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Hi, Sorry if here isn't the right place to do this but the Introductions thread seems to be locked. I'm Mark, a 45 yr old from Manchester and, over the last 5 years or so, have been diagnosed with Asperger's, ADHD, anxiety and depression, In that time I've been prescribed a variety of different meds and have, sporadically, seen several therapists/counsellors but am no better off than I when it started and, if anything, things are getting progressively worse. I don't know what to do or where to turn next because nothing so far - doctors, therapists, meds, etc - has made much of a difference to the point where the one person I care about has, rightly, had enough with me and my inability to provide any kind of support or even make discernible improvements or steps forward; meaning I'm in a worse situation now than I was 14 years ago when we first met. So here I am, looking for a new perspective, to tap into your collective wisdom and, hopefully, find a way to stop the endless downward spiral I feel like I've been in for as long as I can remember. Thanks.

Hiya Clint, welcome to here. I'm in my early 40s and was only diagnosed last year. This came about after a protracted, roundabout set of referrals: from GP to shrink for depression assessment, shrink back to GP for referral to a different shrink for treatment of depression, from second shrink back to GP for referral to an Asperger's centre in Sheffield for assessment, finally back to Sheffield for treatment but then back to GP for referral for ADD assessment (and that's the short version); which all took almost three years. I've begun a course of treatment but it's been temporarily placed on hold, awaiting a further assessment for ADD. Which is another thing you'll find once you begin this process: one thing often leads to another (apparently ADD is present in about 70% of AS cases, so be preapred). I've seen on here, from other posters' experiences, that GPs' attitude to AS can range from flat-out denial to grudging, reluctant referral to full-blown, immediate agreement. So, in answer to one of your questions, you can get a diagnosis via your doctor but it may not be easy or quick. From what most experts I've spoken to have said, since Adult AS has only recently been acknowledged, the vast majority of specialists do tend to focus on children but that's changing. Perhaps someone else can clarify this as I'm not 100% but, nowadays, once you've been confirmed as being non-NT, your local authority is obliged to offer you some kind of treatment, even as an adult. Thankfully, I bypassed my GP on my way to the AS stamp of approval, so can't speak from experience. But, if you have an intransigent GP, you always have the option of going to a different one. On a more personal note, the person I'm involved with is having a hard time accepting that I have AS, so at least you're luckier in that regard. Like so many people on here I've read about, getting diagnosed lifted a huge weight from my shoulders in that it went towards explaining so many of the problems I've been having for as long as I can remember. It definitely brings other burdens (work & relationships might conceivably be affected but only as much as you let them) but I'm happier now simply because I'm working towards getting help in understanding and dealing with them. Lastly, if you ever are diagnosed with AS (or any subsequent conditions), it's nothing to be embarrassed by. It definitely has its share of problems but it's not your "fault" and is it really worth being with someone who judges you negatively for being the way you are? Right, lecture over, sorry. Good luck in future, whichever way you decide to go. And if you have any other questions, don't be afraid to ask me or anyone else.

Hiya Blue, I went through an intial assessment for depression which, subsequently, led to an AS assessment referal, so your more-direct-route experience might differ a little. If it is anything like mine earlier this year, it'll probably involve a meeting with the shrink-type, approximately 2 hours long: half spent asking you a long series of questions (about your childhood, how do certain things/situations make you feel, etc), whilst the other hour will consist of them interviewing someone who knows you very well, such as parents or long-term partner; presumably asking them similar questions but from their perspective. It can get personal but, over all, it's pretty painless. The hardest part for me was beforehand - bringing it up with and explaining it to my parents, then asking them if they could attend. Depending on what brought you to the doctor's, for them to diagnose AS as a possibility, knowing for certain either way will help determine ways of helping you deal with those issues. Just be prepared to be patient. If your health authority's like mine, you'll be in for quite a wait for appointments. Hope that helps but if you need to know anything more specific, feel free to ask. Cheers.

Hi, I'm a 41/m who was diagnosed earlier this year. Nice to have the official seal of approval but still awaiting any news regarding appointments for treatment as well as an assessment for ADD, which, as I found at after having AS confirmed, is pretty common amongst aspies. The only advice I can think of is to keep your fingers crossed that your healthcare trust/doctor/whomever work a little quicker than they seem to be doing here in sunny Salford - I think I'm roughly 30+ years too old for the majority of current AS practitioners. Read books, talk to other aspies, do whatever you can or feel comfortable doing; just don't neglect chasing-up on qualified medical assistance. Personally, I'm cr*p with other peple so would tend to let my neuroses take over instead of properly listening to someone else's advice but, if you can do it, what harm could it do, really? Anyway, good luck in the future.

Even at my age (41), my parents (particularly my mum) seem to be having problems accepting my recent diagnosis with AS and potentially ADD. This is despite them knowing (most of) my disasterous track record over the last 20-odd years. Admittedly, I've never mentioned any psychological issues with them (I just don't feel that close to them), so, from their perspective, overnight I've gone from a middle-aged son, who leans towards being a constant disappointment, into someone with a "modern medical condition" they had never heard of before. My personal favourite quotes from my mum when she ambushed my shrink & I after my last appointment (it's in Sheffield so they've been giving me lifts there) were "Why has this only been happening since you've not been working?" and "But he doesn't have any of the symptoms in the book I'd read" (about AS, which I'd given her). Oh yeah, and don't forget the "you'll overcome this by yourself if you just want it badly enough" advice from my stepdad during the journey home. Now, please, don't read this as me being an ungrateful brat, bitching about them showing confusion/concern their own way. All I'm trying to say is that I'm doing this for myself and not their sake. As much as it might upset/annoy/infuriate/embarrass/bewilder them, all you can do is keep working to help yourself (or the person you're responsible for) whilst still, if you're up to it, trying to help the other people around you understand. But, ultimately, that'll will be their choice and I/you have more important priorities.

Hello all. My name's Mark. I'm a 41 yr old one-man train wreck from Salford who was given the official AS stamp of approval at the start of April but am now awaiting an assessment for ADHD after a follow-up AS meeting last week. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I went to the doctor's with a bout of depression and, as I'm also type II diabetic, he referred me to be assessed by a psychologist. To cut a very long story short, getting on for three years later, here I am - most of that time spent awaiting appointments for one thing or another (the treatment has been, so far, flawless; I just wish it didn't take so bloomin' long between each step). The ironic thing is that I originally went to the GP's because I felt my life & I weren't working properly (I'll spare you the grisly details) and wanted to find a way to be able to function at some kind of non-destructive/semi-successful level. And now, without sounding too pessimistic, it turns out I have something permanent which can't be cured or eliminated, although I've been told, and realise for myself, that these things can be treated or dealt with to some degree. Fingers crossed, eh. Anyroadup, posting something in a place like this is close to the bottom of the list of things I'd: a) ever think of doing myself, and b ) willingly or comfortably volunteer for. However, I've been advised (by professionals & friends, all wiser than me) that this might be of some benefit to me. And, as my life to this point has proved, all the things I think I know (including all of my beloved coping mechanisms I've blissfully ignorantly developed over the past four decades) haven't really worked in my favour. So here I am. I've also started a blog about my AS adventures. There are only two entries so far - I find it as un-me to do that as writing here is. Here's the link for those of you with way too much time on your hands: Damn....links aren't allowed after all. Ah well, nevermind. (There might be a little bit of profanity included in it...can't remember to be honest but, knowing me, it's more than likely. You have been warned. And sorry if links aren't allowed.) OK, that's my lot. Not sure how much I'll participate, or if I'll even post again, in future but.....it's done. Be good. M