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[quote="nick007"]I can diagnose myself after doing a bit of research online better than the supposedly qualified professionals in my area. I was told by most all the psychs I saw & other people who worked with autistics that I communicate too well verbally & am too intelligent to have Aspergers or anything else on the autism spectrum. So either autism & Aspergers is stuff that is very similar to mental retardation & I have 10+ other disorders; Or I can diagnoses myself better than the "qualified professionals" can[/quote]
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<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%" class="forumline"> <tr> <th class="thCornerL" width="22%" height="26">Author</th> <th class="thCornerR">Message</th> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row1"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>kg4fxg</b></span></td> <td class="row1" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="http://cdn.wrongplanet.net/modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:11 pm<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: Aghogday</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody">Thanks for the response. <br /> <br />What you say makes complete sense to me here in the US. Unfortunately, most of my visits have been to a Psychiatrist which is the typical 30 minute meeting and no tests. I have tried the following brief list of medications and many more. <br /> <br />Haldol <br />Cogentin <br />Mellaril <br />Thorazine <br />Lithium <br />Abilify <br />Xanex <br />Valium <br />Lexapro <br />Celexa <br />Prozac <br />Zoloft <br /> <br />Mostly I have been mis-diagnosed according to taking many on-line tests to determine my issues. But I must admit the Meds were fun to play with in the past. <br /> <br />I recall seeing a special doctor in first grade because I refused to speak. Speak only at home. Private Catholic school, had to stay late and was made fun of in from of the class. I ran away every chance I got inn first grade and was able to avoid the police cars. I got good at it so young. <br /> <br />I have a whole history that fits in so well with Aspergers. But that is my diagnosis. <br /> <br />Thanks for the reply:) <br /> <br />Bill</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row2"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>aghogday</b></span></td> <td class="row2" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="http://cdn.wrongplanet.net/modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 8:59 pm<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: Re: Mouthful</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody"></span><table width="90%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" border="0" align="center"><tr> <td><span class="genmed"><b>kg4fxg wrote:</b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="quote">I think you said a mouthful about being diagnosed by a qualified professional. <br /> <br />But there lies the problem. I have seen many over my 49 years. Back in school in the 70's Aspergers was not even on the radar. I have been diagnosed as Schizophrenic, Bi-Polar, OCD, etc. My question would be what qualifies as professional? <br /> <br />I have a multitude of degrees/certificates and I am a practicing CPA & CGMA. I also have a degree in philosophy. <br /> <br />Many professionals don't even bother with a test, or ask about your childhood. They fill the 30 minutes and gladly prescribe you the most colorful of medication. Legal drugs - WOW! Sorry, I have little respect for them. Most put forth little effort, just enough to collect what insurance will pay no more or no less. <br /> <br />I know me better than any professional. Gee, if one phychiatrist says I am this and another is that and they prescribe different medications can I sue for malpractice? They usually diagnose me after only talking to me for 15 minutes, I guess that is my 15 minutes of fame? <br /> <br />Bill</td> </tr></table><span class="postbody"> <br /> <br />A Neuro-psychiatrist, can be more expensive, and may not be covered by your insurance policy, but they specialize in ASD's, and offer extensive testing, that other professionals do not offer. Both my sister and I had no trouble getting diagnosed in our mid to late 40's, with no medical history of problems associated with it. <br /> <br />Both of us were diagnosed with Aspergers, and my diagnosis was changed to PDD NOS, after I reported that I had a speech delay until age 4. They did not ask for any verification of that, nor could they expect me to have verification of it at age 47. <br /> <br />Neither of us visited a neuro-psychiatrist, but we had a friend at a similiar age that saw a neuro-psychiatrist, and the testing she received was much more extensive, than what we received. <br /> <br />It probably not common for a psychiatrist to come across many individuals undiagnosed with an ASD, in midlife; some may not have encountered it during a short career. However those that specialize in it like a Neuro-psychiatrist, are likely much more familiar with diagnosing ASD's in adults. <br /> <br />There is a huge benefit in a professional diagnosis in some countries for those that need help from the government to survive. But, it is rare that an adult would be qualified for assistance, in the US, based on a diagnosis of Aspergers alone in mid-life after a successful work career. <br /> <br />However, protection in the job environment is almost a certainty with protection from discrimination or accommodation in the workplace with the American's with Disabilities Act. <br /> <br />Bi-Polar disorder and OCD are common-comorbid conditions in Aspergers, and a mis-diagnosis of schizophrenia is possible, because psychosis is reported in tandem with some cases of Aspergers as well, and schizotypal thinking is not uncommon in Aspergers. <br /> <br />The ICD10 reports occurrences of