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Rebecca_L
Butterfly
Joined: May 29, 2008
Age: 45
Posts: 10
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 Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:37 pm Post subject: Question about Diagnosis |
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| This is going to be a little long because I want to give the background too. Basically, I've always, and I mean ALWAYS, had social issues. I have an adult (30 something) cousin with Autism, and last year my 4 1/2 year old grandson was diagnosed with Autism. While researching it (I'm one of Aidan's main caregivers so I want to know as much as I can to help him reach his fullest potential) I came across the description of Asperger's. Needless to say there was an instant "That's ME!" as I read it. I've been unable to hold a job for very long and I finally applied for SSI after my last job debacle and ensuing major depression. I just received the results of a very long test paid for by SSI which declared (and I quote) "Due to her age it is more likely that her symptoms meet the criteria for a Schizoid Personality Disorder rather than Asperger's Syndrome." (I'm 45) I still think it's Asperger's, but I'm wondering if I should get re-evaluated by someone else? My lawyer says the results are great for my case (lots of impairments to employment) but I'm concerned that without an accurate diagnosis I won't receive the best treatment to help me progress. So I'm asking for advice from total strangers ;D. What do you think? Should I arrange for a diagnosis from someone not connected with SSI, or just take my diagnosis and work with it? Will it substantially effect how a counselor or psychiatrist helps me? |
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jat
Raven
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 123
Location: Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:27 pm Post subject: |
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I think you need to separate out your legal case from your therapeutic "case" or life. There is no reason to get another evaluation for your legal case. The diagnosis you have works beautifully for your SSI purposes.
As to your therapeutic concerns, that depends more on the person you deal with than it does on the diagnosis, per se. Many clinicians have little regard for the diagnostic skills of the people employed by social security boards, so they will not necessarily consider that diagnosis dispositive, from a therapeutic perspective. As long as you work with someone who does not consider the diagnosis from social security as the absolute final word, you don't need to worry. It is legitimate to ask any prospective therapist what their views are on issues of this sort, especially since you would want someone who was educated on issues of adults on the spectrum. Few psychiatrists or therapists are skilled or experienced in this area; those who are, are probably quite familiar with people being misdiagnosed. You need to find someone who is experienced in this area. Once you do that, everything else should fall into place, as long as you are comfortable with the person.
Good luck! |
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Rebecca_L
Butterfly
Joined: May 29, 2008
Age: 45
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:21 am Post subject: |
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Thanks, Jat, I think that's a good summation. I agree about SSI needs being different from my own needs. And it's really only my future I'm worried about -- getting whatever life, coping, counseling skills I need to move on with my life instead of being stuck in unemployable-ville.  I've been given the number of a clinic with experience with adults and Asperger's who might be willing to diagnose me with the limited dollars I've got -- I think I'll call them Monday. If they end up concurring with SSI, I'll have more confidence in that diagnosis. If they don't, I can say my own private "neener neener neener" to the SSI psychiatrist (not in person of course) and move on from there. |
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Jollygood
Butterfly
Joined: Jun 26, 2008
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 5:27 am Post subject: Schizoid PD |
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| Maybe Schizoid PD (and Some Borderline, and Schizotypal, and Obsessive-Compulsive, and Avoidant) are just varieties of the autism spectrum! And psychiatrists are disturbed that often late in their career they may need to relabel people with personality disorders, so try to avoid doing it at all costs. Why should the PD lable come first, and rule out Aspergers (I think this idea is ridiculous): maybe you can have both, with the Asperger label coming first. Remember most psychiatrist have probably never met an older woman with Aspergers, so would rather avoid finding one if they can. |
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traveller011212
Deinonychus
Joined: May 27, 2008
Age: 28
Posts: 361
Location: Right here!!
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Any therapist worth his or her salt will take what they are give by the person and not let a paper fool them into doing the wrong thing. I would ask the therapist. Keep an open mind. Also, is your instincts tell you that your therapist doesn't have your interests at heart, run. |
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Greentea
Bull in China Shop par Excellence!
Joined: Jun 15, 2007
Posts: 1980
Location: Middle East
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| Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:05 am Post subject: |
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I agree with everyone above, except in my personal case I'd consider the following as well: in my country it could be a problem to have an official diagnosis if it says something that is not what I really have. It might be a hindrance if I had to take someone to Court or testify against someone, or who knows, might make me an easier victim of the wrong treatments in public hospitals. By not appealing the diagnosis, you're agreeing with it, so I don't know if you can later protest. I wouldn't be comfortable living with an official diagnosis of schizo-whatever, especially because I'm 46 and have nobody to watch my back for me. It's tempting to solve the awfully stressing, eternal unemployment problem, but I'd weigh the pros and cons a bit more in my personal case.
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