Greetings,
I seem to have run into a bit of a problem recently. As most of you will know I've been trying hard for the last 6 months to try and get someone to assess me (or to even accept that conditions like AS and AD/HD even exist which is just how bad things are here) - but now it seems I've become clinically depressed. I just know that theyre going to use that to fob me off again.
So would depression affect the assessment process were it to take place and if so, how?
I'm sure someone said before that it dosent affect it since the underlyng causes of AS are always there or somethign like that.
I really dont fancy waiting another 6 months since all this is the reason I'm depressed in teh first place.
Wolfy, i know how you feel. At first when i went to a psychiatrist he wouldn't want to know about ADHD either (of which i thought i had it) and it just struck me so hard that i went into a depression.
I kept seeing him though and after a few months he came to the conclusion i had AS (and he admitted that the reason for me being depressed was probably that i had to deal with AS and therefore with low self-esteem etc). The psychiatrist than made me an appointment with a psychologist whome i'm still seeing right now concerning my future with work ans things like that.
It just took a while for the psychiatrist to figure out that i was more "than just depressed" and i had to stress the fact that things have always been like this.
Hang on!
So would depression affect the assessment process were it to take place and if so, how?
Unfortunately, I suspect it depends on the competence of the diagnostician!
I'm wondering why you attatch such importance to clinical evaluation (OK, the C&M didn't pan out for you :? , but what about the others; AQ, SQ, etc., there's no definitive test, so even if a clinician gives you the attention you deserve, it's still just one man's opinion!)? You're sensible, intelligent, and unusually well balanced, so why not make your own estimate?
Are you resistant to publishing your scores from the on-line tests, or just reluctant to try them? If you'd like to PM them to me, I'd be glad to give you an independent assessment in confidence. No this is not an open offer (just for Wolfy, who I've observed for quite some time, and for who I have a high regard).
Greetings,
I've posted results from these tests before here and elsewhere - I have done the AQ one several times now with consistent results of either 41 or 43
As for the need to get properly assessed - A. I'm not usually happy with anything unless I have all the facts and B. My life basically isnt worth living right now (clichéd as that may sound). I've suffered all through my education and what little employment I had and I have no future. These bastards should have recognised somethign in childhood.
And now that I feel like a complete idiot I think I'll take my leave for a while...
Wolfy,
My parents had a talk with my psychiatrist today, because they would like to know what AS really is, they want to understand.
My father was wondering if i would end up being a depressed, frustrated man and the doctor told him they had nothing to worry about, that in the end i'll just accept me for me, but that the process finding out you are autistic and dealing with that sometimes could be rather hard...
I don't know if this comforts you :oops: , but it does comfort me. We just have to hang on for a while and everything will be ok...
What i thought was the most difficult during diagnostical testing and counceling was putting into words how ewactly things felt to me. Also there was so much to tell...you could tell your whole life out there, you know
The weeks before the testing i kept having these imaginary conversations (which i have a lot) with the psychologist. So i would know what to say and how to put it. To be prepared.
Afterwards i thought about the many things i forgot to mention. Maybe you could make a list with the complaints you're having, the problems you're facing in everyday-life? It could make things easier once you're out there. I notice that everytime someone asks me a question that i didn't expect, i can't answer it.
Wolfy,
I think alfonzo has some good ideas here. Have you thought about compiling on paper any and all issues you would want to bring in for a discussion with a psychological expert? Also are there any immediate and extended family members that remember anything "different" about you in your younger years? In school, did any of your teachers ever notice any strangeness about you? If you give yourself whatever time you need, you could surprise yourself with how much you could come up with.
How did I uncover my AS? It was in the wake of a nervous breakdown I had in 2003. During my hospitalization I pushed for and got a formal diagnosis. I don't think your depression would have any bearing on a diagnosis by a competent expert.
I think knowing exactly what it is you have would give you a sense of getting some control. Whatever the next step you take, best of luck!
Greetings,
I wasnt expecting this topic to get brought up again as its nearly 5 months old.
I hate reading over my own posts sometimes (I tend to get a bit 'flaky' now and again when I'm stressed out).
Anyway as far as things go now - still chasing the bastards for an assessment although now its more a case of trying to find an alternative to going private (which I've decided I will do if noone else will see me). Either way I will definately get seen - its just a matter of where and when (and how much it will cost).
The depression getting in the way of the assessment process is nolonger an issue.