Difficulties getting anyone to believe me

[Spud58]

So I was recently hospitalized for suicidal tendencies, and while in therapy, I spoke to many different trained professionals. Any time I brought up Aspergers or the autism spectrum at all, I would be asked a few questions, and then treated like I was delusional in thinking there is even a chance I'm on the spectrum, going totally against all my aspietests.org results, my life experience and comparison to symptoms, and my daughter being diagnosed as well. Every single person I spoke with basically made me feel like I was crazy, delusional and stupid for even thinking I could be on the spectrum. They didn't even consider doing any tests on me over the week I spent in the ward, all they did was focus on my anxiety and depression. What can you do in a situation like that?

 

[On the Inside]

I think in that case, they are dealing with the dominant presenting problem, anxiety, depression, suicide ideation, not the underlying causes. That seems to be the problem with our healthcare "system" in the States. Fix the symptoms, ignore underlying causes, repeat. Especially with mental health.

But maybe you don't need to get an official diagnosis to work on the issues around it. I know its not as good as having a specialist help you.

I'm sorry to hear of your trouble. Hope you can get the help needed.

 

[Spud58]

Guess I jumped the gun on that one, I finally found someone who is believing me, and says it fits what he read just based off of the report from my stay at the ward! So relieving, to have someone at least willing to believe and help find proper tools for me.

He found a group for me, more like a class really, where they focus on skills for emotional identification and control, social interactions and relationship interactions as well. Gives me way more confidence that someone trusts me without an official diagnosis!

 

[Cerulean]

I'm glad you found somebody, I don't know personally because I haven't sought diagnosis but I've heard that it can be very frustrating. Nobody knows you better than you, but expressing that to the "pros" can be difficult.

 

[Judge]

All I can say is that I find the prospects of a proper and correct diagnosis to be one "slippery slope".

 

[Suzanne]

Oh how wonderful that you found someone who believes you I know how demoralising it is to be laughed at and makes you feel stupid.

I was going to seek a "professional" but have decided not to, for those who mean much to me believe me and that is good enough

 

[rx7chick]

. Every single person I spoke with basically made me feel like I was crazy, delusional and stupid for even thinking I could be on the spectrum. They didn't even consider doing any tests on me over the week I spent in the ward, all they did was focus on my anxiety and depression. What can you do in a situation like that?

The most MOST important thing is to believe in yourself. As Aspies, our trust in ourselves was eroded by bullying and constant messages from those who wanted us to just be different..."Can't you just...whatever?" I don't know why American medicine has become so condescending and dismissive, but recognize that these people, though they have degrees and certificates, are not necessarily wise or truly healers. One of the most dangerous and destructive persons I ever crossed paths with was a psychiatrist and I knew anyone in his power would be utterly destroyed. I reported him. We have been conditioned to give over our autonomy to anyone whom our society has given authority. Take your own authority...you know yourself, and you know best. I am happy for you that you found someone you can work with. But if the red flags go up, alarm bells go off, or for any reason you feel invaded or dismissed, trust yourself first. Speak up about what you need, what works, and what doesn't. You are the authority on you. A true healer and helper will ALWAYS respect your right to choose for yourself, and your own innate wisdom, and will only try to help you find it, not impress their philosophy or belief on you. Part of my recovery of a normal life has been recovery from emotional and psychological injury delivered by health care people.

 

[GhostWriter]

So glad to hear that Someone managed to get a diagnosis! I was in a very similar situation as Spud58, spent a week in 'the cuckoos nest', & got a similar reaction to my contention that Asperger's might be the case. All I got was antidepressants & a recommendation to go to an ACA (adult children of alcoholics) meeting. This last was quickly interpreted by others to mean that I myself was an alcoholic!
But after leaving the hospital, the therapist I saw said that a diagnosis of Aspergers doesn't make any $$$ for the hospital, so it is disregarded..... Maybe this is really the case!!!
At any rate, I definitely agree with RX7chick- trust Yourself!! YOU know You best!!

 

[phoe]

It sounds like you've had issues similar to those that have dogged me my whole life - I've always felt like my deficits in getting the point across have lead to people not believing me.

It's taken me 20 years of pain, and difficulties trying to describe a level of pain to anyone who'd listen to find out for definite that I've got a bulging disc in the base of my spine.

Compared to that, from first hearing about aspergers (purely by chance, and realising it was "me") - to getting a diagnosis was a doddle - it only took me three years, and some very awkward questions for the local NHS (I'm in the UK) to answer, before they agreed to do an adult diagnosis on me, at the age of 43.

If you're in the UK and having problems getting referred to someone who should take you seriously, contact your local PALS team (your local hospital can give you their number), and ask about the diagnostic pathway for adults in the area, because you've been getting the run-around. It's actually a legal requirement to have this "pathway" now, so it should shake some sense into them

 

[BlueChapel]

When I was younger my parents sent me to half a dozen shrinks to figure out what was "wrong" with me. The only conclusion ever made was that my parents themselves were crazy.

Then I turned twenty and I told my roommate I thought I might be autistic and he was like, "yeah, obviously."

Anyways, in terms of dealing with AS, 5HTP and GABA work for me. I also find that pot really helps. I just have to be careful what strain I smoke. Indicas often make me feel like ripping my wrists open. But seriously, if the guy who introduced me to pot told me he was Jesus, I'd believe him. That's how much weed has improved my life.