Where do I go?

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Can someone point me in the right direction for getting started as far as finding out whether I may be an aspie or have some other disorder? When my oldest sister died and I had a panic attack, they asked me to get a psychiatric evaluation, but my insurance dropped the ball and sent me to some separate service through my company that sent me to a counselor who wasn't even a psychologist. She seemed more interested in counseling me about personal issues which I felt was pointless. They don't seem to cover mental health at all which blows my mind because it's really good insurance (or so I thought).

So I'm pretty much figuring this will be out of pocket and I'm ready to deal with that, but I'm not sure I'm ready to deal with an ongoing out of pocket expense like ongoing therapy. Right now I just want to know what, if anything, is going on with me so I can start working out how to deal with it. Can anyone give me an idea of what to expect?

I have a history of mental illness in several immediate family members and have always known I have "issues" but by comparison to my family, they seemed pretty light. I thought I'd dodged a bullet in a way. But now I'm tired of acting like the elephant is not in the room and I want to deal with it before my life falls apart.

Okay seems no one is going to answer so i will.

First my evil opinion is an adult is not going to get alot out of getting a ASD DX or any
possible treatments available.

You mention in another thread your interested in writing(I think it was you) and that
you had problems getting work done. I think you should focus on getting some focus.
Try to get treatment for your ADD.

1) Call around ask if a doctor treats adult ADD.
2) Get prices.
3) Get Meds
4) Write
5) Get rich!! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !

Machine1 is right in his opinion that is difficult to get a DX for adult AS...because alot of the information is based on your childhood and as adults we change somethings to learn to cope with the issues.
(my way of coping was drinking and cutting...so not everyone finds "productive" ways but some do.)

The problem is one of location,if you live near a big city you are more likely to find some one who specializes in adult AS...they are out there.Another issue appears to be that how they go about DX is very different.Some people say they have gone in for a 2 hour session or two and been given the DX.....my current experience(sucks for me)I have been to 3 half hour sessions and dont know how many more I have because I am to shy to ask....each time I have to find transportation and pay $20. co-pay....so I dont know what they are charging my insurence co., but others have said it can be about $2000.Thats a pretty big investment.As far as on going "treatment"...Knowing isnt a cure...there is no "cure"....but they can give some advice about support systems,books about how to learn socialization,relationships and employment(thats my main concern,why I am going).

Another thing about AS thats important to remember(especially with a family history of mental health issues...which I also have)AS has alot of "co-morbids"...makes me morbid just think about it...alot of people also have ADD/ADHD,Depression,anxiety,social phobias...some of these can be treated with medication,change of diet or life style(can help some)...

I do think counseling with a "counselor who has no experience of AS" can not only be a waste of time but destructive,because the course of treatment is for people whose brains are wired differently and whose symptoms are triggered by different factors(so they are basing advice on a flawed premis...never good idea,from a scientific perspective)the treatment I need for my social phobias created from constant negative reactions from people due to my inability to read nonverbals or sensery overload....is not going to be the same as some one who avoids people because their parents locked the in a closet or told them they were "s**t" everday...its not going to work for me,but that doesnt stop them from trying to make me fit that mold,as its the only one the counselers were taught.

So...locate your local AS/autism support group(find online)and ask their advice on local DRs,talk to you parents/family about what you were like growing up and write this down along with the reasons you think thise DX fits for you,contact the DR(it takes a long time to get in,my experience)so,make appt and then decide later if you want to follow through...you can always call and cancel.I used one of the on line tests as a back ground for what I wrote up for my DR and he said it was helpful.ie.going question by question of any memories of how this fit or not for you(everyone on the spectrum is different....some have stronger sensory issues,etc,then others)

I really dont understand how your insurence can not pay for AS testing...I thought it was a Nuerological issue and not a "mental illness/psyc issue"?Maybe your local AS group can give some advice about this....good luck...they sure dont make it easy to try and get help,do they.Blame it on Goerge Bush(I blame everythigng on him,even my cats hairballs...and it does make me feel a little better)

That does seem to be my most immediate problem. I am literally useless at work right now. I am concerned about relationship issues, both potential romantic ones and what is either a real thing or paranoid thing that I'm losing my friends when we get close, but that's more complicated I believe than treating ADD.

Thanx.

That's so funny you suggest this. I just called my mom from work today and asked her about some of my early childhood. Apparently my brother showed some more obvious symptoms than I did at an early age. I do recall things my father said though. For instance, he said I was EXTREMELY sensitive as a child. If he was shouting, I would wince like he'd hit me. My dad beat my brother badly many times but never laid a hand on me. Maybe my "sensitivity" saved me from that. Meanwhile, when I asked my mom if I was sensitive to certain types of clothing (as I am now) she said my brother was moreso. He would pull at his clothes and say they didn't "feel right" and drive her nuts. She did confirm that I would obsess badly.



I did notice today on my insurance website that they do have neuro specialists. At the time I was asked to get an evaluation, they didn't say to see a neurologist. I believe they suggested a psychiatrist so that's what I looked for and called about. They had no inkling I could have Aspie issues. They were concerned about my mental health in general because I was suffering from a panic attack and a short-term emotional breakdown.

Thanx for your help guys! I'm beginning to feel more optimistic about this.