Categories: uncategorized
Date: 17 March 2008 22:09:48
I was fascinated to read fineline's observations regarding how difficult it is to be diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome as an adult. It was last November (or thereabouts) that I went to my GP and told him that I felt that I could identify with people who are classed as having Asperger's Syndrome. I suppose that I chose carefully which doctor in the practice to speak with, and he referred me to a psychiatrist. I think that it was January when I met with the psychiatrist, and he thought that it would be worthwhile for me to be referred to a specialist ASD unit in Edinburgh. He also recommended seeing a psychologist, who would start working with me using CBT which might help me with my tendency to become depressed.
I guess that having been hospitalised three times (I think), I can probably argue without too much fear of contradiction that there might be something wrong with me upstairs. The psychiatrist was inclined to think that my depression probably isn't linked to Asperger's, and it may well be helpful now to have each strand being considered separately (I spent much of this afternoon taking the minutes of a meeting where strands figured prominently). I don't know. The "Aha!" experience of reading about Asperger's Syndrome in "The Deafening Sound of Silent Tears" has diminished somewhat. I even wonder whether the intensity of my emotional reaction was more down to a sense of wonder at the description of a community where people were truly cared for - that subconsciously I wanted to buy into the world of the book - and that what I should really be seeking is to work out the idea of a loving Christian community.
I don't want to get bogged down in speculation, though. I have my first appointment at the specialist unit next month; we'll see what transpires ...