Psychologist or Psychiatrist?

Crumble said:

Have been reading online, but struggling to find female aspergers stories, however, from what I have read they seem to fit.

There are quite a few regular contributors on the forum who are female. A quick search of the forum (community search, top left) reveals

community.autism.org.uk/.../female

which will give you some leads to follow.

Hi Crumble

From what i've been reading they seems to be alot of variations of symtoms, each persons individual ways/ interests and querks, these seem to be more individual to each person looks to be more the social side of things that has the similarities 'in my opinion'. The online tests seem to gauge mainly social interest and interaction so if you are regestering a score that suggests possible ASD then i suppose everyones story may well be different, everyones interests are different as true for people with ASD and NT's.

The information online for Aspergers seems to be fairly limited from what i can see and even more so limited for Females with ASD. suicidal

My own suicidal thoughts in the past 'from what i can remember' iwas feeling like i needed a good sleep and for my mind to have a rest, everything felt so hard and such an effort. These thoughts past on there own though remember thinking it was daft to think like this but the logic that told me it wasn't wright was over ruled by emotion.

I worked for 2.5 year in Tesco on nights when it was closed, past up the opportunity to go for managment 'because id have to go on days and work with customers'. Worked in McDonalds for 7.3/4 years as a Maintenance man, Drainange and Plumbing for 6 month and Bannatyne's gym as a male Domestic for 6 month though i wasn't popular here because i spent most my time repairing stuff and servicing the pool filters and i've also worked for myself doing Fencing, Pluming and odd jobs and a Taxi driver for 1 1/2 years. Ive always had more than one thing on the go, but iv'e always had trouble with in efficiency in these jobs and have always lead me to come up with suggestions to improve function which has brought me to a lot of confruntation with managers and staff.

It was the Taxi that got me in the end, so much contact with the public and lack of predictability. Over the last 6 month i was only able to average 2-3 shifts a week and was treading water financially until i got to a point that i found it almost impossible to leave my room.

I've always looked at things logically and never associated emotion with how i feel, still don't really, makes it hard to explain your thoughts so i can understand with how you say 'I feel like a piece of lego that has been unstuck from the board and won't quite fit back down anywhere'.

I'm ESA as of a month 'reluctantly but necessary' at the min, they put me on Citalopram, has given me more sleep and reduced my anxity alotthough i find myself still wanting alot of space and routine.

Sometimes i want something interesting to do and other times i want to go into my own mind to think and anilise things and get annoyed when people talk or sounds destract me.

The libery might have more reading on Female Aspergers and can probably order in any books you'd like.

I'm not sure if there is a PM function on here.

Keep us all up to date and make your posts as long as you like ' i know i struggle to keep mine concise.

Kind reguards Steven..

Hi Steven,

Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

I have recently left a career in teaching after a year long struggle with my mental health that saw me hospitalised on a number of occasions.

I have a degree in mathematics so am currently looking at roles where I can use my mathematical skills in a less stimulating environment and probably something part time so I can do the self-care stuff I need to do to keep 'well'/stable.. like running, walking the dog. I've found colouring very therapeutic too.

I'm not sure if I am further down the diagnosis route than yourself. I had been seeing a psychologist through CMHT for past six months due to suicidal tendancies, eating problems and self harm. Not sure what else would be involved in getting a diagnosis. I know psychologist has suggested my mum fill in a form if initial tests indicated strong traits.

I have been on a number of medications this year, but currently trazodone for sleep and quetiapine three times a day to slow my thoughts and help me from getting too overwhelmed.

I have difficulty expressing my feelings. The best I can come up with at the moment is I feel like a piece of lego that has been unstuck from the board and won't quite fit back down anywhere.

Have been reading online, but struggling to find female aspergers stories, however, from what I have read they seem to fit. Don't want to get my hopes up though just in case psychology tests don't agree.

Sorry for long reply. Hope I have answered everything.

What do you do? What jobs have you done? What are your it erects? 

Is there pm in this site?

Regards

Crumbs.

Hi again Crumble

Find that tiny bit of hope inside you and hang onto it. One of my Mum's sayings that stick with me is "This too will pass". These feelings may not vary massively but there will be times when there is some hope and you can get better and feel the joys of life again.  

You are taking some really progressive steps and there is a lot of hope in exploring Aspergers and other possible diagnosis.  This will open up a whole new community of supportive people that feel the same and are like minded, keen to know you.

It will pass, give it time and I hope looking into the possible diagnosis will mean you feel you know who you are and feel like you belong as many in a similar situation have found.  

Big Hug :)

Hi Crumble.

I've had suicidal thoughts in the past i agree with the 'fighting them' that your Psychologist said.

Your ahead of me i'm going for a Psychological assesment next month, try keep your chin up.

Are you working at the minute? What jobs have you done? What are you Interests and what are you good at?

What research have you done? have you read, looked on YouTube?

Are you on any Medication?

You can excel in peticular work enviorments, people with ASD have some fantastic advantages over NT's and i'm sure you have alot to offer in some work applications, theres a reason to fight the suicidal thoughts.

Kind reguards Steven..

Thanks Mhairi. 

This last year has been so confusing. I am told to fight the suicidal thoughts every day. But what for? They keep coming back.

I've been reading quite a bit about AS since my psychologist asked me to do those tests. Lots fits. Even the adjustment disorder and bpd diagnoses.

Will my parents have to be involved in my diagnosis? They have never really understood how I feel and to them I have always pretended to be normal after some pretty harrowing times at secondary school. 

Hope you have a good day anyway.

Sounds like you have been really strong going through some tough challenges.  I find it all so confusing too. SO many things overlap, are vague, similar and you just want to know who you are and what is going on and get some control back.  Have you read about AS much?  This often gives insight/lighbulb moments that may guide you and particularly those that discuss childhood feelings and so forth.

You are not alone. It is tiring trying to find the answers but you will get there in the end and don't be afraid to follow what is right to you and stand by it.

Big hugs

Thanks for replying to me.  

Yes, I've done some online tests. They do suggest AS. I'm so confused though. I don't know what I really think when I answer some of the questions. I don't know what I've learnt to deal with and what 'is' me.

Oh. Feeling very low.

Diagnosis procedures depend on individual cases. Some cases are easier to diagnose than others. Have a look at www.autism.org.uk/.../professionals-in-autism.aspx That page suggests that a psychologist wouldn't make a diagnosis on their own - not sure whether that is 100% true though.

you aren't the first on the forum to mention BPD, it is not uncommon for opinions to change after a diagnosis of ASD though.

Have you tried the free test at aspergerstest.net/.../ This is an indicator but doesn't have the authority of a specialist's opinion.