psychosis and Aspergers, but the DSMIV does not. Awareness and support of Aspergers is greater in the UK than it is in the US, though. It probably means more exposure to more adults, newly diagnosed with ASD's, in the clinical environment. <br /> <br />Professionals are influenced by their clinical experience. As adults we learn to hide some of the social/communication symptoms associated with Aspergers, without even consciously being aware of that is what we are doing. <br /> <br />It get's us through life, but a professional may only see OCD, Anxiety, Depression, or Bi-polar, instead of Aspergers because the social communication impairments specific to Aspergers are not as apparent, and ASD's are are not something they expect to see in an adult without a previous diagnosis. <br /> <br />Neuropsychiatrists do extensive testing that uncover issues that may not be apparent through observation in a 30 minute visit. <br /> <br />It took my sister 8 visits for the decision of her diagnosis to be made. But, it only took me one visit. <br /> <br />I had no idea what the social communication issues were, but apparently I did not learn to hide them very well. Everyone pointed out to me that I was odd my entire life, but they never put their finger on why, anymore than I could. The psychiatrist had the experience to identify it in one session. <br /> <br />While some have bad experiences with psychiatrists, some adults would never have any idea they have Aspergers if it was not for their expertise. Many people have no idea that such a disorder even exists.</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row1"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>kg4fxg</b></span></td> <td class="row1" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="http://cdn.wrongplanet.net/modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 8:24 pm<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: Sarah81</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody">I am sorry and I mean no disrespect to professionals. <br /> <br />I recall a time when a psychiatrist had me taking Haldol and I went into convolutions because I guess I did not take enough cogentine? I crawled into a mall until they called the ambulance. I was in High School then back in 1978. I had one problem about four years ago with a boss who yelled at me and the company made me see a psychiatrist. I was on so many medications I could not pee and I had to have a catheter put in. Long story but I was bullied at work and several people in this large organization either quit or got a transfer which leads me to think it was not all me. the meds were very interesting, I would have a conversation with say you and I could not remember we talked? I think he had me one 5 meds and one was Abilify? <br /> <br />I am doing fine today and I take a very low dose of Fluxotine from my GP. That is all I take. I am successful and get along fine at my current job. My past experience has not been great with mental health especially at the request of the past company. <br /> <br />Please feel free to PM me if you want to discuss further I would be glad to chat there or via cell. It is unfortunate that many Aspies are unemployed but that has not been my case. I do twice the work than any other accounting manager and I am on special projects all the time because of my advanced skills in excel and access databases. I enjoy being valued and I love to contribute my knowledge. I am not perfect and I realize that too. <br /> <br />Thanks for the comments, you are one of the special ones! <br /> <br />Bill</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row2"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>Sarah81</b></span></td> <td class="row2" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="http://cdn.wrongplanet.net/modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 8:16 pm<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: </span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody">My bad, it seems medical diagnosis as a term does not necessarily preclude non-professionals but it seems to be implied in the description of how it is done. <br /> <br />However, I would still assert that it is best done by a professional person, even when you know more about yourself and the disorders (and there is nothing wrong with knowing about it, its very empowering)</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row1"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>Sarah81</b></span></td> <td class="row1" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="http://cdn.wrongplanet.net/modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 8:07 pm<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: Re: Mouthful</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody"></span><table width="90%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" border="0" align="center"><tr> <td><span class="genmed"><b>kg4fxg wrote:</b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="quote">I think you said a mouthful about being diagnosed by a qualified professional. <br /> <br />But there lies the problem. I have seen many over my 49 years. Back in school in the 70's Aspergers was not even on the radar. I have been diagnosed as Schizophrenic, Bi-Polar, OCD, etc. My question would be what qualifies as professional? <br /> <br />I have a multitude of degrees/certificates and I am a practicing CPA & CGMA. I also have a degree in philosophy. <br /> <br />Many professionals don't even bother with a test, or ask about your childhood. They fill the 30 minutes and gladly prescribe you the most colorful of medication. Legal drugs - WOW! Sorry, I have little respect for them. Most put forth little effort, just enough to collect what insurance will pay no more or no less. <br /> <br />I know me better than any professional. Gee, if one phychiatrist says I am this and another is that and they prescribe different medications can