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Finding Answers

Meerkatz

After months of researching and questioning myself I finally decided to phone and try to arrange a GP appointment to get an assessment for autism. I'm a 20 year old student in my final year at university. For around the past year I've been struggling with depression and I've had anxiety in some form for as long as I can remember. I was told that I couldn't be on the autistic spectrum because I'm at university and I wouldn't be where I was if I was autistic. I don't really understand this and it has made me feel even worse and even more confused. I've been seeing a counceller for my mental health problems and want to bring it up with him but I feel as though I would be wasting his time. I feel lost at the moment and it is seriously affecting my uni work and my relationships with family and friends, who are distancing themselves fro me when I try to talk about the traits of autism I experience. Any help in understanding and coping better would be really apprreciated. I haven't told anyone else I think I am autistic. Should I? Am I just making this up in my head? Do I keep trying to get a diagnosis?

  • So what would be my next step? How did you tell people at first?

  • Basically, there is no one component that proves definitive in diagnosing ASD, it requires the evaluation of hundreds of sub-components, and hence the need of a specialist diagnostician. Helping the specialist by giving them the data they need to do their job, makes things easier for everyone 

    So with the 'AQ Test' - we addressed the Psychological component, now we are getting onto the Physiological compoment - hypo-, hyper- and fragmentary sensibilities.

    In essence, I am taking you step by step through the introductory elements of Autistic self-diagnosis. What you do with this information 'is' important; but its preperation - in terms of getting yourself focused, organised and settled; this is without doubt the most important aspect of your personal research.

    Sincerely Thus,

    D.

  • I haven't read that but i Will when i get the chance.. but my understanding is that sensory aspect of asd is a difficulty in coping with certain sounds, smells, sights, tasTed and feelings in your surroundings. For me koud noises can be very distressing and the fact that i Work in a café has made this even clearer. Another thing is eating certain foods. There are other sensory issues but im not sure if that gives a definitie sign that i could be diagnosed.

  • Hi Meerkatz,

    I scored 46 myself also. If you can talk about your AQ scoring with friends, I think that would be worth while - providing that they are supportive of you in your quest for answers.

    Take time to digest this information, what with psychological stitch being so very unpleasant; especially when evidence against an argument is refuted as you already know from your GP.

    Now, I am going to ask another question about your Autistic research; has it included yet reading, 'The sensory world of autism'? If so, to what extent did you find it to be relevent?

    Sincerely Thus,

    D.

  • I've just taken the test and scored 46. I think it would help if I tried to talk it through with my friends. I'm not sure if I should raise it with my councelor though. 

  • Hi everybody, and hello Meerkatz,

                                                     Nice to read your thoughts on things again. As for communicating to others about Autism, do so more with those who have ASD, in that people do not like dealing with things they cannot cope with, or do not have a ready answer for.

    It seems relevant at this stage to address the fact that Autism is an evolutional constant, meaning that each and every person is Autistic, and as such has a singular interest in something more than others - whilst still involving themselves with others: such as sociolising, shopping, sport and so on.

    Thus you are not imagining the fact that you are Autistic, but the question now is, how Autistic are you? You appear to be reporting problems with social: interaction, communication and imagination - which are the standard diagnostic fields or criteria. Have you yet taken the 'AQ Test' ? - If so, what score did you get?  If not - it will help to assess how many autistic traits you are dealing or contending with, and should be included as part of your case for seeking diagnosis.

    Sincerely Thus.

    D.

  • What problems have you faced? How have you managed them?

  • The problem with it is that I now feel as if the problems I have are imagined an that everything that has happened is my fault. I identify with aspergers syndrome or a form of high functioning autism. The thing is I have not found it easy at university and I would put my success down to my obsession with politics and social policy. I have found it very hard communicating with people and would rather sit in a lecture theatre at the back myself than sit with anyone else. Doing any kind of public speaking brings its challenges and I had to do a fifteen minute presentation last year to around thirty people and I struggled to put all of the words together. I've seeked helped from one or two lecturers who I've gotten on well with and I would not have been able to get through any of this without them. I'm really not sure whether I should leave it but I feel as if the mental health problems I have are a direct cause of ASD. I've been very open about the problems I have with family, friends, doctors and councillers but no one so far has been able to help or even identify the problem. I am just rambling on now I think and that's what making this harder for the people around me. I struggle to understand how they feel or why they might not want to talk to me to the point where my best friend has blocked me completely and will not talk to me and my mum has threatened to throw me out on several occasions.

  • If a person has Lower Functioning (LF) Autism, they would not be capable of doing university work, but if a person had Higher Functioning (HF) Autism, they may be able to cope with being at university - as anything from a student to a lecturer or a professor.

    Perhaps you might find it useful to read the opening discussion of, 'Am I Autistic? Diagnosis?', in the discussions listings, and see how much you find relevant. If you wish to communicate with me about this, and the issues involved, I would be pleased to do so. The same will apply for others who use this website more regularly also.   

    Sincerely Thus,

    D.