[invisibleboy]

So I was diagnosed several years ago as an adult by a specialist in diagnosing adults on the autism spectrum. The report came back as moderate/severe Aspergers.

I have days where I truly believe this diagnosis. It makes sense. It gives me a framework upon which to learn how to adapt to the world.

But I also have bipolar I disorder and have wound up in the hospital 5 times for that - 3 of them since my diagnosis. None of the hospital psychiatrists have believed the diagnosis. They say things like I'm too socially capable, or that I don't "seem" autistic.

It leads to doubt. Maybe it's something else. Anxiety. ADHD. I've withdrawn from the autism community because I don't feel right presenting myself as an autistic person if no one believes the diagnosis. But for the few years where I attended groups and participated in studies (and interestingly enough, the studies corroborated the diagnosis) I felt like there was finally a place where I fit.

Do you find that autism, when you're "higher functioning" can be a contested diagnosis? Even my current psychiatrist is skeptical. I figure one day if I can afford it, I'll get neurological testing. Maybe they can shoot down a specialist, but neurological testing seems even more official.

[Skeezyks]

Hello invisibleboy: Well... I don't really know anything about this in particular. What I do know is that every mental health professional I've ever seen has had a little different take on what's been going on with me. So, as a result, I don't put a whole lot of store into the various diagnoses mental health professionals offer. Hope you eventually get your neurological testing. Perhaps it will help.

[invisibleboy]

Thanks, Skeezyks. I do want to work on my over-reliance in labels. They shouldn't define me, but it's just so easy to define myself by the labels I'm given when I'm struggling and they tell me why.

[Lunella]

High functioning is a bit annoying yeah, you get people who are very cynical of it. But the thing is you adapt and learn how to fit in, you're still autistic, that won't change, but you learn how you can mask it and appear as neuro-typical. This is why they think you don't have autism, cause you hide it well or simply just have become used to acting like a NT.

I usually say I've been diagnosed with Aspergers but it doesn't affect me much anymore, which it doesn't, I can blend in as a NT because I've become accustomed to behaving like them. I still prefer having autistic friends though, I can feel more like myself around others with autism.

It honestly feels like I'm putting on a persona to the rest of the world who are neurotypical sometimes haha.

[-jimi-]

Maybe "comorbidity" does what you explain.

I have aspergers but also ADD. People see the ADD. I can seem impulsive (although I am the opposite of!), I am talkative, outgoing (but inside I am a true introvert), overly friendly at times and seen as very capable and positive (even thought I have depression and anxiety!).

Sometimes what they see is not what we see. They will see it if they give it time and have an open mind.

[Noca86]

Originally Posted by invisibleboy

So I was diagnosed several years ago as an adult by a specialist in diagnosing adults on the autism spectrum. The report came back as moderate/severe Aspergers.

I have days where I truly believe this diagnosis. It makes sense. It gives me a framework upon which to learn how to adapt to the world.

But I also have bipolar I disorder and have wound up in the hospital 5 times for that - 3 of them since my diagnosis. None of the hospital psychiatrists have believed the diagnosis. They say things like I'm too socially capable, or that I don't "seem" autistic.

It leads to doubt. Maybe it's something else. Anxiety. ADHD. I've withdrawn from the autism community because I don't feel right presenting myself as an autistic person if no one believes the diagnosis. But for the few years where I attended groups and participated in studies (and interestingly enough, the studies corroborated the diagnosis) I felt like there was finally a place where I fit.

Do you find that autism, when you're "higher functioning" can be a contested diagnosis? Even my current psychiatrist is skeptical. I figure one day if I can afford it, I'll get neurological testing. Maybe they can shoot down a specialist, but neurological testing seems even more official.

The problem is most doctors and psychiatrists who are NOT specialists in diagnosing adults on the spectrum(particularly those HFA/Aspergers/ASD level 1) don't know jack **** about autism. The only autistic people they could pick out of a crowd are people who resemble Rain Man.

Take the diagnosis you got from the specialist and ignore the ordinary Jo Blow doctor/psychiatrist's ignorant opinions.