I sue for malpractice? They usually diagnose me after only talking to me for 15 minutes, I guess that is my 15 minutes of fame? <br /> <br />Bill</td> </tr></table><span class="postbody"> <br /> <br />My understanding of the meaning of diagnosis is that it is done by the appropriately qualified professional, i.e. someone with the right degree and experience, and who is in a professional not personal relationship with you. If you figure out what your own problems are it is not really a diagnosis. <br /> <br />Having said that it sounds like you know a world more about yourself than any professional, like most of us do - so your description is probably more accurate than the professional diagnoses you have received but it is still not a diagnosis. <br /> <br />Also what you have said about professionals is extremely hurtful and insulting. I know some of them who are like you describe, but the majority are like me - extremely hard working and ethical, and want to help. If we wanted lots of money we would have studied something else. Just because you think you have a higher IQ than most of them is no reason to disrespect people, and that works both ways. I am sorry if you have been treated badly in the past.</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row2"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>kg4fxg</b></span></td> <td class="row2" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="http://cdn.wrongplanet.net/modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 7:39 pm<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: Mouthful</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody">I think you said a mouthful about being diagnosed by a qualified professional. <br /> <br />But there lies the problem. I have seen many over my 49 years. Back in school in the 70's Aspergers was not even on the radar. I have been diagnosed as Schizophrenic, Bi-Polar, OCD, etc. My question would be what qualifies as professional? <br /> <br />I have a multitude of degrees/certificates and I am a practicing CPA & CGMA. I also have a degree in philosophy. <br /> <br />Many professionals don't even bother with a test, or ask about your childhood. They fill the 30 minutes and gladly prescribe you the most colorful of medication. Legal drugs - WOW! Sorry, I have little respect for them. Most put forth little effort, just enough to collect what insurance will pay no more or no less. <br /> <br />I know me better than any professional. Gee, if one phychiatrist says I am this and another is that and they prescribe different medications can I sue for malpractice? They usually diagnose me after only talking to me for 15 minutes, I guess that is my 15 minutes of fame? <br /> <br />Bill</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row1"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>nick007</b></span></td> <td class="row1" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="http://cdn.wrongplanet.net/modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 7:30 pm<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: </span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody">I can diagnose myself after doing a bit of research online better than the supposedly qualified professionals in my area. I was told by most all the psychs I saw & other people who worked with autistics that I communicate too well verbally & am too intelligent to have Aspergers or anything else on the autism spectrum. So either autism & Aspergers is stuff that is very similar to mental retardation & I have 10+ other disorders; Or I can diagnoses myself better than the "qualified professionals" can</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row2"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>Sarah81</b></span></td> <td class="row2" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="http://cdn.wrongplanet.net/modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 11:07 pm<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: </span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody"></span><table width="90%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" border="0" align="center"><tr> <td><span class="genmed"><b>lostgirl1986 wrote:</b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="quote">Okay, depending on where you live getting a diagnosis may be really difficult. When I thought I has Asperger's Syndrome, I started researching about it A LOT. I brought this up to a psychiatrist and he laughed and said it doesn't look like you have Asperger's Syndrome. Then he said it wasn't important because I wasn't in school anymore. He said it was only a label. He said only psychologists could make a diagnosis and they're really expensive here. I got tested a lot throughout my life in school. Asperger's Syndrome didn't even really come out uuntil the early 90's not to mention it was more popular in boys. I always had developmental delays in school, they never really pinpointed the cause though.</td> </tr></table><span class="postbody"> <br /> <br />That's interesting because where I live the Paediatrician gives a diagnosis of aspergers disorder. I am wondering for those who have been diagnosed by a professional, which type of doctor or specialist diagnosed your aspergers? And how did you trust this diagnosis? That way people can know what to expect from professionals. <br /> <br /> I have heard that the clinical presentation of aspergers varies between male and female, with girls more able to 'mask' their differences, although I didn't find that to be the case in my own clinical work.