I think I have aspergers - what if the doctor says I don't?

I've just self-diagnosed (score of 42 on the AS test). I'm a 55 year old female. Preferred sitting in a corner reading as a child to interacting with others. Underachieved at school and was bullied. Thought at one point that I was the only human being and all the other kids were robots. Since leaving school have achieved some vocational & professional qualifications, where a course lasted no longer than 1 year.  I get exhausted by social situations, or if I have too many demands at work. I pursue special interests to the point of obsession and can talk about them endlessly  often forgetting to ask others about themselves or their ideas. I avoid conflict, tend to try to please others and feel hurt by real or imagined criticism. I've always been told that I look younger than I am and have also been told that I sound young on the phone. Due to not coping well recently, I saw a GP at my surgery who specialises in mental health, who has referred me for counselling. I asked him about assessment for aspergers and he said that as it takes some time to see a specialist, he will get a more detailed questionnaire than the standard AS test for me to complete and then go through the results with me.  My concern is - what if he says I don't have AS? 

Parents
  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Hi Pixiefox, welcome to the forum,

    Your post is very classic Aspergers/autism and it sounds as though the doctor is not giving you the brush off so I think you are likely to get the assistance that the doctor is able to give you - the doctor should be able to prescribe tailored CBT therapy to help you and, in the fullness of time, you may well get the definitive diagnosis that can lead to other assistance.

    You do have the right to a second opinion and it is a common problem and fear that people have so it has been discussed lots of times bbefore - have a look at the discussions from this search http://community.autism.org.uk/search/node/%22second%20opinion%22

    There is a Catch 22 with the condition - how does someone who is bad at communicating manage to persuade a doctor that they have a problem? But it sounds as though you have done the difficult part, it is often the first consultation that is the first stumbling block in the process.

    There is also increasing recognition that autism is a much more common root cause of issues and it sounds as though your GP is up to speed on the possibility and its implications.

    It is increasingly common to be diagnosed at this age - I was diagnosed at 56 so welcome to the club! 

Reply
  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Hi Pixiefox, welcome to the forum,

    Your post is very classic Aspergers/autism and it sounds as though the doctor is not giving you the brush off so I think you are likely to get the assistance that the doctor is able to give you - the doctor should be able to prescribe tailored CBT therapy to help you and, in the fullness of time, you may well get the definitive diagnosis that can lead to other assistance.

    You do have the right to a second opinion and it is a common problem and fear that people have so it has been discussed lots of times bbefore - have a look at the discussions from this search http://community.autism.org.uk/search/node/%22second%20opinion%22

    There is a Catch 22 with the condition - how does someone who is bad at communicating manage to persuade a doctor that they have a problem? But it sounds as though you have done the difficult part, it is often the first consultation that is the first stumbling block in the process.

    There is also increasing recognition that autism is a much more common root cause of issues and it sounds as though your GP is up to speed on the possibility and its implications.

    It is increasingly common to be diagnosed at this age - I was diagnosed at 56 so welcome to the club! 

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