Diagnosis confusion and moving forward

Thank you for getting back to me! And sorry I'm a bit late replying (had a deadline).

I seem to have the opposite problem, in that everyone else seems to think that I do have it, but I personally don't think that it fits me.

 I did get the book. It looks broadly similar to the Tania Marshall symptom list, although more detailed. An interesting read!

My main problem is that I got the diagnosis to try and help with problems I've been having. But when  I try to look them up in relation to aspergers, none of it seems to reflect my experience.

It doesn't seem to be schizotypal disorder either, although thank you for the suggestion. :)

Makes me think that I should get the diagnosis reasessed, especcially as I only barely scrapped over the diagnosis line.

We're all individuals with different aptitudes and needs. I'm a female Aspie in my 50s, and I'm now good at organisation and detail orientated. I am distracted by certain sounds and can often hear small sounds others miss. I have minor touch/skin sensitivities - can't wear too tight clothes or high heels, have to cut most labels out of my tops. Getting a comfortable bra is a nightmare. I like one to one interaction with people I trust, but generally find groups both boring and anxiety inducing, if that makes sense? 

But, as a girl and young woman I was different in many ways. I liked groups then too - particularly organised ones - it made me feel included and enabled me to learn the rules of interaction. I liked helping and teaching others too. I also found getting organised difficult, particularly at school, did as little homework as possible, and sometimes lost stuff. I didn't do well academically - it was all too much for me. I would retreat to my room and play guitar when I needed a break. My biggest interest was also books and reading, and I liked music and animals too.

As an adult I studied for a while with the open university - I did well the first year, but when I went on to level 2 I also got told my essays lacked depth, which made me frustrated and depressed as I couldn't work out what was required, and so I gave up.

As a child I would have laughed if you had told me I was going to end up working in accounts (I was going to be a vet!) But I'm quite content doing that now, in a role where I can plan my work myself and don't have anyone "looking over my shoulder" so to speak. Accounting, like language, has patterns I can identify more quickly and easily than most people. The structure is reassuring, I know what is expected and my creative streak works out solutions to problems others often don't see.

I've had to learn to organise myself over the years - routine helps. Timetables don't always help, as if you don't get things done on time it can be off putting. I find writing lists helpful - the items can be organised into most important to least important, or if none are that important, they can be ranked by how interesting they are. Sometimes doing more boring things first is better, as it gets them out of the way so you can enjoy the more interesting stuff.

Women with aspergers are often not recognised as having it. Do a Google search for attributes of female aspies. You'll learn more about yourself as time goes on and you'll learn how to cope. At least you have a clue why you are like you are - I didn't until less than a year ago, and it's been a steep learning curve. Very interesting though.

All the best

Pixie

I had been diagnosed with and treated for Schizo Affective Personality Disorder, but the diagnosis did not quite fit, and the treatments were incompatible.

Being diagnosed though with ASD addressed all my problems - left, right and centre ~ front and back too!

Maybe you are having a similar but reversed diagnostic experience to that of mine, if so - perhaps check out the information at the following web-site:

www.rspsyche/healthadvice/schizoaffectivedisorder.aspx