Does anybody have advice?

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So I went to the psychologist today for anxiety and depression, and I think he actually made me feel worse. I was really hoping to find somebody who understood me. The first problem I had with him was that throughout the conversation he would interrupt me. Then he told me to stop reading " The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome" because chances are that I just think I have it from reading the book. He then said, "I(referring to himself) only have read two pages about Asperger's Syndrome, you shouldn't read that whole book." My interest in Asperger's Syndrome is apparently an obsession. After that, without even asking me why I think I have it -- he proceeded to ask about my anxiety and depression. I explained how my anxiety and depression are caused by insomnia and my sensory issues(movement, noise.) The insomnia is caused by too many thoughts, and I can't sleep because of them. That combined with some days I have to stay up late working on things that make me miserable opposed to my special interests. At school, especially when I'm tired, I have issues with the massive amount of conversation, noise, and movement. He ignored this. He then asked about my obsession with particle physics. He ended up talking to me about the specifics of Quantum Mechanics that he knew about, and this put me entirely off. I began to lose interest in the topic of my depression and anxiety and become interested in thinking about physics. So this mental overload caused me to start to get irritated, although of course I didn't show it. Then he asked for my mother to come in, whom I'd say is very neurotypical. She agrees with me that I show a significant portion of the symptoms, and tried to argue for me. For some reason, they came to the consensus that forcing me into social situations and limiting my time with my special interest was a good idea. He even told me to make eye-contact and shake his hand, despite how uncomfortable I was. They told me that I should go to friends and ask them to hang out, so that I could "relax." I tried to explain that my special interests do relax me, but they wouldn't listen. I even said that I don't understand what they want me to do. So now they're treating my social ineptitude as if I am a neurotypical who has just been isolated from society, or something like that. I really don't know what to do now. I was really counting on going to the psychologist and finding somebody who actually knew what runs through my mind and could help me in a way I could understand. Unfortunately, that didn't happen and it seems as if I want to live less and less everyday now, this appointment just made it significantly worse. I assume that my only other option is going to a specialist, but I'm not sure where to find one and whether or not I can afford it. The only thing I want is for somebody to tell me the problems I have, and help me fix them - either through productive instruction or advice. However, it seems almost as if I will get neither from this center.

By the way, according to the psychologist, since I am a straight-A student, everything must be alright.

And I have a question: "not everything in life is meant to be enjoyable." said the psychologist after I told him that my special interests calm me. So he expects me to fix my problems with anxiety and depression by pursuing the sources of the problems, yet ignore the aspects of myself in which I find clarity, enjoyment, and calmness? How is that suppose to alleviate my anxiety and depression?

Anybody else have a similar experience and have since resolved it? Do any of you have advice?

I think that you should flee the flying fark away from this headshrinker. Regardless of whether or not you have ASD, this headshrinker doesn't seem like a good one. He seems to inventing his own faulty interpretations of your problems instead of hearing from you what your problems are.

Find a new psychiatrist for a second opinion and make sure he specializes in autism or go find an autism specialist.

I'm sorry, what?

Get a new psychologist.

Edited because a harp seal shouldn't be cussing

Yes definitely seek out another psychologist.

Last edited by purchase on 09 Dec 2011, 12:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.

My advice is don't ever go back to see this guy again, under any circumstances. If your mother wants you to go back, tell her how you feel about it and refuse. If you feel worse after seeing him that is a really bad sign. He is not listening to you or treating you with respect. Run and don't ever go back.

I can't emphasize enough this is a really bad sign. Was this the first time you saw him? He shouldn't have even let you walk out of there without knowing how you felt about the visit.



That's total BS. Doing well in school and having good grades does not mean everything is okay.



Again this is BS. Do what you enjoy.



So he is definitely NOT qualified to diagnose you, or rule out the diagnosis of Asperger's, because he doesn't know enough about it.

Find someone else to talk to or just take a break from the headshrinkers for awhile. They do not have the answers to everything.

Never go back to his office!

I myself have been to a psychologist once for my depression. I felt worse too.
It's my generalist doctor who prescribe antidepressant and others meds for my anxiety. He keep telling me that I should find a psychologist but I couldn't. I regret now.

You should find another psychologist as soon as you can.

Forget all about this guy, who don't know anything about AS and brag about it!

Good luck!

He sounds like a complete and utter jackass.

Get a second opinion immediately. I know from personal experience that a bad mental health professional is worse than none at all.

Yes this was my first time going there. Apparently the psychiatrist is only there to prescribe me medication. The counselor is the person who is suppose to talk to me consistently, and if medicine needs to be prescribed it is only then I see the doctor again. I'm unsure how this will work. None of them seem to know anything about autism or Asperger's Syndrome, and as soon as I even mention it they either redirect me or tell me to stop. The only person who seemed interested(asked for my online test results) was the intern of the psychiatrist. He even asked me questions about the papers and my research, but the psychiatrist interrupted him.