Planning on diagnosis - what to expect, experiences of others

susie163 said:

Hi Deleuze,

I've read many posts on here describing the diagnosis process a long drawn out nightmare but mine was the opposite - I mentioned autism to my psychologist during my first session with her, she suggested she did a screening which I attended the folllowing week. It took about an hour and there were many, many questions to answer. Then i was given the diagnosis - Aspergers - in my next session we will be discussing this further and exploring support options. So a positive experience for me. I was 99% certain before the screening especially since my son was diagnosed, but needed a professional opinion. Best of luck to you. 

My experience was similar - I went to my GP and said I thought I might have have Asperger's, wanted a professional opinion and asked to be referred for an assessment, which she did, and I had the assessment about 6 weeks later.  The assessment lasted about an hour with many questions. I was given the diagnosis straight away, and a written confirmation arrived about 2 weeks later.

My family have been very supportive in this.  My mum agreed that I might have Aspergers and was very helpful in the diagnostic procedure.  I'm now being treated for depression and haven't had any follow up sessions, but the GP suggested that this may be possible once the depression is sorted out.

Deleuze said:

[quote][/quote]

Im getting diagnosed now. Im 29 (30) at the end of the month. My parents and siblings are the same about not admitting fault with "there own". My GF of 12 years is doing the interview as a replacement for parents. I and my GF told the Autism team that they wouldn't give a truthfull account and would cause tension and they were fine with this. My family don't admit to mental health problems so its a complete no go.

I havnt got a diagnosis yet, but your circumstances sound very similar to mine. Go to the GP and get the ball rollong, the longer you leave it the harder it gets. I thought I had aspergers in 08 and Im oonly just getting checked out now. 

Hi Goatworshiper,

Thanks for that it really means a lot to hear it.  Lots of things are changing right now in my life - new job and new home so I'm letting things settle before I go for a meeting with my GP.  also I'm stressing over managing my money during this period.

I have big anxiety about asking for time off anyway at work and doing so while starting a new job will probably push me over the edge with all the other changes that are happening!  But yes, point taken about getting the ball rolling sooner rather than later.

That is encouraging to hear that you GF is able to have the interview instead.  I do wonder about my parents - whether it's just my poor judgement or whether I am making the right call here.  Though my wife shares my concerns and she has amazing empathy/judgement in these situations.

In terms of information and preparation I pretty much ready to go for my initial meeting, so when I feel more comfortable in the next few weeks I'll give it a shot and arrange a meeting.  I'll post how I progress.

Good luck with yours Goatworshiper!  I just had my Birthday too - so happy birthday for yours.

Cheers and happy birthday too. Settling into the job is probably a good idea. I only work part time so it's easier to get to the GP's and hospital etc.

The Imp of the Perverse said:

Good luck with the whole process Goatworshipper...I was just wondering and please don't feel pressured to answer at all but what sort of things were going through your mind in 2008 to make you feel you might have Aspergers?

My wife is going to be doing the same thing as your GF shortly and when I tried to recall certain memories to my mum, there was a lot of denial and some flat out loss of memories, some of which I find incredible...she actually wondered if I'd dreamt some of these things! My sister reacted much worse...don't you think you should get over the past, I don't do sympathy, don't you think you and your wife just egg each other on...I had to put the phone down eventually...it was just so distressing.

It's starting to take a long time though. I wish it was over one way or another.

Good luck again with everything.

I was sat on a couch reading a book, and my GF had the TV on watching embarissing bodies and it was discussing Autism. Every sympton mention sounded like my personallity. Arounf the same time my GF was doing an applied pyschology degree and needed people to do the EQ test. I came out very high on that test. It just chipped away and bugged me wondering, if I do get diagnosed it does explain large parts of my personality such as rememering discographies and being poor at explaining myself and avoiding eye contact etc. I'm not romantic either and that has implications too. Im 99% sure I have some level of Autism/Aspergers.

The family thing is just a nightmare.

Goatworshiper said:

Im getting diagnosed now. Im 29 (30) at the end of the month. My parents and siblings are the same about not admitting fault with "there own". My GF of 12 years is doing the interview as a replacement for parents. I and my GF told the Autism team that they wouldn't give a truthfull account and would cause tension and they were fine with this. My family don't admit to mental health problems so its a complete no go.

I havnt got a diagnosis yet, but your circumstances sound very similar to mine. Go to the GP and get the ball rollong, the longer you leave it the harder it gets. I thought I had aspergers in 08 and Im oonly just getting checked out now. 

Hi Goatworshiper,

Thanks for that it really means a lot to hear it.  Lots of things are changing right now in my life - new job and new home so I'm letting things settle before I go for a meeting with my GP.  also I'm stressing over managing my money during this period.

I have big anxiety about asking for time off anyway at work and doing so while starting a new job will probably push me over the edge with all the other changes that are happening!  But yes, point taken about getting the ball rolling sooner rather than later.

That is encouraging to hear that you GF is able to have the interview instead.  I do wonder about my parents - whether it's just my poor judgement or whether I am making the right call here.  Though my wife shares my concerns and she has amazing empathy/judgement in these situations.

In terms of information and preparation I pretty much ready to go for my initial meeting, so when I feel more comfortable in the next few weeks I'll give it a shot and arrange a meeting.  I'll post how I progress.

Good luck with yours Goatworshiper!  I just had my Birthday too - so happy birthday for yours.

Good luck with the whole process Goatworshipper...I was just wondering and please don't feel pressured to answer at all but what sort of things were going through your mind in 2008 to make you feel you might have Aspergers?

My wife is going to be doing the same thing as your GF shortly and when I tried to recall certain memories to my mum, there was a lot of denial and some flat out loss of memories, some of which I find incredible...she actually wondered if I'd dreamt some of these things! My sister reacted much worse...don't you think you should get over the past, I don't do sympathy, don't you think you and your wife just egg each other on...I had to put the phone down eventually...it was just so distressing.

It's starting to take a long time though. I wish it was over one way or another.

Good luck again with everything.

Im getting diagnosed now. Im 29 (30) at the end of the month. My parents and siblings are the same about not admitting fault with "there own". My GF of 12 years is doing the interview as a replacement for parents. I and my GF told the Autism team that they wouldn't give a truthfull account and would cause tension and they were fine with this. My family don't admit to mental health problems so its a complete no go.

I havnt got a diagnosis yet, but your circumstances sound very similar to mine. Go to the GP and get the ball rollong, the longer you leave it the harder it gets. I thought I had aspergers in 08 and Im oonly just getting checked out now. 

Hi susie163,

Yes, looking through the forums its seems that generally the overall experience of diagnosis seems to be more on the negative side with one or two quick and painless ones - glad to hear yours was positive, hopefully mine will be the same!

I haven't organised an initial meeting my GP as I have just moved house and am starting a new job next week so want things to settle a bit first.  And then comes dreaded Xmas.

I'll post my own experiences of the process as it unfolds.  A charity in the area has recently been pushing for greater recongition of ASD by police and medical practitioners so hopefully the way should be paved for me.

Hi Deleuze,

I've read many posts on here describing the diagnosis process a long drawn out nightmare but mine was the opposite - I mentioned autism to my psychologist during my first session with her, she suggested she did a screening which I attended the folllowing week. It took about an hour and there were many, many questions to answer. Then i was given the diagnosis - Aspergers - in my next session we will be discussing this further and exploring support options. So a positive experience for me. I was 99% certain before the screening especially since my son was diagnosed, but needed a professional opinion. Best of luck to you.