Mental Health A Psychologist Said I Have Aspergers...

[Codeine Cowboy]

I've been painfully shy my whole life but I have had a reasonably healthy social life. Always had friends, gone to parties, had social jobs etc. For about a year I abused benzos and some other drugs (MDMA and Codeine most weekends). I got into some legal trouble and I stopped benzos and started therapy. The first time I saw a psychologist they brought up Aspergers and I instantly dismissed it and said I understand peoples emotions well plus I had seen other psychologists and GP's and this was never brought up. I continued therapy with that person for a few months and it was never brought up again.

I had to go see a forensic psychologist for my court case, it was a long session with lots of tests and they talked to my parents. They wrote a report diagnosing me with Aspergers. It was followed up with a visit to a forensic psychiatrist and for this session I had a small dose of valium but didn't tell them. He dismissed it all and said I had severe anxiety but definitely no signs of Aspergers.

I have no idea what to think anymore. If I was honest and told the psychiatrist I was on valium would it of made a difference to his diagnosis? I had never thought of myself as autistic and no one has ever mentioned it. Surely I couldn't have lived my whole life with Aspergers and not known?

 

[Cornishman]

I'm not sure.

I too was diagnosed with aspergers and have been painfully shy throughout my life.

It's funny because valium really, really helps me to feel 'normal' and connect with people I would otherwise struggle with. (which is almost everyone, lol).
So yeah, I would expect the valium made you come across as 'normal'.

 

[Black Rabbit of Inle]

I have Aspergers tendencies, but no official diagnosis. Shyness is a very common thing in people, but at varying degrees.

If you are concerned about your diagnosis, go for another opinion with a completely different psychologist. Be completely open and honest with your prior diagnosis and see what they have to say.

 

[Codeine Cowboy]

Yeah it complete eliminates the anxiety and makes me feel normal as well though no one has ever mentioned me being different on it. I always thought asperrgers is usually diagnosed up in your childhood, not 23 years old. Are you prescribed anything for it?

 

[Pretty_Diamonds]

^ Aspergers is best when caught during childhood, however, if you don't raise any red flags with your parents/teachers during that time. You usually don't need medication. Just therapy to help you build relationships, increase confidence and comfortability with creating/keeping relationships, etc. Don't think so much into it. A diagnosis isn't a label. It just opens door for treatment to help improve yourself.

 

[Sprout]

I have definite Aspergers traits but no official diagnosis; the usual colour preferences, excessive disposition with time, things must be in the correct order, everywhere (I got thrown out of several stores for re-arranging their shelves in alphabetical order and their food stock in descending order according to calories per serving). I cannot eat "combination foods", every item must be distinctly separate at all times, and is eaten in a specific order every time. Add in the generic social anxiety (I have panic attacks in crowds, constantly) and general silence and I quite possibly do have Aspergers, but I'm okay with it, it's part of me and it will never change.

 

[Eveleivibe]

I've been painfully shy my whole life but I have had a reasonably healthy social life. Always had friends, gone to parties, had social jobs etc. For about a year I abused benzos and some other drugs (MDMA and Codeine most weekends). I got into some legal trouble and I stopped benzos and started therapy. The first time I saw a psychologist they brought up Aspergers and I instantly dismissed it and said I understand peoples emotions well plus I had seen other psychologists and GP's and this was never brought up. I continued therapy with that person for a few months and it was never brought up again.

I had to go see a forensic psychologist for my court case, it was a long session with lots of tests and they talked to my parents. They wrote a report diagnosing me with Aspergers. It was followed up with a visit to a forensic psychiatrist and for this session I had a small dose of valium but didn't tell them. He dismissed it all and said I had severe anxiety but definitely no signs of Aspergers.

I have no idea what to think anymore. If I was honest and told the psychiatrist I was on valium would it of made a difference to his diagnosis? I had never thought of myself as autistic and no one has ever mentioned it. Surely I couldn't have lived my whole life with Aspergers and not known?

Hiya - both of my ex-partners have Asperger's Syndrome so I have lived with it. I have also had a codeine addiction at 800mg+ daily.

AS is VERY complex n no two people are thr same. Both of my ex were as different as chalk n cheese. Aspies FEEL emotions. They find it difficult to match the emotion with the situation for instance the may laugh when they are meant to feel sad. Being social does NOT necessarily mean you're not aspie - or maybe have some aspie traits.

My advice would be to check out youtube. There's LOTS of videos from aspies giving out their experiences. And will help you. I am not necessarily saying that you have AS but I am suggesting that you do some research yourself. Look up Tony Attwood n people like Lianne Holliday n Donna Williams (Donna has autism of which asperger's is apart of the spectrum n I was live at one of her talks which was fascinating). People with aspergers have issues with their senses also - for instance certain material may aggrivate their skin, noises to them may sound like gun shots n they may only see PART of a place as opposed to the WHOLE place.

With ex 1 I didnt know until we separated n he was not diagnosed until he was 22 when he committed a crime but I believe he was VERY much easily led. He'd do ANYHING to please people.

There are a LOT of books, websites, local info on aspergers and compared with the 1970s there's a LOT of help for children with Asperger's. in the 1970s most aspie children were put into homes n abused which is sickening n I'm so very glad that things have changed. Like I said I've lived with it n if you do have it---or traits of it then with help you'll be fine. A diagnosis does not mean the end of the world, but the beginning of a new world of learning, understanding n accepting.

Feel free to PM me if you need to talk.

All the very best,
Evey xxx

 

[nuttynutskin]

I had a psych exam and was told that I had some Asperger's like symptoms. I think it was total bullshit tho from what I've researched about it. I think they got some of my ocd tendencies confused. What's important is what you think OP. People get mislabeled by psychiatrists all the time. The fact that there are so many overlapping symptoms doesn't exactly help things to be clearer either. lol

 

[THECATINTHEHAT]

How long have you Been off the benzos? If it's less than six months then any 'diagnosis' isn't really valid as your brain chemistry is still resetting.

edit: Yes, the psychologist knowing that you have been having trouble with addiction makes a massive difference. For instance any diagnosis of depression is invalid by definition in the DSM-IV if it happens within six months of a period od drug or alcohol addiction. You have to have been clean for a period before they can make an accurate assessment of your mental state.

 

[ad lib]

Try not to let a diagnosis control your life.

I know it's easier said than done, but think about it: Aspergers is not a death sentence. I feel with proper help you'll be able to live a fulfilling life to the best of your ability.

 

[Eveleivibe]

Try not to let a diagnosis control your life.

I know it's easier said than done, but think about it: Aspergers is not a death sentence. I feel with proper help you'll be able to live a fulfilling life to the best of your ability.

Very true... Also agree with the comment above this one that if you are / have only just detoxed from mind-alterating drugs, your brain chemistry will be affected therefore a professional cannot properly diagnose you. Concentrate on getting better and please keep typing for support - we are all here for you,
Take care of you,
Evey