Newbie diagnosed with PDD-NOS this past Wednesday 6-6-12,

Page 1 of 1 [ 4 posts ]

Joined: 9 Jun 2012
Age: 50
Gender: Male
Posts: 2
Location: Sarasota, Florida

11 Jun 2012, 1:22 am

Hi Everyone,
It has been a weird few months of ASD testing for me. But I was just diagnosed with PDD-NOS this past Wednesday 6/6/12 at age 38. I always knew I was kind of awkward my entire life, teased a lot, pushed around, etc. Always found myself having to fight for respect from others (sometimes literally). Seen Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers, and various types of shrinks my entire life. They only have really diagnosed me with Depression and Anxiety gave me various meds and some talk therapy, never really getting anywhere.

My current psychologist a few months ago (after seeing her for 4 months) said she thinks that I may have Asperger's, and that I should go for testing. Hmm, first time I heard that I might have this. I knew my Aunt has this, but never thought I could have this also, because, well, she is totally out of control (she has a very severe case as it turns out and a few other issues). When I went to talk to my brother and his wife about it (they are both newbie Psychologists), they said that they suspected that I had it for the past year and a half! WTF! Apparently they told our folks of their suspicions months prior, and never felt that it was the right time to tell me! WTF, again! I just relocated from New Jersey to Florida about a year prior to this, after being laid-off and a failed long term relationship to be closer to my family who all relocated to FL the year prior, from which I left behind some very close friends and the only hoer I ever knew (NY/NJ area). Now I felt that I should have never have moved, because I sure could have used friend at that point.

Meanwhile, since coming down to Florida I have been through 3 jobs in two years (never been unemployed for the 10 years prior), I felt my life was falling apart. So, I agreed to get tested. The tester administered the ADOS and ADI-R, I was interviewed, my parents were interviewed, my brother and sister-in-law were interviewed, and my Psychologist was consulted twice. As I said earlier, the determination came back that I had PDD-NOS. The testing psychologist explained to me and my folks what it was, but I am still totally confused as to what it means?!? It just seems like a catch-all for anything that smells like it has Autisyic traits but can't be proven definitively. I was also told that when DSM-5 comes out next year, it is likely that I wouldn't even be on the ASD spectrum! Meanwhile my brother and Sister-in-law, are second guessing the test and feel I have Asperger's, while others professionals who I am acquainted with don't think I have anything at all.

Believe me, I know I need help, and are dying to fit in and get on with my life! But there is so little information on PDD-NOS because it is defined by what it is not. So now I begin my journey, reborn at age 38, currently unemployed and living with my folks in sunny Sarasota, Florida. Trying to figure out if my life was a lie, and if my career path as an Human Resources Consultant for the past 10 years with a Masters' degree was a big waste of time and money.

:?: I could really use some advice right now, because I don't really know where I stand. The only advice that I was given was to research help for the next closest diagnosis which would be Aspergers in my area since there really is so little on PDD-NOS.

So if anybody, is out there in the Tampa / Sarasota / Fort Myers area know where an adult middle-aged male with a new ASD diagnosis can get help and support, or just someone to be a friend with please contact me. :?:

:!: I also just posted a poem I wrote on my blog, the day before I got my diagnosis about what I feeling not know what was going to happen. I think many of you /us can relate. Please let me know what you think! :!:

Sniffy