</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row1"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>lostgirl1986</b></span></td> <td class="row1" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="http://cdn.wrongplanet.net/modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 8:58 am<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: </span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody">Okay, depending on where you live getting a diagnosis may be really difficult. When I thought I has Asperger's Syndrome, I started researching about it A LOT. I brought this up to a psychiatrist and he laughed and said it doesn't look like you have Asperger's Syndrome. Then he said it wasn't important because I wasn't in school anymore. He said it was only a label. He said only psychologists could make a diagnosis and they're really expensive here. I got tested a lot throughout my life in school. Asperger's Syndrome didn't even really come out uuntil the early 90's not to mention it was more popular in boys. I always had developmental delays in school, they never really pinpointed the cause though.</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row2"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>Sarah81</b></span></td> <td class="row2" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="http://cdn.wrongplanet.net/modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 7:13 am<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: Re: Person > diagnosis</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody"></span><table width="90%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" border="0" align="center"><tr> <td><span class="genmed"><b>nat4200 wrote:</b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="quote"></span><table width="90%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" border="0" align="center"><tr> <td><span class="genmed"><b>Sarah81 wrote:</b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="quote">1. Only a qualified professional can give you a diagnosis</td> </tr></table><span class="postbody"> <br /><span style="font-weight: bold">False</span> You don't have to be a qualified botanist to recognise a tulip from a rose. You don't have to be a medical doctor to "diagnose" when you've got a cold or flu. You don't have a practising mechanic to determine a faulty part in a car engine, if your sufficiently knowledgeable. <br /> <br />A professional diagnosis as opposed to a self-diagnosis or diagnosis from other non-professionals however is somewhat authoritative and is important if the validity of the claimed diagnosis is challenged or may be questioned, and may be more objective (and may consider other diagnoses and factors that a well researched layperson may not have come across, or may not have assigned appropriate importance to). <br /> <br />As you point out, a professional diagnosis also also differs from a self-diagnosis (or a diagnosis from someone that knows the subject well informally) in the perspective of the person preforming the diagnosis. However, their are reports on this forum from adults that had trouble being diagnosed largely <span style="font-style: italic">because</span> of this, eg. the professional mistook their learnt behaviour/"functioning"[ ? ] for fitting in and as indications for them being "NT" (and later told them that this excluded them from diagnosis, despite say test results/reports from the subject)</td> </tr></table><span class="postbody"> <br /> <br />Great response, thanks <img src="modules/Forums/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif" alt="Smile" border="0" /> <br /> <br />I will revise point one to read "Only a professional can give you a <span style="font-style: italic">certain</span> diagnosis. I could probably tell you if my car was having a brake problem or a gearbox problem. Someone with a bit more know-how could even change my brake pads for me, if I let them. But at the end of the day, I am taking the car to the mechanic because I trust that mechanic with my life. <br /> <br />Sure, you can tell me the difference between a tulip and a rose. But can you tell me the difference between a callistemon and a grevillea? And which species and sub-species? If I gave you a botany book, would you even know how to use it to determine the difference? And would you be <span style="font-style: italic">sure</span>? <br /> <br />The profession I <span style="font-style: italic">used</span> to work in (before becoming bipolar), Speech Pathology, involves differentially diagnosing disorders of communication. The general public uses and misuses the terminology freely. Even those with a diagnosis do not understand their diagnosis the way I do (and I don't understand it the way they do). Teachers, who work daily with children with various communication disorders, still call on the expertise of Speech pathologists in making the diagnosis. To get the diagnosis right, you need to have a very in-depth understanding of the topic at a degree level. You also need to develop specific skills and competencies in assessment and differential diagnosis. It takes a lot of training and practice. <br /> <br />In psychiatry, the skills and knowledge required are even greater. The registrars, who do the ground work, have done many years of study and training - and yet still, the ultimate diagnosis is done by the consultant, and there is a good reason for this. <br /> <br />A good professional needs to respect the fact that the patient is the person with the disorder and therefore has a unique knowledge about their own situation. Unfortunately this doesn't happen as often as it should. In my opinion, misdiagnosis is almost always a result of poor clinical communication skills by the professional - which are paramount in good diagnosis. Communication is, after all, a two-way process and it helps if the respect is also two-way. <br /> <br />In an ideal world, diagnosis <span style="font-style: italic">should</span> lead to the development of appropriate management strategies. For my bipolar disorder, I was prescribed lithium, the gold standard medication for bipolar. This worked like no other medication had before. <br />Unfortunately, the system (and the people in it) often spend so many resources on the diagnostic process that they forget to allow resources for