Still trying to get diagnosed

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JBO
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24 Jul 2013, 8:28 pm

Norah wrote:

I would like to know for sure, but I don't know whether I should keep trying.

Having a diagnosis doesn't change anything... I'm sure there are people who are diagnosed who don't have it, and people who got other diagnoses but who actually do have an ASD.

Everybody is different. Even if you did get diagnosed with AS, it's called the "autism spectrum" for a reason. Other people might be able to help guide you, but I think in the end we all need to figure ourselves out on our own.

Norah
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24 Jul 2013, 8:44 pm

redrobin62 wrote:

@Norah - how rare is this? You've been on WP for nearly 10 years and only have 14 posts?

I may have posted a few posts under NorahW--i forgot which email address I'd used. I"m not trying to deliberately mislead anyone. I also stayed away for a few years because I felt I was obsessing too much about Asperger's.

Norah
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24 Jul 2013, 8:54 pm

neilson_wheels wrote:

As there is no actual treatment for aspergers it would be much more efficient for you to work on the parts of your life that you can change, and accept that none of us are perfect. Often life does not make sense, try to make the best of what you have got.

Best wishes, NW.

Thanks!

There are various things--I think most people who work with me suspect I have an ASD. One of my co-workers has a son who is on the spectrum, and she knows I have an anxiety disorder and can see I'm uncomfortable socially--I'm sure she's thinking that her son might turn out like me, or looking at me as an example of an autistic person in the workplace. I hope her son does a lot better than me!

Chloe33
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24 Jul 2013, 9:09 pm

Norah wrote:

I've tried several times to get diagnosed with Asperger's (I guess it would be called Autism now) over the past 12 years, though I haven't been evaluated formally since early 2006. Sometimes I think that I'm an Aspie, other times not. I think that the reason I haven't been diagnosed may be because I'm a woman, or because I'm older and have learned to act somewhat normal. But it could also be my own fault--that I was so afraid of a diagnosis and communicated my fear to the doctor, and they gave me an alternate diagnosis (social anxiety, avoidant personality disorder) because they thought I would be unable to handle an AS diagnosis.

In going back and reading between the lines of the writeups they gave me, I think they didn't want to upset me with an AS diagnosis because of my fears.

Its doubtful several attempts at getting an Aspergers (ASD) disorder with doctors aware of your knowledge of Aspergers that they would think you couldn't handle the diagnosis.
You appear to be able to handle a diagnosis of Aspergers well. Doctor would not hold back a diagnosis due to someone not "handling it" that is unheard of.

Did you try going to someone who specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorders? Just in case, sometimes it is slanted diagnostically towards males.

Under the DSM-5 those who don't fit all criteria of Aspergers go into Social Communication disorder. If they do fit criteria, they'd fall into the spectrum.

tall-p
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24 Jul 2013, 9:33 pm

Norah wrote:

I've tried several times to get diagnosed with Asperger's <snip>, though I haven't been evaluated formally since early 2006. <snip> I think that the reason I haven't been diagnosed may be because I'm a woman, or because I'm older and have learned to act somewhat normal. But it could also be my own fault--that I was so afraid of a diagnosis and communicated my fear to the doctor, and they gave me an alternate diagnosis (social anxiety, avoidant personality disorder) because they thought I would be unable to handle an AS diagnosis. I've since been diagnosed with ADHD and PTSD by a psychiatrist who didn't have a lot of experience with people with AS who didn't present with the most obvious symptoms.

<snip>I think they didn't want to upset me with an AS diagnosis because of my fears. For instance, one doctor said that the treatment for my social anxiety would probably be similar to that for someone with Asperger's. Another said that some of my symptoms and results of one test pointed to Asperger's, but then when he sent me the diagnosis he said that he couldn't diagnose me with AS because of various factors and said I had social anxiety disorder instead.

I would like to know for sure, but I don't know whether I should keep trying.

It never ceases to amaze me that so many posters here WANT to have Asperger's... Anyway, staying in my role as grumpy old man, let me assure you that they weren't being nice to you, by not giving you an Aspie dx... they didn't give you that dx because they can't prescribe you any medicines to "manage" your condition if you just have Asperger's. But if they dx you with anxiety disorder, and ADHD... AND PTSD, then there are lots of medicines for those conditions.

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Rocket123
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24 Jul 2013, 10:29 pm

tall-p wrote:

Well, that certainly is one benefit of having Aspergers (that is, it cannot be treated with meds).

Feralucce
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24 Jul 2013, 10:42 pm

tall-p wrote:

The thing is... these people, often, live their entire lives believing something is wrong with them... After years of that... anything... ANY diagnosis would be a relief.

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HopefulFlower
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25 Jul 2013, 3:39 am

Feralucce wrote:

tall-p wrote:

The thing is... these people, often, live their entire lives believing something is wrong with them... After years of that... anything... ANY diagnosis would be a relief.

THIS

I got diagnosed bipolar but it might be a different disorder but anyways I was in so much pain I needed a diagnosis. Like you said ANY would be a relief. Just to know the problem. Just to know what's wrong.

Also to the original post here-now I may be misunderstanding but I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist when I was 13-against my will by the way. He gave me meds for my meltdowns but meds or not he still diagnosed me. He would have diagnosed me had I wanted the meds or not (Which I didn't but it's a long story). Every professional I've seen (Except for one woman who's completely out of it-just trust me she.... she needs help) takes it as valid as well as my school. Just saying.

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neilson_wheels
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25 Jul 2013, 4:47 am

Norah wrote:

Thanks!

You are welcome.

Again this may just be your anxiety talking to you. I really do feel that a bit more research and working on the things that you can change will be most beneficial. From your posts I feel that you are relatively 'high functioning' and have learned coping strategies, if you can work to improve these it will benefit you more than pursuing an ASD diagnosis.

If you identify the traits that you believe are indicative of aspergers, then you can post and search on this site and other places to learn ways to reduce the effects. This will improve your quality of life more than continuing to create stress for yourself by repeating this cycle again.

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