etherealUK
Active Member
Hi, would welcome some advice as someone (in a roundabout way on FB) seems to want me to know more about high-functioning autism. Wasn't sure if it was about me or someone I know (or both of us!), though should probably start with me.
Have had a few diagnosis: generalised anxiety (mainly social), panic attacks, mixed anxiety and depression, possible Bipolar 2 (strong family history), though never been really comfortable with any of them, saw myself as predominantly social phobia/generalised anxiety perhaps. Just restarted citalopram (works for anxiety/panic up to a point) and reluctantly lamotrgine (probably doesn't work at all) after a 9 month break off, panic/anxiety had started to return and had become distant, unmotivated and not really enjoying anything.
Very shaky employment history, I used to work for 6 months to a year then burnout and take a break, not worked in a long time now having drifted into caring for an elderly parent. Tend to concentrate on particular hobbies to extremes, music and photography usually, my attention is much more on other people/things rather than what's going on with myself. Isolating despite not really wanting to do that has been a strong feature in my life. Decluttering, organising, perfectionist all strong traits, social skills lacking often.
Have had CBT (didn't really help as knew that kind of logic already) and psychotherapy for a year (made me worse), all about 10-15 years ago. Surprised to be referred to a child psychotherapist at age 30 (particularly whilst working in child health!), never told why, all a bit abstract to me. 3 healthcare degrees doesn't seem to help me as can rationalise for different scenarios.
Scored 40/42 (34+ is possible Aspergers) on one questionnaire, repeated on different days, might be some overlap with the other diagnosis I mentioned though (rationalising again
). Will see family Dr again in a couple of weeks, they're hard-pressed for time where I live (UK), shall probably just say carry on with meds. and see again in 6 months for another blood pressure and weight check (which doesn't really help me much then). Hyperminded is a word that I recently learned via Autism Awareness that made a lot of sense to me, was thinking of aforementioned friend to begin with, then started to realise it could equally apply to me. Always overthinking and working out different possible scenarios. Anything more proactive to do? More thorough screening test perhaps, sorry for the ramble.
Have had a few diagnosis: generalised anxiety (mainly social), panic attacks, mixed anxiety and depression, possible Bipolar 2 (strong family history), though never been really comfortable with any of them, saw myself as predominantly social phobia/generalised anxiety perhaps. Just restarted citalopram (works for anxiety/panic up to a point) and reluctantly lamotrgine (probably doesn't work at all) after a 9 month break off, panic/anxiety had started to return and had become distant, unmotivated and not really enjoying anything.
Very shaky employment history, I used to work for 6 months to a year then burnout and take a break, not worked in a long time now having drifted into caring for an elderly parent. Tend to concentrate on particular hobbies to extremes, music and photography usually, my attention is much more on other people/things rather than what's going on with myself. Isolating despite not really wanting to do that has been a strong feature in my life. Decluttering, organising, perfectionist all strong traits, social skills lacking often.
Have had CBT (didn't really help as knew that kind of logic already) and psychotherapy for a year (made me worse), all about 10-15 years ago. Surprised to be referred to a child psychotherapist at age 30 (particularly whilst working in child health!), never told why, all a bit abstract to me. 3 healthcare degrees doesn't seem to help me as can rationalise for different scenarios.
Scored 40/42 (34+ is possible Aspergers) on one questionnaire, repeated on different days, might be some overlap with the other diagnosis I mentioned though (rationalising again
). Will see family Dr again in a couple of weeks, they're hard-pressed for time where I live (UK), shall probably just say carry on with meds. and see again in 6 months for another blood pressure and weight check (which doesn't really help me much then). Hyperminded is a word that I recently learned via Autism Awareness that made a lot of sense to me, was thinking of aforementioned friend to begin with, then started to realise it could equally apply to me. Always overthinking and working out different possible scenarios. Anything more proactive to do? More thorough screening test perhaps, sorry for the ramble.