treatment. It does not seem to occur to people that providing appropriate treatment was one of the main purposes in getting the diagnosis in the first place. <br /> <br />In the education system I was forced to spend an entire day assessing and diagnosing a child so that the department would send a special teacher out to help him in the classroom. The tragedy was, they already knew that he needed a special teacher in the classroom, but I had to prove that his problem was 'severe enough' to qualify. Too bad there was no time left for therapy for this child now, or for several others. I preferred to use my diagnostic skills for working out which kind of therapy to do, rather than for beaurocratic purposes. This was a great source of frustration for me in my work. I do see where you are coming from when you say that diagnosis does not always lead to support. <br /> <br />I do apologise if I came across as at all patronising and condescending. You can see I am still making gross over-generalisations about aspergers, but give me time and feedback and I will learn. Thanks for your feedback by the way. I know what it is like to have someone without bipolar disorder try and tell me how to 'motivate' myself, so I should know better than to come and give straight-up advice. At least it has lead to an interesting discussion and some learning (on my part).</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row1"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>nat4200</b></span></td> <td class="row1" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="http://cdn.wrongplanet.net/modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 5:29 am<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: </span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody">Redacted</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row2"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>Sarah81</b></span></td> <td class="row2" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="http://cdn.wrongplanet.net/modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:29 am<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: </span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody">Also I should clarify that in my opinion, if someone is an aspie, then there is nothing wrong with them - aspies have a differently functioning brain to neurotypicals. Unfortunately we life in a neurotypical-dominated world where there is little accessibility for aspies. Also, neurotypicals and aspies communicate differently and about different things. The frequent communication breakdowns lead to the neurotypicals thinking that there must be something wrong with the aspies and vice versa.</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row1"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>Sarah81</b></span></td> <td class="row1" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="http://cdn.wrongplanet.net/modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 3:25 am<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: Re: Person > diagnosis</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody"></span><table width="90%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" border="0" align="center"><tr> <td><span class="genmed"><b>Sweetleaf wrote:</b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="quote"> <br /> <br />I have taken psychology so I know quite a bit about how the diagnostic process works...and the flaws one can run into when trying to determine their diagnoses their self. Also my issue is I cannot afford to see a psychiatrist to get any official diagnoses I mean I clearly have depression, PTSD and anxiety and either AS or something like it.......this is based on yes my own observations, observations of family& friends and what me then I was able to see a therapist for a couple months with not cost to me and he came to the same conclusions for the most part. <br /> <br />Also for me its not about a sense of identity so much, more of 'what the hell is wrong with me and keeps me from functioning and why is it getting worse.' I don't see how it really effects my sense of identity either way........I mean ever since I was a kid I wondered what was wrong with me or different about me.</td> </tr></table><span class="postbody"> <br /> <br />Well it sounds like you know what you are doing anyway! That is very interesting to learn how you have managed without access to psychiatrist. <br /> <br />I have wondered what was wrong with me since I was a kid too. Turns out I never had anything wrong with me, just that the other kids would pick on me because I was academically successful and musically talented. I think bullying can contribute to someone feeling like there is something wrong with them. It can contribute to PTSD and depression too. Anyway I am only talking about my own situation here, I'm sure that yours is quite different. <br /> <br />It sounds as though you are quite sensible in your search for a diagnosis, and that you are doing it for the right reasons.</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row2"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>Sweetleaf</b></span></td> <td class="row2" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="http://cdn.wrongplanet.net/modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 10:40 am<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: Re: Person > diagnosis</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody"></span><table width="90%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" border="0" align="center"><tr> <td><span class="genmed"><b>Sarah81 wrote:</b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="quote"></span><table width="90%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" border="0" align="center"><tr> <td><span class="genmed"><b>Sweetleaf wrote:</b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="quote"></span><table