Difficulty pursuing diagnosis

[Mark_D]

Today I talked a second Psychiatrist about pursuing a diagnosis of Aspergers. Both of them were reluctant to move on it. The first said there was no treatment, so what was the purpose of getting an official diagnosis. Today the lady wanted to know what I expected to improve if I got a diagnosis. I told her I thought it might help my wife be a little more understanding. I also mentioned that if I had a diagnosis, I would have a better chance of getting assistance if I got laid off from work. She said I should consider the possibility of a career cage to lower my stress.

I get the distinct impression that there's a down side to have an official diagnosis . I don't understand what that might be. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

[Arashi222]

Today I talked a second Psychiatrist about pursuing a diagnosis of Aspergers. Both of them were reluctant to move on it. The first said there was no treatment, so what was the purpose of getting an official diagnosis. Today the lady wanted to know what I expected to improve if I got a diagnosis. I told her I thought it might help my wife be a little more understanding. I also mentioned that if I had a diagnosis, I would have a better chance of getting assistance if I got laid off from work. She said I should consider the possibility of a career cage to lower my stress.

I get the distinct impression that there's a down side to have an official diagnosis . I don't understand what that might be. Does anyone know anything about this?

The issue with getting a dx right now and I ran into this too on my reevaluation was that with the new DSM its going to be different Aspergers and PDD NOS are not going to exist any longer. You will be considered to be on the ASD ( Autistic Spectrum Disorders). Granted there is no cure, but to be honest having a diagnosis helps with allowing people to understand, gives you another means to explain some of the puzzle that is being you.
My suggestion would be to talk to someone who is actually trained in ASD's. They are often have a differing view on being diagnosed because there is usually other things that go along with it. Often Insurance does not pay for all of it too that can be a set back. The offical dx can help in terms of therapy because they will understand how to help you better with the other issues. Good luck!

 

[Heissonear]

Mark,

As Arashi has suggested, seeking someone who is specialized with Aspergers or the new name may be best.

What I needed was to first find out why I did some of the things I do - the traits of people with Aspergers. The second was to manage those personality traits. It was evident to me and my wife that I had Aspergers. For me, there was no need for an official rx diagnosis.

I hope thy information discussed on this forum helps you in many ways.

 

[Mark_D]

So, what could possibly be bad about having an official diagnosis of AS? I can't understand the reluctance. It's not that they weren't qualified, but I felt that they both believed that at best it would not help anything. The VA doctor suggested that a diagnosis might even make things worse with my wife. Has anyone had a spouse or partner use your diagnosis against you in some way?

Have any of you suffered negative consequences after being diagnosed with AS?

 

[Ste11aeres]

So, what could possibly be bad about having an official diagnosis of AS? I can't understand the reluctance. It's not that they weren't qualified, but I felt that they both believed that at best it would not help anything. The VA doctor suggested that a diagnosis might even make things worse with my wife. Has anyone had a spouse or partner use your diagnosis against you in some way?

Have any of you suffered negative consequences after being diagnosed with AS?

Actually sharing with my best friend that I probably had aspergers was a huge step forward in our relationship, and we became closer. (He shared that he might have it. also.) get the book "The Journal of Best Practices" about how discovering his aspergers transformed, positively, the author's relationship with his wife.

 

[Arashi222]

I find that it really depends on what you are looking to get out of the dx. For me it has been helpful, plus I have also learned over the years that I need to tell people, it helps them understand. But different people react differently. Your doctors may be trying to avoid it harming your relationship if they believe it will not help your situation, honestly I would suggest actually talking to someone who actually specailizes in autism. WHile there is no cure(I would not want to be cured I am who I am) it does have its ups and downs and understanding them and being able to take advantage of services is important. Two like I said before the DSM is changing and that means that you will not be given the label of AS or PDD NOS you will be placed on a scale on the Autism Spectrum. Sooo it really depends on if you think it will help you.

 

[Peter A.]

She said I should consider the possibility of a career cage to lower my stress.

What's a career cage?

 

[Loomis]

Psychiatrists almost always use medication as their only form of treatment. Since there is no specific pharmaceutical therapy recommended for autism I can easily see why psychiatrists have no interest in diagnosing autism. However, even a psychiatrist will treat symptoms that people on the spectrum suffer from. Anxiety is a common complaint among people on the spectrum and the psychiatrists will usually be quite willing to prescribe a benzodiazapam for it. Many of us have also used antidepressants. If you are co-morbid with obsessive compulsive disorder there are medications that will tend to quiet the ruminations in your mind. If you have ADHD along with your autism a psychiatrist will usually be willing to prescribe a stimulant like adderall or ritalin. Frankly I think it is very strange that psychiatrists would not see the benefit from totally understanding a patient's full diagnosis but in my experience psychiatrists tend to ask you what symptoms you are experiencing and then they start trying various medications until one of them works. I have found it is far better to get an accurate diagnosis from a psychologist first then go to the psychiatrist, tell him what you have as well as the cluster of symptoms you are experiencing and discuss what medications might be appropriate. I would even take it a step further and go into the psychiatrist's office with a diagnosis and then tell him what drugs you think he should prescribe. This has worked well for me. A psychologist can also treat your your autism with cognitive behavioral therapy as well as help to narrow down whether specific drugs might be beneficial. I am very cynical about psychiatrists. In my opinion they are only good for writing prescriptions.

