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Do prior records help or inhibit diagnosis?

IrkaBlue

I'm a 22 year old waiting for her assessment, and I'm guessing most of you know how hard the wait is, though, I'm fighting back after my supreme meltdown in December to get in work. Trying not to put my life on hold beyond avoiding returning to study until I get a diagnosis.  

I was assessed when I was a young child at the local neurodisability centre for children. So, ah, I'm guessing these will be on my medical records? 

- They believed I had learning difficulties (that was proven otherwise)

- I was discovered to have poor coordination and fine motor skills (I fall standing up)

- Repeatedly saw audiologist (not deaf, probably just shy)

- Speech and Language Therapist (they concluded it was muscle slackness behind my speech difficulties)

- Educational Psychologist

--

This was in the late 1990s and early 2000. My GP has since referred me for an Adult assessment when I confided in her that part of why I was depressed came down to me feeling alien no matter what. The wait is difficult and I'm wondering if these prior records will be useful or negative in how they influence the opinion of my assessor/s.  

I can't help but to overthink this, even though deep down, I know I have an AS disorder. There's always been an oddness to me, and there are too many traits of (ASD) with comorbid conditions, for me to feel as if I'm trying to label myself falsely ( which I thought for some years).  

Now, I can't help but worry that they'll think I'm attention seeking? Or think I know better than professionals. I feel that I began to mask too soon (I had older sisters to copy), and my tomboyish was because (my first few pre-school friends were boys). I'm frustrated. But I know that most girls with Autism tended to present with learning difficulties (as far as most were concerned).  So, certainly, I'm rather frustrated that I believe I was 'missed', even though, naturally, I do understand the factors that would have contributed to it. 

I'm a researcher by study, started out in Psychology, so I like to think I can be objective in my own 'self-diagnosis'. I'm just so scared of exposing how vulnerable I really am by being completely honest. I feel a bit like a helpless child again, or maybe I never properly grew out of that immature part of myself? I've always felt this odd mix of 'old soul/naive child'.  

Has anyone had a similiar experience, or have any guesses on how this could work out? 

-Irka 

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  • Do prior records help or inhibit diagnosis?

    That depends on how accurate those records are!

    I am also waiting for a diagnosis.  This year i have seen two psychiatrists and am due to be seen by a multidisciplinary team in mid may.

    I am not sure how far into the past they want to look or what records still exist.  

    I am over 50 and have suffered mental health problems since infancy, and the help and diagnosis have been a complete mess.  I have often avoided seeking help, fearing i would make a bad situation worse.  That is until my three suicide attempts last year.

    I still unsure what's in my medical records, although i went through two special schools when i was 8 and 10 years old.  I've managed to dig out some of my very old school reports.  These are not much help.  Mostly they make generalised comments on academic progress.  And the few comments on the social side of my situation are complete rubbish.  

    To quote " He has settled into the form very well, and his wry sense of humour and placid fatalism are perhaps the qualities which have secured him firm friendships within the class" 

    My memories of that time are of no friends, loneliness, constant bullying, missing school for weeks at a time and considering suicide almost daily.

Reply

  • Do prior records help or inhibit diagnosis?

    That depends on how accurate those records are!

    I am also waiting for a diagnosis.  This year i have seen two psychiatrists and am due to be seen by a multidisciplinary team in mid may.

    I am not sure how far into the past they want to look or what records still exist.  

    I am over 50 and have suffered mental health problems since infancy, and the help and diagnosis have been a complete mess.  I have often avoided seeking help, fearing i would make a bad situation worse.  That is until my three suicide attempts last year.

    I still unsure what's in my medical records, although i went through two special schools when i was 8 and 10 years old.  I've managed to dig out some of my very old school reports.  These are not much help.  Mostly they make generalised comments on academic progress.  And the few comments on the social side of my situation are complete rubbish.  

    To quote " He has settled into the form very well, and his wry sense of humour and placid fatalism are perhaps the qualities which have secured him firm friendships within the class" 

    My memories of that time are of no friends, loneliness, constant bullying, missing school for weeks at a time and considering suicide almost daily.

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