Help.. Going to the doctor tomorrow..

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I have a doctors appointment tomorrow, and I kind of need some help.

In my past I have been diagnosed with bipolar, depression and have been medicated without results and only making the situation and me feeling worse.. so I stopped seeing my therapist. About two years later I came across an asperger article, and that's when it hit me as being "it". It described everything I've felt my entire life in just one word: Nothing..

As I went down the list of symptoms everything described me perfectly. I rented a book by a Swedish guy that has specialized in autism ans AS and it was like that book was written about me. It made me realize that things I thought were a normal thing to think or do, actually wasn't..

So then I called the hospital, but all I got to talk to was a nurse saying that there might be a chance I had it if that's how I felt. But I never got to see a doctor or got any more information from her about what I should do..

And now 3 years has passed since then, and last week I finally did it. I called to get an appointment with a doctor. But, what do I say? what do I tell him? and what questions might he be asking?

I have sort of been keeping this whole asperger-thing to my self. Not even my closest family knows. I guess we're just that perfect family and never talk about things. Or maybe that's just me, I'm not sure yet. So how do I tell them when and if I need to see therapists and maybe do several full checks or scans? They'll wonder what the hell I'm up to..

I feel so frustrated and worried right now..

Is the doctor an Asperger's specialist? If not, chances are you know more about AS than him/her.
Anyway, explain freely how you feel and what you think about being an aspie. And if you are not satisfied, just look for another.
Many of us have lived a similar history of medical misunderstanding.
(A perfect family should talk openly and help one another)

If they're skeptical of you having AS and don't want to help you further, ask if they could provide you with an AS test so that you could at least get an indication whether you have it or not. And with the results from that, you can decide what your next step will be.

I mean, they can't just refuse to let you do a simple MC test...right?

At least, once I pluck up the courage to make an appointment with my dr. that's what I'm planning on doing.

Good luck tomorrow! And let us know how it went:)

d0ds0t: Si til doktormannen at du vil ha en utredning på Aspergers og be ham avtale time hos psykolog for deg.

Sorry for saying it in norwegian, but it was somehow easier.

Anyway, that's what I did. And now I visit them once each week.

Well done on making the call. First ask him how much experience he has diagnosing AS in adults.

Before you go, fill out the AQ (Autism Spectrum Quotient) to show him (it's online), plus other questionnaires such as the EQ (Empathy Quotient).

List examples of your traits under each of the AS criteria (DSM-IV, for example) that you display. Also ask your parents or someone who knew you from childhood to confirm you displayed such traits from an early age (and think of any extra ones), and ask about your speech and language history (first sentences etc.).

Next list associated traits such as sensory sensitivity or hyposensitivity, anxiety, and motor clumsiness.

If he is quite experienced, this will be the general gist of what he will ask at your appointment. If he tries to dismiss the possibility you have AS going by one criterion alone or inaccurate stereotypes, it's a sign he lacks experience dealing with ASD. If he is a specialist, you have a high chance of obtaining an accurate diagnosis.

If you do not wish to tell your family, but require therapy etc., perhaps tell them it is for social and communication difficulties or something like anxiety.

hey everyone, and thanks for answering my post..

I just feel more and more nervous as the hours go by. I hate hospitals, and now I feel like my whole body is shaking and sweating.. I've been avoiding everybody for the last three days. Only been in my room sleeping and having head aces..

But, you mentioned filling out AQ an EQ tests, do you have any links to a good one, I only find amateur random tests when I search for it on google..

My appointment is at 09 in the morning, and now it's 11 in the evening, so only 10 more hours to wait, I don't know if I'll say anything to my mom tomorrow. I really want to ask her about my childhood. But I just don't know how to. She is always kind of sceptical to the things I do and seem to put my mind into, and she has always being pushing me into social happenings an all different kind of jobs. And I have clearly told her I hate both it and her quite a few times. We are pretty distant and don't know how she will react. No way I'm telling my dad. He will be furious and take it as if I was blaming him for giving me a brain damage.. yet, that is in fact the truth as I think about it..

I like this one:
http://www.rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php

together with this one

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html

Not sure what others will suggest though.

And don't worry about anything, you're paying them to help you! So they might as well;)
Just tell them what's on your mind.
(I just phoned my sister about making an appointment myself and that's what she said lol, thought you could use the advice as well;))

Good luck, d0ds0t!

The AQ link is given above by 1234 (the 2nd link).

Here's a version of the EQ: http://homepage.mac.com/lpetrich/Asperger/EmpathyQuotient.html


EDIT: Oops, nearly forgot to link you to what the scores mean: http://homepage.mac.com/lpetrich/Asperger/Index.html
(This link will also lead you to the other official Asperger's tests if you wish to complete them.)

My result was 4 out of 40.. But I don't know what that means when I look at the last link..

I had my friend take the same test, and his result was 14 out of 80..