Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello!
I'm a 39 year old lady that has been "quirky" her whole life. My sister was almost convinced something was wrong with me from a MH POV. For the past 10 odd years I've tried to figure out what's "wrong* with me. A GP once suggested OCD traits, and Ive been to therapy for many years but she always end up blaming everything to one traumatic event, even though my quirks were clear many years before that.
The more I think about it, the more I'm certain I fall somewhere along the spectrum. I've done the Aspie and the AQ 10 tests, both showing that my suspicions are sustained.
Here's the kicker... I have a fairly normal life and don't really struggle. Yes, I only have one friend, but like many of you only like the idea of friendships but not necessarily having one (or the effort). I have a client facing job and I think I do ok (it doesn't mean I like it though). I do have a loving husband, and two children (I'm way more attached to one) and my dog who I love. I have no extended family and I don't talk (nor have no real desire or need ) to my sister. In fact I've never felt ANY attachment towards her EVER like at all.
So would it be worth it? At this point is more about vindication and self understanding. Hopefully having therapy who can guide me and be able to discern between trauma and spectrum related traits.
What do you think?
NAS88818 said: At this point is more about vindication and self understanding. Hopefully having therapy who can guide me and be able to discern between trauma and spectrum related traits.
The diagnosis will either take years on the NHS or be quite expensive going private, so unless you need it to register yourself at work to get reasonable adjustments to your working environmnet then I would say don't bother.
I would say get a therapist and start working on the things that you want to. They cost around £50/hour but are worth in in my opinion. You can find loads here:
www.psychologytoday.com/.../england
If you have done the online tests and they are conclusive then you know you are an autist. Learn about it and find ways to make the difficult things in life easier. Process past traumas (especially the ones your mind keeps hidden) with an autism specialist therapist and it can make a lot of difference in your life.
I get what you say about a customer facing job and not speaking to siblings - I worked in customer facing support for 32 years in spite of scoring at the extreme scale of the spectrum. I don't speak to my siblings but when out paths cross we are quite conversive - I just don't have enough in common with them any more.
I'm married, no kids and have one long term friend that I speak to every few weeks. It is enough for both of us.
Is your username name based on Serial Experiments Lain?
Yes, all tests through high scores, so although not conclusive can't be ignored.
I'll look at those therapists thank you!
NAS88818 said:Is your username name based on Serial Experiments Lain?
No, it is my name. The first letter is a capital i by the way.
I have to admit this is the oddest question I've been asked for some time LoL.
Ooh.. Here’s me thinking it the short-form of King Iainidas..️.️.
Hahahaha see?? This has made me giggle I'm also clearly blind