?Diagnosis?

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I have been having regular bouts of depression symptoms for a few years now, including suicidal thoughts, but only recently got the courage up to ask for help. I also strongly suspect Asperger's or a similar syndrome. I'm in the Navy, and told my command of this, and was sent to see the medical officer today. It was odd, because he agreed with the Asperger's, but not only discounted the depression on the grounds that depressed people don't think rationally about their condition (this is from my comment that a lack of discipline from my parents help reinforce some bad habits, but that I'm not displacing the blame upon them; it's still my responsibility to deal with said problems), but discounted the suicidal thoughts as well, brushing them aside as perfectly normal, occasional thoughts anyone might have about death. Granted, no matter how down I am, I am always aware that my thoughts and feelings are unrealistic. I might feel like the most worthless person in the world, and even believe it, sort of, but I'm also fully aware the entire time that it's self perception only. Likewise, no matter how much I may fantasize about suicide, at no point to I ever have any true intention of carrying through, so I can understand why he wasn't worried, I suppose. But at least he referred me to see a psychiatrist.

Was in the army myself, and honestly, the medical officers there are, unfortunately, not generally good at their jobs.

A civilian doctor is just as qualified (if not more so) of dealing with your medical needs. My advice, seek out a civilian doctor.

What you have is called "good insight"--it means that you're aware of what's happening to your mind, and you know that the suicidal thoughts are unrealistic. It's a good sign, when it comes to depression or any other mental illness, because understanding your problems is a big step on the way to solving them.

Knowing you have a problem is not a sign that you don't have a problem, though. Most people have thought about suicide; but to do so repeatedly is a problem. Knowing about it, being able to step back and understand that your feelings and the thoughts that pop into your head aren't necessarily gospel truth, is probably an indication that you will be able to do the work necessary to recover.

Obvious impairment with lack of insight might indicate a serious problem; but there are less serious things out there that can get worse if they're not dealt with; so you're smart go go see a doctor now and nip it in the bud. You may already have established some bad habits, both in thought and action, and that will take some work to iron out.

Regarding Aspergers... ehh... if you can survive the military with AS, you can survive anything with AS! Not that having a bit more information and advice about the whole thing wouldn't help, of course. (If you are very disorganized, the external structure may be compensating somewhat, though.) Most of us couldn't join the military and be at all effective; but then, everybody's different and you probably have some strengths most don't have. It will be interesting to see how someone with AS traits deals with the military life.

I can't believe there are any doctors out there who don't respond to a request for help when dealing with suicide. This really ticks me off.

In addition to the AS, I'm also Bi-Polar and have dealt alot with suicidal thoughts. Every one of my doctors (and I have quite a few), even if it wasn't in their field (my arthritis doc, for example), wanted to know how I was coping with my suicidal thoughts and made sure I was still seeing my therapist and taking my medication.

I know it's really hard, but if you can't get any help from your base doctor, you must go see a private doctor. Please.