Just been diagnosed

[bobob]

Hi guys. I'm 27 years old, always felt 'different' and had numerous problems. Originally I thought I had some kind of extreme social anxiety disorder, but after stumbling upon Asperger's information on the Internet half a year ago I discovered so much of it applied to me.

 

I saw my GP (I'm from England, by the by) who referred me onto a Clinical Psychologist. Thankfully I was not on the waiting list long - about four months! I had to fill out several shortish questionnaires first (less than a hundred questions in all), which mostly featured 'Agree' 'Disagree', etc answers, then I had two 1 and a half hour sessions, another hour and a half for my Mother, before I had the feedback appointment on Wednesday. She told me I fitted all three key areas and she was confident I had Asperger's, and so she was going to write up the full report and send me it in approximately five weeks time, before sending a copy to my GP if I agreed with its content.

 

Looking back at that day now I am surprised it all happened so quickly - I assumed after she said she was confident I had the syndrome I would have to do further tests (someone mentioned the D.I.S.C.O. test elsewhere but I thought that was for relatives), but by the way the Psychologist was talking it's officially diagnosed, paperwork aside. She even gave me leaflets that refer to the fact I have been diagnosed.

 

I suppose different areas of the country do things in their own way, and I am pleased I did not have to do anything more. As it stands I'm pleased to be told I have Asperger's - I have struggled all my life, wondering why (as I said) I feel different to so many others, and now things slot into place a bit better. I just wanted to write this post, thanks!

[Kathryn]

Hi bobob, welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing that. Good to hear that your diagnosis has helped you.

 

Others who are thinking about getting an adult diagnosis will be interested in your experience, although as you say, procedures vary across the country.

 

K x

[bobob]

Thanks for the swift reply! Yes, as I mentioned despite the fact I've always read D.I.S.C.O. tests are for relatives somebody on another forum said they themselves had to do it, and it was long and exhausting (hours long spread over a few appointments). I'm so pleased I had nothing like that! Originally I was concerned, wondering if perhaps the outcome for me was not 'official' as such, but as we both wrote I guess it just depends on where you are in the UK and what the Psychologist themselves decide. There is no hard and fast method to determine a diagnosis, after all.

 

Still, none of this will truly sink in for me until the paperwork is complete, I don't think. That's the point in which I will feel that this chapter of my life is closing and another is opening. I know some people are happy to be self-diagnosed, and there's certainly nothing wrong with that, but I really had to know, as it were. Leaving things unknown just bugs me no end.

Edited July 9, 2009 by bobob

[something_different]

hi

 

Great to hear you managed to get a dx without too many problems.

 

 

[smiley1590]

even though don't know you at all! pleased for your news well spotted! congrats bet you're pleased too! at least you got name to medical condition to explain why do and say act in certain ways sometimes that may seem 'different' it isn't just you! glad you got official diagnosis hope make sense more now! lucky you found information about it came across it by pure chance! do you have SAD officially diagnosed too as part of your AS? welcome on here! fit in nicely lol!

 

take care

good luck with eveything from now on!

XKLX

[smiley1590]

common for MH prob to show first before AS is mentioned as anything possible i had that too! you not alone there in situation happening too!

[Sally44]

Hello and welcome.

Glad to hear yours was all a positive experience. And I hope the diagnosis makes you feel better about yourself and explains why you find some things difficult (and other things easy).

[Tally]

Hello, and welcome to the forum.

 

I am 27 and was diagnosed with AS a couple of years ago. It was a huge relief, but I also felt a bit sad about it too. Be prepared that the psychologist's report may highlight difficulties you were unaware of.

 

It's also possible that you do have Social Anxiety Disorder in addition to AS. When you have found you make mistakes in social situations, it is understandable that you might develop anxiety surrounding them.