Answering psych test questions

The purpose, in my opinion, of speaking (or typing in this venue), is to communicate. Trying and failing to communicate repeatedly can become emotionally taxing and frustrating and eventually leads me to quit trying. Then, out of nowhere, someone responds in a way that spins my head around as I realize, "They heard me!" That's how your post struck me and I thank you very much for it.

My wife has saved me in this regard. Though her IQ itself is high normal, she scores off the charts in abstract thinking, so when I bring a radical or revolutionary thought to the table, she instantly grasps it.

I agree with the correlation you've made between intelligence and depression, though I am less convinced of the 'awareness equals agony'. I am Buddhist; awareness is quite literally, my religion. I find kindred souls in my sangha and have found serenity in the darkness - until I step out and try to interact outside my tight little circle. I can function adequately socially; I've studied people enough to know that if I just insert enough references to <insert local sports team here>, the Kardashians and ISIS, I'll do fine.

I'll admit, I got a little misty when I read this. Over or underthinking makes little difference to me - they're just opinion based labels - but if you found it fascinating then you heard me.

You're right, of course, it does depend on how I define normal. I was trying to use a more colloquial definition of the word to communicate acknowledgment that most do not think the way that I do. I know that I am different but do not equate that with something being wrong.

It helped a lot. Thank you so much.

Personally, I think you have communicated perfectly clear and I understand your dilemma. Unfortunately, I don't believe there is a simple solution here, but a multifaceted one.

First, a major concern that you have repeated is that your therapist is not listening to you, or not understanding YOU. I believe you should change therapists. It might be a good idea to check with MENSA to see if they have recommendations for someone who could assist, as I do think you are going to need to see someone that you see as at least an equal. You clearly do not respect the therapist you are seeing now.

As far as the testing goes, it would be best if the testing were administered by someone who knows you well, knows the way you analyze things and understands your religion. So many of the tests administered, psychologically and medically are one size fits all and this is rarely the best fit.

You have my sympathy on the disability issue. Any drunk who gets a doctor to write down that he is disabled because he is an alcoholic can get disability, but those who truly require the benefit have such difficulty.

A light bulb moment! Perhaps my T will understand this analogy; I certainly think it was crystal clear. Thank you.

I'll be interested to hear how it goes! I've always used that analogy to describe how my mind experiences the world. Some people get it, some don't. I am unable to think linear. And my thinking is very visual... I think in pictures. People generally can't relate. Although I personally enjoy the way my mind works, I sometimes think it causes me more trouble than it benefits me.

I promise I shall come back and tell how it went. Next appt. is 12/17.