I am scared about tomorrow's psychiatrist's appointment.

[Catlover614]

It terrifies me to be put under a microscope being analyzed and inspected by Healthcare officials. NT's unheartedly assume, "it's all in my head". No, it's not! I will be in an unfamiliar place alone and trembling trying to get the right words out to explain aspergers. And not just Aspergers, but also ADD, PTSD and SAD. Plus the fact that I will have to drive in heavy flow traffic to get there is overwhelming me. Any suggestions on what I can say to these people to not get condemned as a psychopath? I don't even know if I'm making any sense in this thread, but I sure would appreciate some help. Thanks!

 

[Ronin82]

Wish i could help you, but going through the same thing today. I have an appointment with DARS today, and no clean clothes because our washing machine broke! I also have to take proof of all kinds of stuff to this appt, and I don't have that proof. Hoping I'll make sense to the counselor, but these kinds of situations trigger not just the Aspie overload, but PTSD problems too...hoping to hold it together at the appointment and actually make myself understood for a change! Needing help!

So yeah, I know what your dealing with. Best wishes, and supportive hug if you accept them.

 

[Rayner]

Perhaps could you write things down that you want to bring up with the psychiatrist.

It terrifies me to be put under a microscope being analyzed and inspected by Healthcare officials. NT's unheartedly assume, "it's all in my head". No, it's not! I will be in an unfamiliar place alone and trembling trying to get the right words out to explain aspergers. And not just Aspergers, but also ADD, PTSD and SAD. Plus the fact that I will have to drive in heavy flow traffic to get there is overwhelming me. Any suggestions on what I can say to these people to not get condemned as a psychopath? I don't even know if I'm making any sense in this thread, but I sure would appreciate some help. Thanks!

 

[Catlover614]

Wish i could help you, but going through the same thing today. I have an appointment with DARS today, and no clean clothes because our washing machine broke! I also have to take proof of all kinds of stuff to this appt, and I don't have that proof. Hoping I'll make sense to the counselor, but these kinds of situations trigger not just the Aspie overload, but PTSD problems too...hoping to hold it together at the appointment and actually make myself understood for a change! Needing help!

So yeah, I know what your dealing with. Best wishes, and supportive hug if you accept them.

Thank you! It helps a little that I'm not alone although it sure feels lonely to be sitting out there in the waiting room for your name to be called. And then going into someone's office and them shutting the door and ask all kinds of irritating questions and me hoping that I can give appropriate answers. Lol, it's a nightmare for me.

 

[Rayner]

It's a nightmare for me too.

Thank you! It helps a little that I'm not alone although it sure feels lonely to be sitting out there in the waiting room for your name to be called. And then going into someone's office and them shutting the door and ask all kinds of irritating questions and me hoping that I can give appropriate answers. Lol, it's a nightmare for me.

 

[Warmheart]

Whos's paying for this psychiatrist's upcoming vacation? You are! You are the client. You are hiring him to work for YOU.

Better to worry about: if he/she flunks your interview, think how annoying it will be to have to ring your insurance company to locate another within driving distance.

Walk in there proud. You found him/her, made the appointment, and drove there yourself!

You'll let him/her know right off the bat about ASD. You can add the other comorbids if you choose.
Then, it's up to him/her to meet your criteria and suitably address your concerns in a professional and timely manner. He or she would be working under contract with your insurance company, so he or she will have to work to meet your needs.

It is understandable to be nervous about communicating! Truth is, communication challenges are just a normal part of ASD. The psychiatrist has the tough job of trying to decode our communication. If you forget anything, you can always send an email afterward.

You did great to get the appointment! Remember, he/she is working for you, to try to help you in the best way possible. Best of luck!

 

[Judge]

The most fundamental word of encouragement IMO is that you are seeing a psychiatrist. Not merely a psychologist.

That's most critical to me. That the process of formal diagnosis begins with someone more qualified. This is good.

 

[Catlover614]

Whos's paying for this psychiatrist's upcoming vacation? You are! You are the client. You are hiring him to work for YOU.

