Not officially diagnosed...still trying to figure this out?

[Esimpleman97]

Hello,

I have seen, psycologists, psychatrists, therapists and just recently I went to a therapist asking for a diagnosis for some form of autism. She told me she wasnt an expert and that what we figured out was that I was higher functioning on the scale. But I still want to get a second opinion. Maybe you can help?

Background:
I was born with a embilical cord around my neck. I remember being more interested in playing with toys than creating friends. In elimentary to high school I was diagnosed with ADD (never took medication) and had problems sitting still and paying attention. I also remember going to see someone who would help me try and form sentences and put words together (I dont know what that was about?).

Family Life:
Parents always were fighting. Father was emotionally abusive and extremely angry person. I feared for my life many times.

Past Social Life:
In high school I would walk the halls talking to pretty much no one and just watching everyone else. My only friend was an autistic boy. I remember my mother saying we were perfect for each other...(did she not want to tell me I was autistic too? idk)
In college I decided to go for engineering (very difficult while dealing with social anxiety, depression, anger issues and abusive father at home).
I had school friends but was not able/ figure out how to have actual friends that hung out and enjoyed each others company/conversations.

Love Life:
Ive had 3 relationships in my life all of which lasted less than a year. I have always been confused when it came to my sexuality (socially) and how to appropriatly go about displaying what I wanted.

Currently:
I am trying to attract another girlfriend and have a long lasting relationship. I have friends but do not have good close friends. I feel awkward at work sometimes in terms of how to act appropriately in terms of displaying my funny side, thoughts, feelings, etc. For so much of my life I have just been copying what other people do and trying to fit in. Just recently I have started to feel more and more like myself and feel more confident being myself.
I still dont know how to have fun around other people, meaning poking/proding, use of sarcasm, whats appropriate behavior whats not. etc. Also if this matters, I tend to stick to buying the same type of food every week. Everything else seems normal to me routine wise.


What do you think?

 

[Streetwise]

are you really struggling financially is ?your life unbearable?
if not diagnosis may not be for you, i was and i was burned out
i DONT think there are many therapists who know exactly what all forms of autism are, my gp did but he was one and he wasnt qualified to diagnose me, which is ridiculous knowing the amount of nhs employed therapists in the UK

Hello,

I have seen, psycologists, psychatrists, therapists and just recently I went to a therapist asking for a diagnosis for some form of autism. She told me she wasnt an expert and that what we figured out was that I was higher functioning on the scale. But I still want to get a second opinion. Maybe you can help?

Background:
I was born with a embilical cord around my neck. I remember being more interested in playing with toys than creating friends. In elimentary to high school I was diagnosed with ADD (never took medication) and had problems sitting still and paying attention. I also remember going to see someone who would help me try and form sentences and put words together (I dont know what that was about?).

Family Life:
Parents always were fighting. Father was emotionally abusive and extremely angry person. I feared for my life many times.

Past Social Life:
In high school I would walk the halls talking to pretty much no one and just watching everyone else. My only friend was an autistic boy. I remember my mother saying we were perfect for each other...(did she not want to tell me I was autistic too? idk)
In college I decided to go for engineering (very difficult while dealing with social anxiety, depression, anger issues and abusive father at home).
I had school friends but was not able/ figure out how to have actual friends that hung out and enjoyed each others company/conversations.

Love Life:
Ive had 3 relationships in my life all of which lasted less than a year. I have always been confused when it came to my sexuality (socially) and how to appropriatly go about displaying what I wanted.

Currently:
I am trying to attract another girlfriend and have a long lasting relationship. I have friends but do not have good close friends. I feel awkward at work sometimes in terms of how to act appropriately in terms of displaying my funny side, thoughts, feelings, etc. For so much of my life I have just been copying what other people do and trying to fit in. Just recently I have started to feel more and more like myself and feel more confident being myself.
I still dont know how to have fun around other people, meaning poking/proding, use of sarcasm, whats appropriate behavior whats not. etc. Also if this matters, I tend to stick to buying the same type of food every week. Everything else seems normal to me routine wise.


What do you think?

 

[xudo]

But I still want to get a second opinion. Maybe you can help?

Ultimately, nobody here can diagnose you. People can (and probably will) point out that there maybe things you've mentioned that could possibly indicate ASD, but they could also be indicative of other things. However, none of us are qualified to actually diagnose.

What do you think?

I think that if it's playing on your mind and getting a professional second opinion is something that you really want to do (and are able to do, as I realise you're probably in a country where diagnosis isn't cheap) then you should do it. You may be happy to be told that it's a possibility that you're on the spectrum, or it may play on your mind until you can obtain a professional opinion. If it's the latter, then maybe have a look online for an autism specialist in your area who you may be able to see.

 

[Momo]

If you want it might be a good idea too seek a diagnosis if you think it will benefit you, or just so you can feel certain of what you are and not crazy. I am currently thinking about getting a professional diagnosis myself.

 

[Bella Pines]

You may be happy to be told that it's a possibility that you're on the spectrum, or it may play on your mind until you can obtain a professional opinion.

That is very very true. We can relate to parts of your history. I used to think I had friends but I found out they all used to go on holidays together without me. Over time I realised that I neither have nor seek close friends and in actual fact when I am thrown together with someone I end up pushing them away anyway.

But I'm happy with who I am and I understand how my brain works. For me I didn't have any use of an official diagnosis, probably because I was older and already settled with people who (finally, after many many years) accepted me. So I took a bunch of online tests, made friends (as much as I ever do) with someone whose child had aspergers and stopped there.

But only you know what you want, what is it you are looking for? To explain to your family? To understand yourself? Will it play on your mind unless you are officially diagnosed? What do you need in order to move forward with your life?

 

[xudo]

But only you know what you want, what is it you are looking for? To explain to your family? To understand yourself? Will it play on your mind unless you are officially diagnosed? What do you need in order to move forward with your life?

It should also be pointed out that in a lot of instances, help and support for issues stemming from ASD can only be obtained with a professional diagnosis. So if that's something you were looking for, then being assessed may be beneficial.

 

[WereBear]

Can you try some things that are supposed to help people on the spectrum or people with ADD and see if they do? It can point you in a direction, it can lead to strategies that help, and if they work, they work!

Even though I was professionally diagnosed, every single thing that is helping was discovered by me and implemented by me. This isn't going to work like cause and effect, sadly.