The other thing about getting a diagnosis is it will help you to understand your own behavior. Many of us have found this to be of great benefit in our lives and relationships.

 

[oscar2012]

HI it took me 2years to get my diagnosis and it does make a big differance it did to me

 

[Mark_D]

What's a career cage?

That should read "career change" :redface:

Psychiatrists almost always use medication as their only form of treatment. Since there is no specific pharmaceutical therapy recommended for autism I can easily see why psychiatrists have no interest in diagnosing autism. However, even a psychiatrist will treat symptoms that people on the spectrum suffer from. Anxiety is a common complaint among people on the spectrum and the psychiatrists will usually be quite willing to prescribe a benzodiazapam for it. Many of us have also used antidepressants. If you are co-morbid with obsessive compulsive disorder there are medications that will tend to quiet the ruminations in your mind. If you have ADHD along with your autism a psychiatrist will usually be willing to prescribe a stimulant like adderall or ritalin. Frankly I think it is very strange that psychiatrists would not see the benefit from totally understanding a patient's full diagnosis but in my experience psychiatrists tend to ask you what symptoms you are experiencing and then they start trying various medications until one of them works. I have found it is far better to get an accurate diagnosis from a psychologist first then go to the psychiatrist, tell him what you have as well as the cluster of symptoms you are experiencing and discuss what medications might be appropriate. I would even take it a step further and go into the psychiatrist's office with a diagnosis and then tell him what drugs you think he should prescribe. This has worked well for me. A psychologist can also treat your your autism with cognitive behavioral therapy as well as help to narrow down whether specific drugs might be beneficial. I am very cynical about psychiatrists. In my opinion they are only good for writing prescriptions.

The other thing about getting a diagnosis is it will help you to understand your own behavior. Many of us have found this to be of great benefit in our lives and relationships.

It probably would have been beneficial to mention that I'm already being treated for depression, anxiety, and ADD. I take Lamotrigine, Bupropion, and Adderal. I take Valium as needed.

 

[King_Oni]

It probably would have been beneficial to mention that I'm already being treated for depression, anxiety, and ADD. I take Lamotrigine, Bupropion, and Adderal. I take Valium as needed.

I've had talks with specialists in the last year or so about my AD(H)D as well as my autism and then some minor "disorders". I'm not on meds and my therapist actually advised against it, since she thought that medication could pretty much put me back at square 1. The fact my autistic traits don't seem that severe pretty much is because I'm going on untreated for AD(H)D. My mind is active enough and probably does a great deal of "escapism" to cope with everything.

I don't know how your meds affect your austistic traits/tendencies and if they'd be less problematic to live with if you're trying a different route. It might be something you could look into with a specialist.

 

[Mark_D]

I am working under the assumption that I do indeed have AS. Working from that vantage point has enabled me to understand problems that existed from infancy, especially sensory overload. I would've nurse because the touching was overwhelming. At the same time, I was hungry, of course. I also obviously got very squirmy when mom tried to hold me to the point I tried to escape the embrace. Then when she put me down I would cry because I wanted to be held. I am very sensitive to visual and auditory stimulation.

I'm not sure I really need a written and official diagnosis at least at this point.

 

[Mark_D]

I've had talks with specialists in the last year or so about my AD(H)D as well as my autism and then some minor "disorders". I'm not on meds and my therapist actually advised against it, since she thought that medication could pretty much put me back at square 1. The fact my autistic traits don't seem that severe pretty much is because I'm going on untreated for AD(H)D. My mind is active enough and probably does a great deal of "escapism" to cope with everything.

I don't know how your meds affect your austistic traits/tendencies and if they'd be less problematic to live with if you're trying a different route. It might be something you could look into with a specialist.

The meds actually help a lot. An inadequate brain-to mouth filter and its outcomes along with obsessive thoughts contributed greatly to my depression. Anxiety, sometimes for reasons I can't identify, has been the source of much frustration. Having meds to lessen these symptoms allows me to be more objective so I can be somewhat aware of what's going on with me. Adderal has really helped to diminish those pesky thoughts and impulses that send me on a tangent when I'm working on something.

Bottom line, the meds help me. I wish I didn't need them but I'm happier with myself when taking them.