Help!Trying to be diagnosed.

Kalo Jaro - I love your attitude !  Remember this positive speech when you have a bad day and it will lift you back up again - In fact if I were you I would print it out and keep it somewhere.

Actually - I've printed it ou to help my son who is the same age as you.

Hiya,

v23, trust me I know where you're coing from on the 'its my fault I'm this weird' situation. I was like that practically everyday of my life until I was diagnosed last year with Aspergers Syndrome. Don't get me wrong, I went through another brief bout of depression when I realised exactley what it mean.

I may -never- get on well with other people.

I may -never- grow out of my anxieties.

I may -never- be able to live without relying on someone for help/support.

I -will never- be able to do the things the other kids do and feel the same way.

But, thats ok. Because since I had this epiphany, I began thinking more about what makes me happy, and actually started enjoying the majority of each day, or at least be able to look back and think... 'yeah, today was good'.

And guess what?

I -have- gotten on better with other people, they can see I'm trying, and the people who've turned into good friends try just as hard to meet me halfway.

I -have- felt less anxious, and even when my anxieties kick in, I don't spend months worrying over them, if anything, they're gone by the time I get home. I feel happier.

And though I'll never be able to be 'normal'...I've found so much pleasure in the simpler things, and my friends and family are more than happy to indulge my often 'childish' activities (Laserquest = Awesome) because it turns out, they like it too.

You shouldn't have to be strong to do things other people do mate, because frankly, they're not you. To them, what people like you and I struggle with, they find easy, hence the weird looks in public if you admit it. But the things they find impossible, you might find easy. We're all brilliant in our own unique ways. Aspies...just need a bit more maintainance to keep being awesome.

Yeah, they have always been hard. 

I will definitely mention that, I had to see the psychologist since I was 7-17 , but I highly doubt I'll be able to go where I used to go because it was shut down last year. 

PLus I had to go to my doctor last year to get medication to help my cope with college because my tuitors were concerned.

I just hope I will be referred because it would make such a difference to me, I've always blamed myself for not being strong enough and I blame myself for being the way I am.

So sorry to hear things have been hard for you.  It sounds like a diagnosis may explain quite a lot to you and others. And who is to say what's weird - we are all different.

The more you can convey to the GP the more they can help. They way be able to help with anxiety and depression whilst you are waiting  for a referral. They prescribed some tablets for my son which made him feel a lot better, but if they don't know you feel bad they can't help.

If you have seen a psychologist before mention this too. I don't supose it will be the same one you see, but if there were difficulties in the past they will hopefully refer you straight away. Take your lists , then if you are finding it hard you can just hand them over and hopefully the doctor will understand. 

My mum and I don't get on because i'm her 'odd' child - I had to see a psychologist for years and I had to have help learning hand and eye coordination. 

I've started a list already because I know I'll freeze when I go. Basically all you have described is me, and it doesn't help I was bullied since primary school for being weird.

When I used to help in a cafe I was constantly nearly fainting because I was so anxious.

I'd print the questionnaire as a starting point.  mums often only see the good in their children and are so used to being with them they don't always recognise their differences.

I would try and think of a list of everyday things you find hard. Do you suffer from depression, or feel particularly lonely , or have found it hard  at school/ getting a job/ college etc, are you particularly anxious.

I think you are more likely to get the referral if you explain the difficulties you are experiencing. I suspect you have some worries or you wouldn't have been looking at diagnosis, but i hope things aren't too hard for you.

Thanks for replying.

I was scoring quite highly in any online tests I was taking, for the aspergerstestsite I scored 44/50 and I took another test somewhere else and scored highly on it.

My mum thinks I'm talking rubbish but admits she thinks she's always known there was a reason for me being so 'weird' and 'cold hearted'. I'm going to try talking to my dad and see if he will help me. 

Firstly well done in coming to seek advice. you are in the right place - there are lots of helpful peopl here who undertand.

Is there someone who can come with you  to the doctor and help explain things?

Or have you done any online questionnaire that might make you think you have autism? perhaps you could print them out and hand them to the doctor, or maybe print out a couple of pages from the website and highlight the bits which you think apply to you. Once the conversation has been started  I am sure it will be easier for you.

My son was diagnosed at 17 - the diagnosis really helped him understand why he had found so many things hard and we have been able to access lots of help financial and otherwise since then. I hope it helps you too.

Let us know how you get on.