I used to be on helped me much.

What made you think a psychiatrist would be able to help you obtain clarity. Most have little understanding or awareness of ASDs. If you you need medication for a major psychiatric disorder such as, schizophrenia, Bipolar 1 or psychosis.

Seek out a Clinical psychologist(Dr of psychology) who specialises in ASDs for a thorough assessment. Some University psychology departments may have assessment capabilities or google national autism organisations for professions who specialises in ASD diagnoses.

Don't give up or loose hope in attaining resolution.

BTW if you want to take every known psychotropic medication, keep consulting psychiatrists, that is their primary function.

What was really annoying was that the two medications he recommended are ones I've already been on. I totally understand why they want to put me on anxiety meds. I'm very nervous when I see them. But, part of that is because I don't have a lot of faith in their ability to diagnose. The whole subjectiveness of the experience makes me wonder if I will act too normal, and therefore, not be taken seriously, when in fact, I have some serious, debilitating issues. I feel like I'm on a roller coaster every time I see them, getting my hopes up, trying new medications, and being let down over and over.

I'm a bit overwhelmed by the fact that there are very few places to get diagnosed in Saint Louis, MO (metro area has 2.5 million people). I've also seen recommendations for diagnosticians in Kansas City, which is 300 miles away. Can anyone else see the stupidity in requiring someone with an autism spectrum disorder to travel to another city to get diagnosed? Seriously, what the hell is wrong with these people? No wonder the diagnosis are increasing, do they seriously believe that they could have diagnosed people with ASD by requiring them to travel? *boggle*

So, we have 2.5 million people, and only a few specialists that can do the proper tests. The first place I talked to wanted $400 for the ADOS. So, now I need to call a couple of other diagnostic specialists and see what they charge (probably a similar amount). But, even if I get the diagnosis, I can't find any specialists in ASD. When I went to my insurance company's website, and checked specialists for autism, I got nothing back. So far, I get this fuzzy kind of feedback that I seem to be on this spectrum, but the treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, antidepressants and anxiolitics, remains the exact same.

Anyway, sorry for ranting, just a bit disappointed at the moment. I'm sure I'll feel better later.

What I've noticed is that the first time a person sees a psychiatrist it's basically about getting to know eachother & about discussing why you are there. When I went to see a psych to get my AS diagnosis I wasn't diagnosed straight away, it took time and included my mother being asked questions about my childhood, my current behavior etc. It was only after a few meetings like this that she was able to evaluate me properly because she had all the information.
Psychiatrists do take a lot of notes but that IS so they can look over them again, which means that they are obviously thinking about what to do for you. Cognitive behavior therapy isn't such a bad idea either if you struggle with anxiety.



Well, I guess you can ask the diagnostocian about this when you go to get evaluated.
They will most likely know which test is suitable & if they don't, they shouldn't be doing that job.

The problem is, I've already done CBT. I've also been seeing a different psych for the past two years. The only thing she has done is move me from one med to another, with limited success. I'm fine with them doing their job and taking a while to diagnose. The problem I've been having is that they don't really diagnose from everything I've seen. They merely treat you for whatever you think you have the first day you walk in, or they treat you for whatever they are familiar with. So, my previous psych mainly treated anxiety and depression, and that was all she saw in me. This makes it very frustrating as a patient. It's as if you have to already know what is wrong in advance, and then go see someone who can properly diagnose that particular condition.

Sorry if I'm sounding agitated. I think I had too much caffeine today, and the drive out to see him took 2 hours (we're having major road work done, and so there is quite a bit of congestion). It was extremely stressful. Thanks for the support everyone.

I agree that moving you from one med to another with limited success is quite useless. Usually psychiatrists do this when they have no idea what to do with a patient, they hope something will start working. Oh & if you've already done CBT then I think it's pretty useless for a psych to suggest it again, but I think that your previous psych was right in treating you for anxiety & depression if you had those conditions, even if she didn't mention AS.
I agree with what an above poster said, go & see someone who specializes in ASD's for a diagnosis. It sounds like the psychiatrists you have been to so far haven't been very pro-active.

Diagnosing/treating someone with AS is essentially not the job of a psychiatrist. Pharmaceuticals are their livelyhood. Until one is made for treating AS, psychiatrists will typically refuse to recognize AS. They will look for things in you that pharmaceuticals are marketed as treatments for.

Look into psychologists, then narrow it down to the ones who list AS or 'autism spectrum' as something they're experienced with.

I tell everyone this on the boards, so I must sound like a broken record, but..

See a specialist!

See only an expert in ASD's. The MMPI tells nothing about Asperger's.

I agree completely. When I called the psychiatric referral service I asked specifically for people that specialize in diagnosing and treating Asperger's. When I called the psych's office to make the appointment, they said that the psych I was referred to was booked, but they had someone else in the same office. I asked if he treated Asperger's and they said that he treated a few patients with it. In retrospect, I guess I should have (again) clarified that I needed a specialist, not someone who simply needed new patients, but a specialist.

So, I'm back at square one, and am at a loss as to how to find specialists. I definitely don't want to spend another 4 hours driving out to see a "specialist" that has no real experience in diagnosing and treating it. I looked at Grasp's website, and a few others, and they don't list anyone near Saint Louis. How exactly do we go about finding specialists? Here in the midwest, the only specialists are in pediatrics. Any advice on how to find a specialist would definitely be appreciated.

There's nothing you can do to help the problems that an ASD causes in regards to therapy in an adult, so he can't offer anything, except CBT for secondary anxiety. So in a way, even experts will do the same thing, other than offering you advice from what other people with an ASD have found helps, i.e., avoid places that hurt you due to over stimulation, try to plan things out beforehand if you haven't done such, don't bother trying to interact with most normal people (this latter one probably isn't a popular piece of advice, but it's one I've found to be extremely helpful).

MMPI won't be for an ASD; if you have an ASD, it'll show that you have Schizophrenia on said test. It'll pick up various other mental disorders if you have them (anxiety and mood disorders, but these can be secondary to an ASD too rather than a primary disorder).

I'm sure there's someone around you who can diagnose an ASD with a high level of accuracy; it's fairly easy with even the most basic of training in such (most generic psychics and psychos don't even have this).

Many of us have been through the same 'Merry go round'. I don't think there is a med I have not been prescribed and all give me adverse side effects.

There is a huge difference in CBT technique from my Clinical psychologist who specialises in Aspergers compared with your general psychologist. Mine has a white board to re-enforce strategies and therapy techniques. Uses many visual aides and her understanding of what I'm attempting to express about distressing behaviour is impressive. Usually I would get aggitated and stressed at not expressing my thoughts properly. I believe it is how she makes me understand my behaviour and thinking, never judges or critisizes, but suggest how others would view it and suggest solutions to diminish the negative reactions from people. She respects my input and comment during the consultation, there is no domination of the client.

Got double lucky with her, she specialises in relationship councelling and sex therapy. Saved my marriage and I could talk about sensative matters that have confused me since adolesence.

Just rambling here, but like I said don't give up and maybe you have to pay $400 for peace of mind.

Hope things work out for you soon.