[Michah]

Hi everyone,

Good to be back to Psych Central again

After my Aspergers dx a few months ago, I have been on a bit of a quest of the spirit, for want of a better description. An understanding of myself. I have experienced much doubt and sadness, liberation and joy, but what I struggle with the most in my understanding of myself, is my lack of self-esteem. My lack of "solidity".

The last 6 weeks have ben horrendous. With a chronic pain condition going on for about 6 years now and sundry other things, my resilience and resolve is going down the tubes. I am seeing a pain management doctor in 2011 and I have therapy coming out the wazoo, but the answers only ever lie within. It is within that I must look.

I do not like what I see, and no matter how many times Depression knocks on your door, it never looks familiar or welcome or tolerated. It is a shame that it takes such dire straights, for me to visit my friends here, but I missed you all, and it is great to see you again.

Michah

[Fuzzybear]

((((((((((((((( Michah ))))))))))))))

[Michah]

Originally Posted by Fuzzybear

((((((((((((((( Michah ))))))))))))))

Hey Fuzzy!!!!

[Kiffygirl0793]

How did you get diagnosed, if you don't mind my asking? I think I might have it, don't know who can diagnose it though.

Hello, Michah. You are in my thoughts. I wish you well.

(((((Michah))))) Good to see you again!

[Michah]

Hey Byz and Kat! Great to see you guys again.

Michah

[Michah]

Originally Posted by Kiffygirl0793

How did you get diagnosed, if you don't mind my asking? I think I might have it, don't know who can diagnose it though.

Hi Kiffygirl,

Dx was a bit of a surprise to be honest. I had 15 something years of multiple dx of different things, and many psych hospital admissions.......with a sort of quiet period for the last 5 years. At the end of 2007, had another psych admission and garnered a new psychologist. After 2 years of therapy and not being able to work and so forth, my T brought up AS. I laughed at her and said it was ridiculous. I did not even know what "Aspergers Syndrome" was. So she left it alone, but therapy went in a very odd direction, much more confrontational, emotionally charged, and terribly confusing. One day I yelled at my T and told her to stop asking me things of which I had no answer for, and to stop being so silly!!!

6 months passed and she brought it up again. I asked her what AS was and she told me Autistic Spectrum Disorder. And I snorted with recognition and said "Goodness me, autism is rife in my family on my fathers side, from severe autism in my first cousin(kanners syndrome) to at least three other family members on various places on the spectrum".

Well, she just smiled and the penny dropped for me. I could ignore the possibility no longer. So she sent me to a specialist Autism Clinic for a second opinion and I was dx within the hour. I now see a specialist Aspergers Psych.

It took 36 years of heartbreak and trauma, with joy and clarity mixed in to be dx properly. It is a very hard road. If you want to find out about the possibility of you having AS, it may be a convoluted journey, but one to undertake nonetheless. I was fortunate in a way that I had a T that was shrewd and questioning, and it only took one, to turn the tables on 36 years of mist and confusion. It is still confusing, but at least the right help is available.

Keep pressing for testing, if you are in a position to do so. In the meantime, keep talking and feel free to ask me anything.

Take good care,

Michah