Hi.
I'm ystava (which means friend in Finnish). I'm 50. Have a PhD. I do science for a living.
I believe that I am undiagnosed ADD; I am suspicious that I may also be undiagnosed autism spectrum (or something else). I'm not necessarily seeking a diagnosis. I'm not looking for job accommodations or medication or anything in particular. I was identified in 1st grade as having a "learning disability" by a child psychologist, but this was before ADD was a thing, and I don't think I had enough markers to be evaluated other ways. In the 70's I think parents really tried to avoid having labels applied to kids anyway. Saw the child psychologist again in middle school for school and socialization problems (I was bullied a lot a lot).
Be that as it may. I am what I am and this is what I have to work with. I'm 100% sure I would easily be assessed for ADD... and I already manage it and cope with it for the most part.
What I am dealing with is a some transitions in my career (transitions have always been trouble for me)... and some family issues with my kids that have been completely overwhelming my bandwidth and I've been having trouble keeping myself centered. The coping strategies I've relied on in the past just don't seem to be cutting it. I've signed up for some local seminars for adults with ADD as a starter, but I think I need additional counseling.
I am completely frozen how to go about finding it.
I'm also up for a possible promotion which would greatly increase my need for better performance in interpersonal relationships. I've long struggled with this due to conditioning and my nature. I don't know if it's autism or not... Dr Google isn't a good doctor... I don't care what to call it. I have a good number of markers. I'm relatively high functioning by most standards, but there are lots of ways I'm a disaster. I can mask or adjust for a lot of them because my job affords me a lot of control over my setting. I know I need to look into it because my ability to network and interact with people (especially strangers) can be remedial. Also while reading all the latest and greatest research I find out that sexuality/gender are sometimes wrapped up in all of this and boy did that hit a little close to home.
So, how do I find someone? What do I look for? I first thought I should get an assessment, but then realized that maybe I should just get in a relationship with a doctor or counselor and let them decide whether I need the assessment and what that would accomplish. I really just want to get to where I can think clearly again.
The university I work near has a program, but they are booked up. They sent me a list of local providers, but I don't know how to decide which one I should use or what I should do. The actual assessment part doesn't matter to me so much as managing my mind; I'm having a heck of a time right now stilling it enough to think about work and the stuff I should be filling my day with.
That's the intro and the big question. Otherwise hello.
I'm ystava (which means friend in Finnish). I'm 50. Have a PhD. I do science for a living.
I believe that I am undiagnosed ADD; I am suspicious that I may also be undiagnosed autism spectrum (or something else). I'm not necessarily seeking a diagnosis. I'm not looking for job accommodations or medication or anything in particular. I was identified in 1st grade as having a "learning disability" by a child psychologist, but this was before ADD was a thing, and I don't think I had enough markers to be evaluated other ways. In the 70's I think parents really tried to avoid having labels applied to kids anyway. Saw the child psychologist again in middle school for school and socialization problems (I was bullied a lot a lot).
Be that as it may. I am what I am and this is what I have to work with. I'm 100% sure I would easily be assessed for ADD... and I already manage it and cope with it for the most part.
What I am dealing with is a some transitions in my career (transitions have always been trouble for me)... and some family issues with my kids that have been completely overwhelming my bandwidth and I've been having trouble keeping myself centered. The coping strategies I've relied on in the past just don't seem to be cutting it. I've signed up for some local seminars for adults with ADD as a starter, but I think I need additional counseling.
I am completely frozen how to go about finding it.
I'm also up for a possible promotion which would greatly increase my need for better performance in interpersonal relationships. I've long struggled with this due to conditioning and my nature. I don't know if it's autism or not... Dr Google isn't a good doctor... I don't care what to call it. I have a good number of markers. I'm relatively high functioning by most standards, but there are lots of ways I'm a disaster. I can mask or adjust for a lot of them because my job affords me a lot of control over my setting. I know I need to look into it because my ability to network and interact with people (especially strangers) can be remedial. Also while reading all the latest and greatest research I find out that sexuality/gender are sometimes wrapped up in all of this and boy did that hit a little close to home.
So, how do I find someone? What do I look for? I first thought I should get an assessment, but then realized that maybe I should just get in a relationship with a doctor or counselor and let them decide whether I need the assessment and what that would accomplish. I really just want to get to where I can think clearly again.
The university I work near has a program, but they are booked up. They sent me a list of local providers, but I don't know how to decide which one I should use or what I should do. The actual assessment part doesn't matter to me so much as managing my mind; I'm having a heck of a time right now stilling it enough to think about work and the stuff I should be filling my day with.
That's the intro and the big question. Otherwise hello.
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