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althestar

Have I got aspergers?

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I am a 47 year old male, and only really heard about Aspergers a few years ago as one of my nephews was diagnosed with it. (He seems to cope very well with it as he has been getting specialist help from a young age). Another nephew from another branch of the family is strongly suspected of being a sufferer as well, but unfortunately his parents have adopted the "head in the sand" approach.

 

The reasons that I suspect I might be an un-diagnosed case are as follows:

 

1. About 8 years ago I was pensioned out of the Police as a result of "stress". This obviously covers a wide variety of things, but in my case one of the main causes of my stress turned out to be the fact I was suffering from panic attacks caused by "social phobia" (for those that don't know, it is an irrational fear of the way I am perceived by others). I would say I am at the lower end of the scale of social phobics as I do enjoy getting out and about, it is really only in formal situations that I feel at best uncomfortable, and at worst have a panic attack. Going to court as a witness was no fun, and things like weddings, funerals, and even formal dinners are not my scene.

 

2. I am still single, despite having been in many relationships over the years. They don't seem to last more than about 2 years. I really do prefer living alone and doing my own thing.

 

3. I have read on the internet about some of the tell tale signs such as being numeric; that's me! I remember the registration numbers of most cars that my parents owned since I was about 5 years old, and easily remember all the cars I have owned myself. Telephone numbers? No problem...... I also have a tendency to lash a lot of love and attention on any cars/motorbikes and other objects that I own.

 

4. Repetitive physical actions. When I was young (up to age 11) I could not get to sleep without rolling my whole body from side to side (right arm flailing about!) for about 10 minutes or more.

 

5. Friendships. Definitely lacking on the number of friends I have! Maybe being hard on myself here because I do have a number of good friends but I don't tend to see them or keep in touch the way a lot of people do. I have a tendency to be friendly towards people but only let them get close to a point, then I back off..... see point 2!!

 

6. I have done a few on line psychometric tests and always score around the borderline area of whether I have aspergers or not.

 

So, how do I get a definitive answer, if there is one? If I was to get a diagnosis at my age, is there much I can do about it anyway? Don't get me wrong, I am quite happy with my lot in life as there are a lot worse off out there, but I feel I have not truly realised my potential and it may or may not be due to aspergers.

 

Al.

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Welcome to the forum, Althestar :)

 

I'm another adult who was diagnosed with AS in 2007.

 

Unless you choose to the private route, it can be extremely hard and distressing to go for a dx through the NHS. I was referred after my son's paediatrician suggested I might benefit from an assessment myself. Due to costs I was initially seen by my local mental health team, which was traumatic to say the least although I was left with a report that said I presented with 'traits' of ASD. Luckily I have a very good GP and together we discovered I was eligible for an NHS referral to a specialist adult diagnostic centre where I was duly diagnosed with AS. The whole process took nearly 2 years!

 

The NAS is a good place to start as they have useful advice for seeing your GP as an inital step, plus they can give you lists of private professionals in your area.

 

Whether you decide to go for a formal dx or just accept that you are probably on the autistic spectrum there is unfortunately little in the way of active support for adults. Some adults here with AS do claim Disability Living Allowance.

 

Bid :)

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Hi and welcome! Sometimes a diagnosis can help us to come to terms with Aspergers and understand ourselves. It might be worth approaching your GP, I have been very lucky as a specialist team had just been set up so I am going through the diagnoses process through NHS- there may be something similar in your area. A lot of people are being diagnosed in adulthood as Aspergers just wasn't widely known in the 60's and 70's.

 

This forum is a great support too- I find it helps just interacting with people experiencing similar issues.

 

Good luck whatever you decide!

 

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Thanks for the replies and advice, Bid and Lifevoyager. I have been in touch with NAS who have given me some more advice and ideas on how to progress this. Still undecided as to whether or not to contact my GP. Will probably try some alternatives as a first option and then decide whether to go down the GP route.

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Hi there

 

I think it's sad that an unknown number of adults in particular could have gone undiagnosed and had to struggle and develop their own management strategies for getting through life. Reasons are mainly due to increasing expertise/awareness, etc - my uncle has tourettes (he's 44) and was undiagnosed until relatively recently. For him, having a diagnosis had made him realise he's not a failure, weird, etc - in fact, he's an amazing individual that has gone through life with an 'unknown'. He now has answers, which has improved his self-esteem and means he now knows what he's up against, so to speak.

 

I can't say definitely whether or not you have AS, but it can be genetic and from what you've said, it is possible. In Scotland, best route is via your GP to seek a referral. In my experience with my son, my GP was extremely difficult. You could try the following, based in Glasgow (I'm in Edinburgh and know a little bit about this centre):

 

http://www.nas.org.uk/arc

 

http://www.nhsggc.org.uk/content/default.a...amp;loc_id=2790

 

Best of luck. Keep us posted.

 

Caroline.

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hi i am 49 and just trying to get answers to my problems so your definately not alone i have problems with going to family gatherings such as weddings making phone calls talking to people in general this goes right back to my childhood teachers just thought i was a slow learner and very quiet didnt have a girl friend until i was 21

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If it helps athestar i believe you could be asperger. You can apply for DLA without a diagnosis but you have to be able to describe your difficulties in a way thy can understand. Mine was picked up age 16 (about 14 years ago) for me that was late as i was severely depressed and unable to function mentally. Now 2 years ago i moved into my own housing association flat.

 

If you can its better to get diagnosed with ASD or autism since aspergers doesn't fit any learning disability or mental health criterion. At least thats my experience. Good luck and dont give up, see if you can find a local NAS branch if possible and ask them for help if you need it.

 

Alexis

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