diagnosis

[Guest guest]

1. I believe that if someone self-diagnoses and thinks they are

right, they probably are. I know I was...

2. That being said, I went for some developmental and psychological

testing as I also have self-diagnosed with other things in the past.

I wanted, therefore, to confirm my self-analyses.

It was quite nerve-wracking before the " verdict " was announced. I was

very afraid it would be something other than autism, whereupon I

would either have to 1). Disagree with the testing and be worse off

than when I started second-guessing myself or 2). accept the testing

and therefore (I made up this rule which I could NOT shake myself

from believing) not participate in online groups as I would then be

some sort of NT interloper. That was completely unnerving as I sat

there waiting for the results. I would then be entirely alone

forever, was what I was thinking. Anyway....

My primary diagnosis is.... drum roll....

Asperger's Disorder (the test says Disorder but I say Syndrome).

Other possible diagnoses from history:

Sensory Integration Dysfunction (I guessed that one right)

Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Severe (I already knew that)

Mathematics Disorder (yep, right on target)

PTSD (maybe, she says.. I say yes)

Definitely NOT BPD, ADHD or bipolar, which have been past choices of

mine. I was wrong about those, so this testing has put my mind at

peace about having several co-morbid disorders unrelated to autism.

I am very HAPPY with this diagnosis, and thank you to everyone who

has answered all my questions over the last 6 months and 5 days.

The person who did my diagnosis understands Asperger's-type thinking,

that's for sure! She recommended a book for me to read to help with

depression since she said it is clear I can't take meds and also have

less than spectacular results with traditional therapy. She

recommended Seligman's " Authentic Happiness. " I said " Oh cool.

I will read that. " She responded, " Now I imagine that in the next few

weeks you will read that and also everything else by him that you can

find, and all his theoretical stuff and quite a few websites on

him... but what I want you to do is pick one thing from the book and

actually DO it, don't theorize about it! " I said " Yep, I can't fool

you any. That's exactly what I would have done... " Not that I would

not try any of the techniques but that I would be more interested in

the theoretical underpinnings than the self-help aspect.

Also, she gave me very CONCRETE things to think about doing, like

EATING. And trying to find a financial planner since she thinks I

should not just let things go on as they are and maybe there is a way

to protect myself legally without getting a divorce (I was given to

understand that there was not but she says I should ASK someone

[argh!] in case I am wrong).

She also gave me quite specific recommendations for my son, which I

appreciate very much. One idea I have had for years was to

homeschool. This will NOT work as I don't have the capacity to

network with all those NT (or even autistic) moms! My son is SUPER-

social and has been since he was 5 months old. So, we can still do

all our cool and unusual things, but before and after school. I

pointed out to her that he already has superior social skills to mine

in certain areas, like in inviting others to play with him,

introducing himself (usually by going up to someone and saying " Hi,

when I'm big I am going to be a construction worker " ). The time I

sepnd with my son, I actually like to spend with just us two. It is

very special. I do NOT like the times we spend with a lot of other

people around, so this will probably be the best for both of us.

WHEW. Homeschooling was going to be HARD.

She also recommends the elimination-reintroduction diet as I have

multiple allergies.

Other recommendations but I am getting tired of writing this. I am

way overloaded from today. Since I had to travel some distance to do

the testing I got up at 3:30 am and hit the road and we did ALL the

testing in one day, including the results.

Rhonda, AS