"If you were on the spectrum, you'd know it" ???

[CMZ]

The first time I met with my new psychiatrist, she responded positively to my questions about ASD diagnosis and support. She said she would look into finding resources for me. When I asked about ASD evaluation and support during our second appointment, she dismissed me. She said there was no way I could be on the spectrum because if I were, I would have been diagnosed as a child, there was no way I could have "gotten this far" if I were actually on the spectrum. I said that what I had been reading indicated otherwise, and she cited her degrees and profession and said, "I can't account for what you find on Google."
When all the "support" I get is like this psychiatrist, I feel stupid for even trying to get help.

Thanks for letting me vent.

No professional psychiatrist should respond like that and you are not stupid for trying to get help. A good doctor will like it when a patient does their own research.

 

[Ragnahawk]

She's an idiot. Just wait here till lots of people turn up and agree.

@Fridgemagnetman you rang?

I agree, she's an idiot.
I wasn't diagnosed till age 29 precisely because I'd "gotten this far" so earlier psychologists never considered ASD.

I would recommend a change of words. Calling someone a label can process as a limitation such as I can be nothing greater than an idiot.

Now saying that she is a acting like a idiot would be more preferrable. This establishes that the person still can not act like an idiot if she were to choose to do so.

 

[Ragnahawk]

Since you imply you are stuck with the professionals who belong to your insurance, I wonder if you completed the RAADS-R test online and brought them the printed out copy (including your answers and the scoring) if that might get them to rethink things. Don't know. The downside is you're stuck with professionals who don't have the expertise you need. Sounds like you are seeking a diagnosis so you can hopefully get more support from family and friends. Would they be willing to read some of the stuff from this forum? Or even join? Anyway, you can get lots of support here.

https://www.researchgate.net/public...rger's_Disorder_in_Adults_RAADS_A_Pilot_Study

Found a link for research. Never hurts to learn.

 

[Ylva]

Ask her if she has a colleague who actually has a clue. Go to that person instead. You can mention that you know a bunch of people who were diagnosed as adults – no need to mention that you found us "on Google".

 

[the_tortoise]

There are a lot of reasons a person with an ASD could go without being diagnosed in childhood, even if their symptoms were painfully obvious and they never flew under the radar.....

Things don't always work out in an ideal or straighforward way, there are a lot of variables that influence access to medical care and the quality of medical care received, and a psychiatrist (or any clinician trying to understand the history and current situation of a person they are assessing) should know better than to assume that if something could/should have been diagnosed at an earlier time, it would have been.....that's some pretty terrible reasoning.

 

[Gracey]

“If you had autism you’d know it”
Well you do, don’t you? Know it I mean?

Perhaps her limited knowledge has just been shaken up by your presentation ?
You’re not what she was expecting?

If I drop autism into a conversatIon, folk expect Forrest Gump or Rain Man, ask your shrink what she knows specifically about the spectrum.

Take any research, tests, official classifications and life long examples/situations to back you up. Plenty of evidence.

Don’t presume she’s correct just because she dropped in her qualifications to beat you back.
Yes, you do know what you’re talking about and experiencing.
Don’t need to attend uni to know how you’ve lived your life thus far.

 

[Alis1998]

She couldnt be more wrong. Saying that you are bassicly "fine" is not an option. Did she even gave you any test? any sort of evidence revieling proof that says you are or arent autistic?

God what an idiot.
This kind of people make my blood boil out of anger. Ofcourse you could have something else, but that doesnt mean she doesnt need to do any kind of testing!

This reminds me of a woman wich name I would not say for private reasons.
I was in treatment for social skills at the autistic centrum (it is litterlay called that). Bassicly at the end of 3 convo's she told me I was misdiagnosed. That I am a great example of a kid who was "just shy" and that type of nonesense. My regular therapist was schocked, knowing that it wasnt my fault that Iknow how social interraction works.
But jeez, I wanted to rip off that lady's head.

 

[pax]

@Fridgemagnetman you rang?

I agree, she's an idiot.
I wasn't diagnosed till age 29 precisely because I'd "gotten this far" so earlier psychologists never considered ASD.

I was 39.
I suspect my parents suspected , but as has been said, aspergers wasn't a diagnosis back then. I vaguely remember being tested as a child with those visual/ spatial tests and such eg "which squiggly line is longer" which monkey is bigger etc; and the tester telling my mum I was misbehaving & wasnt trying because I wanted to apply logic rather than guessing.

I was told at 39 by a counsellor and a GP that I couldn't possibly have it, and spent an hour or so with a psychiatrist who was convinced I did; and that I wasn't actually on the high end of the spectrum either; I just had an above average IQ and had learned to hide it. Unfortunatly he didn't give me any coping strategies I didn't already have, and his solution was to try to push Rispiridone onto me. No thanks.