width="90%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" border="0" align="center"><tr> <td><span class="genmed"><b>Sarah81 wrote:</b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="quote">Hi all, <br /> <br />I have been reading the forums for a week or so now. A common theme in the posts is by people who are confused as to what diagnosis they are. I have made a post so that I can answer all of the questions at the same time. <br /> <br />1. Only a qualified professional can give you a diagnosis <br /> <br />2. The diagnosis is only professional jargon for a collection of observations. It is not who you are as a person. Each of our brains are unique <br /> <br />3. Getting a diagnosis will help you to learn the best strategies for managing the problems you are having. <br /> <br />4. We all struggle to define our identity as human beings. What is it that makes us uniquely human, uniquely who we are? These are important questions in life. We sometimes hope that a diagnosis will help us answer these questions; but it will not. <br /> <br />5. People who share a diagnosis often share strategies. Just remember, what works for one person might not work for another. Conversely, someone with a different diagnosis may have a strategy that works for you. <br />Anyway, this has been my opinion on the subject, hope it helps! <img src="modules/Forums/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Very Happy" border="0" /></td> </tr></table><span class="postbody"> <br /> <br />Alright good points, except what do you propose people with lots of symptoms but no official diagnoses do? pretend they don't have the symptoms or use their knowledge to the best of their ability until it can be made official or whatever. I mean I am hoping with the SSI process I can get officially diagnosed and such......if they will agree with all my self diagnoses I don't know though.</td> </tr></table><span class="postbody"> <br /> <br />It took maybe 3-4 years to get an official diagnosis after my bipolar symptoms began, which is a short time compared to a lot of people but it seemed like a long time to me. The problem with diagnosing myself was that even though I had some background knowledge and skills, it is hard to do it from inside your own head. bipolar looks very different from the outside than it does from the inside and most of the diagnostic information is for outside observations. At various times I had hypotheses about various diagnoses that I might have but they all turned out to be wrong. It was only when I stopped trying to influence my practitioner that I received a clear diagnosis, which I could concede to be accurate. Inside your own head is your self-esteem, your memories, which influence the way you might process information relating to your ow diagnosis. It takes training to keep a professional perspective when diagnosing someone. <br /> <br />Lets put it this way.. Say you were on the quiz show "Who wants to be a Millionaire?". You were asked the question "Are you bipolar?" (I know, in reality it would never be a quiz show question, but play along here). Lets say you don't know the answer. Would you a) ask the audience or b)phone an expert friend?. I don't know what you do, but this isn't a question for the audience. It's a question for an expert to determine. Questions I might ask the audience would be "What do you do to help fall asleep at night?" "How do you handle stigma in the workplace" and so on and so forth. <br /> <br />The thing with self-diagnosis is, it does work for a few people, who may not have had very good luck with their professionals, and who have exceptional insight. But most of us do not have very good insight at all. <br /> <br />The other thing I mentioned is, when people are looking for a diagnosis, sometimes what they are really looking for is a sense of identity, or it may be an explanation for why they are having problems. Neither of those things are really granted when you get a diagnosis. Sometimes getting a diagnosis can wreak havoc with your sense of identity because you are focussed only on what is wrong with you and you forget all of the other qualities that you have. <br /> <br />Some people like to identify extremely with their diagnosis and I respect their right to do so. I prefer not to.</td> </tr></table><span class="postbody"> <br /> <br />I have taken psychology so I know quite a bit about how the diagnostic process works...and the flaws one can run into when trying to determine their diagnoses their self. Also my issue is I cannot afford to see a psychiatrist to get any official diagnoses I mean I clearly have depression, PTSD and anxiety and either AS or something like it.......this is based on yes my own observations, observations of family& friends and what me then I was able to see a therapist for a couple months with not cost to me and he came to the same conclusions for the most part. <br /> <br />Also for me its not about a sense of identity so much, more of 'what the hell is wrong with me and keeps me from functioning and why is it getting worse.' I don't see how it really effects my sense of identity either way........I mean ever since I was a kid I wondered what was wrong with me or different about me.</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row1"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>Sarah81</b></span></td> <td class="row1" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="http://cdn.wrongplanet.net/modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 2:32 am<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: </span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody">Also please understand that I'm a neurotypical, so what I write is imprecise and non-literal at times. I will do my best to be precise and literal on this forum in the future.</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="modules/Forums/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> </table>
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