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So frustrated I could go pop!

Anonymous
Anonymous

Hello,

I'm sorry but I feel a need to rant.

I am 42 and have spent the last 25 years receiving treatment from our not so wonderful mental health system. I recently requested an autism screening and have been diagnosed HFA/Aspergers. My son was diagnosed about five years ago, he's 14 now. My problem is that now I've got this diagnosis my GP, psychologist, etc tell me I'm now going to be fine. Keep taking my medication and I can get on with my life problem free. I can and maybe will - eventually - but do they think this diagnosis is some magical spell? That it can somehow evaporate 42 years of mental health problems like they never existed, just because now I know why they existed? I came away from my GP yesterday feeling like I would have got more understanding from talking to a brick wall.

Rant over! Can antone else relate to this? 

  • I think that talking to the autism outreach worker will definitely help.  It helps to talk to people who understand you, or people in a similar situation who are going through the same thing.  It's no magic wand to make your problems go away but it will give you support.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous

    Hi Jon,

    Thanks for your reply. I wasn't in the best of moods yesterday, feeling a bit less spikey today! It has given me a lot of understanding, it's just it coincided with a "difficult" time and all seems to be happening at once. We don't have any local support groups but I'm meeting up with the autism outreach worker shortly who will be able to offer some help.

    The diagnosis makes a lot of sense, I've known myself since my son was diagnosed but I needed a professional opinion to be absolutely sure. My son struggles but we are working through it together and look at it like a big thousand piece jigsaw that's been unsolvable for years - now we have the corner pieces in, we're working on the edges. Once they are in place I think the middle will come together by itself.

  • Hi Susie163,

    I got a recent Asperger diagnosis and it doesn't in itself change anything. It just offers understanding. comorbid conditions such as depression don't just disappear but the diagnosis might eventually lead to an understanding of the cause. For me it is practical measures that I find most helpful. People telling me to be not so 'hard on myself' or that 'give yourself a break' doesn't really work as society as a whole doesn't see things like that....bills to pay for example....

    My own personal view and experience regarding medication 9anti-depression) is that it has a place but does not actually fix anything. If someone had a bus wheel parked on their foot and was down about the pain I am certain that anti-depressants are not the answer to the problem.

    Are there ant support groups in your area? could you push to see a Psychologist or therapist (experienced with Asperegrs) in the light of your new diagnosis?

    Also does the HFA/Aspergers diagnosis make sense to you? Can you see any benefits from knowing. As you are probably aware there are lots of Aspergers resources out there that may help you move forwards without the help of NHS. Self-advocacy plays a part too. Know your condition, know your rights.

  • Doesnt surprise me, its why I havent bothered with a diagnosis.

    As far as I know aspergers isnt a treatable illness, and I dont think it should be.

    What did you expect ?