Discovering you might NOT be autistic

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I was diagnosed a long time ago for questionable reasons. When I found out about my diagnosis I was surprised. I knew that I was different and I knew that people treated me differently. I just didn't think or feel like I had autism or a disability.

When I was about twelve I started to hate myself because of this diagnosis. I often felt suicidal because of my diagnosis. About a month ago I started questioning whether this diagnosis was valid to begin with. I do have some traits, but they can be explained by other stuff. I also have a lot of problems that have nothing to do with autism. I am not really getting any help for them. Most people I talk to blame everything on my autism diagnosis and dismiss the problem.

One example of this is school. I was getting tested because I have a lot of problems getting assignments done at school. I wanted to get screened for overlooked problems. Most things on the test came back normally. I mentioned to the person that was testing me that I have low mental energy. She said that it's normal for people with Asperger's to have low mental energy because of their problems with change. I don't actually have problems with change. I actually enjoy change.

I really want to address my problem with low mental energy. It is causing so many problems. I have gone to the doctor. Unfortunately all the results came back normal. I do have borderline anemia, but they blamed it on my period.

I get really low on energy during my period and I have sensory processing disorder which just makes everything in this world so overwhelming. When I return home I literally need a nap.

Then there's my ADHD. I put so much strain on my mind that I just end up exhausted only after an hour or two.

I have a severe dislike of change and I don't get tired, if anything it's the opposite. I get agitated, panicky and seem to always want to be running for the hills. I've had anxiety that has made me feel tired. Sometimes it has to do with change.

The low energy makes me feel lazy, then I feel guilty.

next time you go to your doctor, get your vitamin D level checked. I practically dragging on the ground all summer, and my doc tested my levels, and I was 16. You're supposed to be between 30-100. I've read low vitamin D is practically epidemic in our modern society. But the point is, taking relatively cheap supplements has helped me tremendously. ....just something to think about....

Professionals have low mental energy. Sounds like they go into reassurance mode rather than problem solving mode. I think you'd be better off not talking diagnosis and instead asking like a broken record what you can do about the low energy so they stay focused on helping you.

You might have a nutritional/exercise deficiency. I too had low mental energy until I started lifting weights 3 times per week and avoiding any products containing refined sugar. I really don't like it when everything in my life gets attributed to my AS ever since I was diagnosed - for example, I was furious for being lied too, used, and financially robbed BUT because I have AS, I have to blame myself for being gullible. So, the NT gets sympathy while I get victimized and blamed for the cruel act perpetrated against me. So, if I get my head cracked open for waiting for a bus 2 a.m. I'm told "that's what you get for not taking your car to work because you don't use your head because of the A.S." As long as I am gullible aspie, I deserve what happens to me. Yeah, right?! !!

I have low mental energy for social chit chat and social games, I just don't have the patience for them as they all seem illogical and irrational to me. Especially this collecting of social 'cool' points for certain activities and social hierarchy outside of places like the work place. How silly...why is one activity more socially acceptable than another? Why is nightclubbing seen as cool when playing the piano is seen as being sad for example? I mean it is ridiculous is it not? How silly when both are simply activities that some will enjoy and some wont and all shades of grey in between. There is nothing cool or uncool about either.

What is socially cool anyway? Another silly notion.

And hierarchy, why should one human life be more important than another because some people have more money or are more socially popular because they bop up and down to music whilst getting pissed instead of creating beautiful classics on a magnificent and wonderful instrument? Or similar. And why is swearing so cool? and why is it better to be called shazza than margaret (neither are my names, I am a Cheryl).

Bloody daft social rules.

I just go by whether I enjoy talking to someone or I like someone's company and whether or not I feel safe around them and I can trust them. That is all I need to know really..their social status has bugger all to do with it when it comes to make friends where I am concerned.

Ergo I have low mental energy for such things due to all the annoying game playing and constant confusion.

I do, however, have great mental energy for the things I love and all things academic, arty, musical and so on.

At the moment I am most excited to be learning to play piano. I am listening to various pianists to get a feel for how they play the music, reading books and waiting patiently (ok not so patiently) for my digital piano to arrive. I have much mental energy for this. On the other if I think of making general social chit chat or doing boring house work I suddenly feel the need to go to sleep. Literally...it makes me feel drowsy.

I have low mental energy for everything, including stuff I enjoy.

Your blood tests come back borderline anemia and you have anemia symptoms. Hello!? Was is low iron or your hemoglobin that showed borderline anemia? What about your b12?
It's absolutely f*****g ridiculous that whoever found out that you are borderline anemic didn't tell you to take something or do anything about it! Take some friggin' iron, that doctor your seeing should have their head checked...found out the problem and then didn't resolve it. What an idiot. Just because you have your period it's still not acceptable for a doctor to not do anything about your almost-anemia.
(Can't you tell? I just love physicians...)
My mom has often been borderline anemic (never, ever actually anemic on blood work) and she only feels better if she gets enough iron (she eats liver at least once a week because the pills upset her stomach).
Last time my ferritin was low, I was told it was, so I went out on my own and bought some iron and the next time my doctor saw me he asked 'why are you taking iron pills?'...and this when he was the guy who diagnosed the celiac disease just a couple months ago, so of course my intestines weren't healed properly yet to absorb a proper amount of most nutrients even on a super healthy diet. Real smart guy.

Vitamins help me quite a bit. I can tell when I'm low iron too because the iron pills will taste sweet. B12 helps a lot too. But I also had undiagnosed celiac disease for many years too, no thanks to doctors again, so of course I was low in nutrition. They didn't even eventually find it, I had to ask to be tested for it.

I recommend to anyone who has any mental issues to get tested for celiac disease, as mental health problems are common among celiacs who eat gluten. Especially since you already have a nutritional deficiency, you should look into it. There are more undiagnosed celiacs than diagnosed celiacs. You certainly don't need to have severe (or any) gastrointestinal distress and you certainly don't have to notice in yourself a reaction to eating wheat to have it.

Surely one would notice if their senses are making them tired and then describe it as such?