 

[WereBear]

So you think if you had an official diagnosis family and friends would be more understanding?

If that was your reason and you went through a couple of circles of heck and your family still didn’t get it... would that be worse?

My insurance told me to get the diagnosis and then they refused to pay for it. I thought I would get work protections. But I don’t. I thought medical science would be able to help me. Wrong again.

It might be cheaper and easier to see if Aspie Strategies work for you. Then, use them.

 

[pax]

So you think if you had an official diagnosis family and friends would be more understanding?

If that was your reason and you went through a couple of circles of heck and your family still didn’t get it... would that be worse?

My insurance told me to get the diagnosis and then they refused to pay for it. I thought I would get work protections. But I don’t. I thought medical science would be able to help me. Wrong again.

It might be cheaper and easier to see if Aspie Strategies work for you. Then, use them.

What are Aspie strategies?
Asking because my experience was..disappointing....(several circles of heck, family doesn't get it, stigma, no help from science or workplaces) and flying by the seat of my pants gets exhausting.

 

[Adora]

This doctor sounds very ignorant and also a bit arrogant,definitely stop seeing her and go somewhere else,when I went to see a Clinical psychologist it was for my anxiety and issues with trauma since during that time they were affecting my life,I went to see her and she did notice my trauma but she also noticed other things including my lack of eye contact,it wasn’t until a few sessions later she told me that I’m on the spectrum and I further found out a few of her clients were on the spectrum aswell,she also told me my type of PTSD was actually complex PTSD due to the ongoing emotional and psychological abuse I endure from my dad and also the bullying and not having a secure home which resulted in endless evictions and even living on top of a pub,it was amazing that my psychologist was able to separate my trauma and still see the other characteristics and I definitely know that there isn’t many doctors who could do that or are up to date with how Aspergers can look different in women but I think that the doctor you saw was one of those who knowledge of the spectrum is very outdated and to say that you would know if you were on the spectrum is rude and very unprofessional.

 

[WereBear]

When I found out, I was able to:

• Switch my job to something with no customer contact
• Wear earbuds at work to control external input
• Was able to get 2 days a week working at home
• Figuring out that “destressing” meant very low input and lots of rest
• Pick up the warning signs that I am getting overloaded and take steps before things get worse
• Got a weighted blanket and Brainwaves apps to help me sleep

 

[WereBear]

Also, see if your insurance can cover a cognitive behavior therapist. They are all about strategies, and you might find them more useful.

 

[Crossbreed]

@Ames ,

1. Unless it is necessary for a co-morbid condition, you do not need an on-going psychiatrist. Arguably, you need a [neuro-]psychiatrist for an official diagnosis, but basic autism requires no drug intervention.
2. The benefit of a counselor/psychologist is to help you come to terms with your autism and cope in an NT world.* Many child-oriented counselors will take adult patients.

If you are in the USA, these two groups can help you find a qualified counselor,

• The Autism Society of America
• US Autism & Asperger Association

An ASD specialist won't give you a false positive diagnosis, but, at least, they acknowledge that such an animal exists. Also, if you are gifted, too, it will often mask ASD and ASD will mask giftedness. That condition is known as twice exceptional or 2E.

*Just like teaching a left-hander to do things better with their left hand, rather than trying to retrain them to do everything with their "right" hand.

 

[OkRad]

She's an idiot. Just wait here till lots of people turn up and agree.

I did not know if I should hit laugh or agree because I am laughing AND agreeing. OH YEAH, wait till others come on and agree!!!

 

[OkRad]

I am going to a shrink to see about brain stimulation. If the brain is involved (like loboty , ect, etc.......) you need a shrink.

 

[isthisreallife]

People with ASD were/are diagnosed with the information available at the time. Professionals used to say girls couldn't have Autism, hence girls being diagnosed when they are NOT children, like me. This lady seems a bit arrogant to me.

 

[WereBear]

twice exceptional or 2E

Hmmm. Sounds like me. I was seen as gifted, and that explained any odd behaviors I had.

 

[Origins]

The psychiatrist probably is still in the old school psychology paradigm. Talk about psychoanalysis and the former DSM. My psychology professor once told me that I was more likely physically abused by my parents, which resulted to my extreme shyness and introversion. But that wasnt really the case. Years later, i realized i have aspergers.

Ask for a referral for a neurodevelopmental doctor, you dont have to be in a hurry. Whats important is that you get to talk to the right person about your symptoms.

 

[Tcx]

Logically anyone won't know anything if he/she/they doesn't been taught or given a specific information. Her statement is totally beyond understanding. Seriously why would she even say that to you? What's her purpose?