Better to worry about: if he/she flunks your interview, think how annoying it will be to have to ring your insurance company to locate another within driving distance.

Walk in there proud. You found him/her, made the appointment, and drove there yourself!

You'll let him/her know right off the bat about ASD. You can add the other comorbids if you choose.
Then, it's up to him/her to meet your criteria and suitably address your concerns in a professional and timely manner. He or she would be working under contract with your insurance company, so he or she will have to work to meet your needs.

It is understandable to be nervous about communicating! Truth is, communication challenges are just a normal part of ASD. The psychiatrist has the tough job of trying to decode our communication. If you forget anything, you can always send an email afterward.

You did great to get the appointment! Remember, he/she is working for you, to try to help you in the best way possible. Best of luck!

Warmheart You're awesome! Thank you for your wonderful words of wisdom.

 

[Suzanne]

Do you HAVE to go through this?

This is why I won't or at least wait if there is an asperger's expert and I can tell, because of what they would say.

Personally I would cancel!

I know that my answer is probably not at all helpful, but I honestly do not know what to say.

 

[Catlover614]

If I cancel, I won't get the official document I need to submit to ssdi. I have to do this, meltdown and all. The way I am right now, I can't work for anybody and I need an income. What else am I supposed to do? Trust me, I don't want to go tomorrow, but I must. Someday, I will be employable. It was 6 months ago when I found out about this Aspergers, I didn't know what it was called. All this time (44 years), I embarrassingly admit that I thought I was an actual freak. Turns out, I'm not a freak at all and neither is anyone else on the spectrum. I'm just now coming to terms with my autism and Aspergers and I'm honestly trying to make the best, next step. I'm scared of everything. Why? What makes me so detestable to people? I'm even scared of posting on here because so many, many people automatically assume and judge and never take the time to learn and get to know a person. Now, I'm babbling and going off topic, sorry all.

 

[garnetflower13]

I actually went through this, and my personal experience was that it was very frustrating! After sleeping poorly the night before, the actual psychiatrist didn't even interview me; she put me in a room with a student. And after going through the ordeal of four hours testing, she read my history and said that I only had PTSD. If I hadn't reported that, she probably would have grabbed some other phrase from the student's notes. It was only after going to a counselor who specialized in children on the spectrum, and asking if they would please evaluate an adult, that I was assigned to a psychologist who diagnosed me with Aspergers.

Everyone's journey of discovery is different, and I hope that you get the answers and results that you seek!

 

[Cloudyday]

I remember when I was tested for 12 weeks when I was 37 before a dx of AS and ADD was given. The best advice I was given was from a supportive friend who asked me to remember that I was a person. I think he meant that, in the final analysis, I would be revealed as a person for better or worse.

Then when I went into the first session I found the doctor to be very helpful and not intimidating in any way. He asked me to describe myself, and he suggested that I might consider myself a writer (since I had explained in a an interview with a psychiatrist some weeks before that I had writing as a interest). I replied to the doctor that I considered myself to be a person. I chose to say this because thought what my friend had said was true: we might change occupations, become fascinated with different subjects but these are not perhaps who we are essentially. I described myself as a person and the doctor seemed quite relieved, because I would not be hiding behind constructions of any kind. We would be people sharing a room and talking about the bizarre routes I had to take to get from one day to the next. As things turned out I was diagnosed with AS and ADD as I say and thanks to my friend's advice I had been as open and honest as a glass of water. I also remember my friend saying to me that I might meet the doctor again when he had retired and he might have a part-time job as something else, but if we did meet years later then I would no longer be a client and he would no longer be a practising doctor but we would still be people, simply who we are, each with our own problems.

I hope things turn out alright.

- Cloudyday.

