Newly diagnosed at 28. Saying hello and asking for advice.

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Hello, lurker here too.

I'm 27 and I am not yet diagnosed, I'm currently deciding with my psychotherapist whether to or not (2 year NHS waiting list...), but we've come to the conclusion it's looking probable. I would say just embrace it. I have had long-term complications; depression, anxiety, ocd etc, from being so aware i'm different but not being able to explain why. But learning that there was a reason why my life has been so screwed up has alleviated some of that, that I'm not unique in my situation. I feel now i can move forward more sure in who i am.

I apologise for sounding patronising. But I genuinely don't understand how a single so-called spectrum can encompass such a huge variety of physical symptoms and emotional responses as well as such a wide range of behavioural and social issues. The fact that professionals can choose between different sets of criteria such as ICD and DSM does not fill me with confidence.

You appear to have chosen to trust the most recent diagnosis which you have been given, and I hope you will be able to find a way forward. The fact that you have been offered a diagnosis which is in accordance with your own research is commonly reported on this site, and I hope it doesn't sound patronising if I ask you what your reaction would have been if the diagnosis had been negative.

I stick to my opinion that Autism, in all its forms, is more a matter of opinion than a matter of proven fact.

About the psychiatrist, I meant to suggest that you see someone else rather than your regular psychiatrist. Part of accepting your diagnosis would be accepting his or her own misdiagnosis of you and failed treatment which could attack their own sense of competence and self-worth. Many people will choose to believe what is better for them if they can get away with it. Medication for autism does exist, but are not very widely used and it's kind of arguable whether they treat autism, depending on how you define autism and how people feel like labeling underlying disorders leading to symptoms of autism. You might be medicated for symptoms of anxiety or adhd. I know people on meds for that who feel like that is helpful to them.

To address your point, what are you seeking for? Is it more information about autism and how to deal with the symptoms? The forums are a great place to look for other issues that people with autism commonly struggle with and many posters have given their own techniques for coping or suggestions of things that other people do that work. Patronizing or attacking language like MrGrumpy used is also more common to hear from people with autism than from neurotypicals, unless those neurotypicals have power over you, it's socially acceptable, and they are mostly immune to retaliation. Misdiagnosis of autism is also common, although more from the older group of folks. Some people look for social connections, or advice, or emotional support.

http://www.gaba-supplement.com/gaba-and-autism/

Have a look at this. There is a considerable body of research - of which your psychiatrist appears to be completely ignorant- that many ASD brains are congenitally deficient in the neurotransmitter GABA, which can be rectified with GABA increasing medications such as GABA, clonazepam, the amino acids Taurine and Glutamine, and some foods (almonds, brown rice).

Psychiatry has completely mistreated you in the past. Why trust them then to treat you in the future? Leopard and spots: they don't change much...

Welcome to Wrong Planet. You've come home now!

The classification appeared to be more precise before the latest DSM revision, but that's why it's called a spectrum - it encompasses a vast range of symptoms under one general name.


The ICD is the international standard and the one most professionals outside the United States should be using, in the U.K. both are used as there is little difference, but there is still some.


Thank you.


It's a mixture of comments from other people, teachers etc combined with my own personal experiences. I decided to choose the person I did to make sure the diagnosis was accurate, whichever way it went. If he had said 'no' then I would have accepted that. However, if my suspicions were not high enough in the first place then I wouldn't have pursued the matter to the diagnosis stage.


Firstly, with that opinion I'm not entirely sure why you're on here. Secondly, couldn't the same argument be made about nearly all psychological disorders? Although Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder with plenty of supporting peer-reviewed evidence.


I am seeking for how to alter my perception, I suppose. It's been a long time with various psychiatrists telling me what the issues are and the results of that have not been helpful. After exhausting the range of anti-depressants they moved me onto anti-psychotics - the end result of that was a bilateral mastectomy at the age of 17.

I've searched the forum and am still reading through various threads, so far I've found numerous posts which may be of use. I'm still trying to understand the terminology and meaning of NT, but so far I've managed to notice people in my past and present who fit that general description by behaviour.


The one thing my psychiatrist did request is that I increase my diazepam dosage from 5mg per day to up to 15mg per day. Thank you for providing the link, from a quick glance it looks like I may find it useful.


This is true, but I have little choice. The problem is that I've managed as well as possible to 'integrate' in order to manage, although that has taken alot of energy. This may be partly the reason psychiatrists found it hard to diagnose me correctly for years - I either said very little or gave short answers to specific questions. When asked 'how I felt' I never knew what to say so said nothing. Only recently after my grandmother passing away have I had the courage to be... me.

I'm on here because, like you, my research indicates that I am on this putative spectrum called Autism.

But Autism is a bit like Climate Change. Not everybody accepts that it exists, and an even smaller number is totally convinced that its causes can be clearly identified.

Because I frequently challenge conventional wisdom, I probably come over as being some kind of redneck with totally fixed opinions, but actually the opposite is true. Come to think of it, a tendency to challenge conventional wisdom might be worth considering as a an addition to the various lists of ASD symptoms.

Imagine years of these professionals, who are making a living off of your diagnosis, are getting it WRONG. They are "trying" this and having you come back and asking "how do you feel now?" They never find the key but you have to keep coming back... because they say they can help you?


Valium. Now here is a psychiatric drug that has been around since people (mostly women) were suffering from "hysteria." 1960. Fifty-five years "doctors" have been prescribing this drug. Have you read the Wikipedia page about Diazepam? My little point is that you have been "treated" by psychiatrists for soo long, and suffered. They have their books, their educations, and access to drugs for the people who present with problems. How could they give you all of these intense drugs, and still end up tweaking your Valium?

It sounds like you've had a difficult time. For altering perception, behavioral ecology related to groups and communication, Temple Grandin's books such as Animals in Translation, videos, and psychology and neuroscience and perception-related classes and journal articles helped me change my perspective.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is also very helpful.

A few articles:
http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/encyclopedia/en/article/285/

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aurt/2012/870391/

http://www.bowdiges.org/documents/files ... in_ASD.pdf

Piers, I'm sorry that you were misdiagnosed and taking medications for a long time. But at least you know your situation now. I've been eating my heart out for 1-1,5 years trying to understand my problems, always thinking "why am I like that? why am I like this?" but after doing some research on google, I'm thinking that perhaps I have a disorder. Now, I'm not saying that I want to be diagnosed with something, I'll be happy if the cause of my problems is just a stressful period-of course I'm not gonna deny it if symptoms, signs shows that I have a disorder-. I'm just saying that after knowing the issue, it's much easier to find solution. At least you'll know where to search the answer. Please try not to feel bad about not being aware of your condition for 17 years. Don't dwell on the past. I hope you won't use any medications.

When I was a kid, there was no Aspergers. I was just seen as wierd/different. My sister used to think I was an alien.

I was diagnosed as an adult - twice. The first time I was diagnosed, I didn't even know what Aspergers was. I was there for depression and the psychiatrist picked it up in me. When I found out it was a form of Autism, I got angry and refused to believe it.

Then, 7 years later, after I'd long forgot about the first diagnosis, I go see a different, unrelated psychiatrist (also for depression) and I got diagnosed again. That's when it became kind of difficult to deny it any longer.

Now I know that a lot of the cool stuff about me is due to my Aspergers and that I fully understand what it is, I'm happy to be an Aspie. AS has since become one of my Special Interests.

Welcome to Wrong Planet fellow Aspie