 

[Ronin82]

I just got back from my appointment with DARS (Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services). Turns out, they are going to pay for my assessment with a premier ASD specialist in the city. The lady also recommended I look into getting my SSI/SSDI together in case I really can't find work. At only 4-5 hours of usable work-energy in a day, its not looking good for me to be able to be independent with just work-income. The lady I saw today was nice, I didn't have to hide any of my quirks or issues, and she was actually very supportive (that, like, NEVER happens for me!) so I was able to cover all the topics that needed to be covered to explain my situation and organize an appropriate course of action.

I hope your experience turns out to be as effective and beneficial as mine was today. Good luck!

 

[WereBear]

Perhaps you are putting too much pressure on yourself about acting like you have it all together when of course you do not?

Good luck!

 

[Catlover614]

I just got back from my appointment with DARS (Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services). Turns out, they are going to pay for my assessment with a premier ASD specialist in the city. The lady also recommended I look into getting my SSI/SSDI together in case I really can't find work. At only 4-5 hours of usable work-energy in a day, its not looking good for me to be able to be independent with just work-income. The lady I saw today was nice, I didn't have to hide any of my quirks or issues, and she was actually very supportive (that, like, NEVER happens for me!) so I was able to cover all the topics that needed to be covered to explain my situation and organize an appropriate course of action.

I hope your experience turns out to be as effective and beneficial as mine was today. Good luck!

That's awesome news! I'm happy for you!

 

[Catlover614]

Perhaps you are putting too much pressure on yourself about acting like you have it all together when of course you do not?

Good luck!

Thank you, i do put pressure on myself. I feel like I have to demand the best out of myself.

 

[Southern Discomfort]

Write your thoughts down if you struggle with getting words out. You can either write down notes or a whole letter and give it to the doctor.

Psychiatrists aren't as bad as people think. The two I've met have been super friendly, one has been quite informal and even went as far as swearing.

 

[clg114]

Whos's paying for this psychiatrist's upcoming vacation? You are! You are the client. You are hiring him to work for YOU.

Better to worry about: if he/she flunks your interview, think how annoying it will be to have to ring your insurance company to locate another within driving distance.

Walk in there proud. You found him/her, made the appointment, and drove there yourself!

You'll let him/her know right off the bat about ASD. You can add the other comorbids if you choose.
Then, it's up to him/her to meet your criteria and suitably address your concerns in a professional and timely manner. He or she would be working under contract with your insurance company, so he or she will have to work to meet your needs.

It is understandable to be nervous about communicating! Truth is, communication challenges are just a normal part of ASD. The psychiatrist has the tough job of trying to decode our communication. If you forget anything, you can always send an email afterward.

You did great to get the appointment! Remember, he/she is working for you, to try to help you in the best way possible. Best of luck!

Catlover, read this post a few times. Let it sink in. Why? Because Warmheat is not only right, she has the right attitude. Get this attitude and you will have it made.

 

[Catlover614]

Catlover, read this post a few times. Let it sink in. Why? Because Warmheat is not only right, she has the right attitude. Get this attitude and you will have it made.

Truth is that I did not pay for a psychiatric evaluation, it was a requirement of the state of Texas in order to determine if I am eligible to receive benefits since I maintain that I am unemployable at this stage in my life. I was born autistic and suffered severely by not obtaining any therapeutic treatment nor any medication of any kind...ever. I never learned coping mechanisms and the rejection of both parents has paralyzed me from seeing my own worth and value.

 

[Catlover614]

The psychiatrist meeting opened my eyes tremendously. I need to build up resilience to help me disengage with my painful past. When I reflect on my history and how it has impacted me, I must learn to establish resilience. Forgive myself, love my unique, one-of-a-kind, autistic self. I must tell my inner critic of self to SHUT UP and quit beating myself up. If I dwell too much on my past, it will keep me angry and strong feelings of despair rise up and it's like I'm dragging a boulder on my shoulders up an unending mountain. I desperately WANT to free myself from my past because it does not represent who I am now. I'm so occupied loving others and concerning myself with how others perceive me, I neglect to really and honestly love myself. The only wholesome purpose of guilt, shame, regret, and remorse for my wrongdoings is learning---not punishment--so that I don't repeat those mistakes again.