Ptsd, Dissociation Or Aspergers?

[digger]

Can I ask how old you are and how soon you will be going to Uni and which country you are in?

 

[thedarkestrose]

I'm in Wales, and I am 18, although I don't act like it... I will be in Uni in 9 months and am going to share a flat with my best friend so he can help me with the stuff I struggle with.

And I was thinking the same thing, but I was also thinking that I can't get help with work as I would if I had Aspergers, and the type of help I need is the same. I get confused a lot with work that we are given, to the point where my friend is learning my classes too, just to help me pass the exams. If it gets explained in a different way, like explaining to a younger child, then I can grasp it.

I also have other traits like flapping my hands and rocking, and I have an obsession with crimes (like serial killers. Good thing to admit on the internet). I also have issues with understanding emotions in voices and don't really get sarcasm. I guess that because of how I was brought up, I was forced to act and speak a certain way so I got better at hiding stuff I didn't get. I mostly just follow the lead :/

 

[digger]

It probably wouldn't do any harm to get assessed for Aspergers if you can access assessment (services are very hit and miss especially for adults), but I have noticed that there are lot of things shared between Aspie symptoms/traits and PTSD ones.

If you are 18 you are an adult and no-one can get back to your parents without your consent.

 

[thedarkestrose]

Yeah, but there is also the "will inform your parents if you intend to harm yourself or others" bit which is going to land me in it if I get into a bad way again :/ I just don't trust them any more. But next year I'm going to get assessed for various things so I can get help, whether my parents like it or not :/

And that was why I was wondering. I can no longer tell if this is one problem or the other, but if it's just a word that's on a piece of paper that will get me help to progress in life, then I don't really care whether it is PTSD or Aspergers.. I just need the help. It's my final year in college.

 

[digger]

but there is also the "will inform your parents if you intend to harm yourself or others" bit <<if you go through college services yes, but getting a GP to refer you is also an option. Counsellors/therapists etc can breach confidentiality if they think you are a danger to yourself or others, but as an adult this would not have to involve your parents and unless you are suicidal it is unlikely.

I understand your reasoning behind waiting till you are at Uni but wondering if counselling at least in the meantime might be helpful? Have you looked into what you will have to do to get referred for assessment once you do leave home?

 

[thedarkestrose]

I know that for Aspergers you need to be referred to a specialist by the GP, and then they will diagnose you, but with PTSD, I don't know what to do. If I go to the GP, they will only prescribe medication and send you on your way (seriously, they gave me, suicidal at the time, a month's worth of pills and sent me home.)

I also don't think they will take me seriously because when I was a child I went in for a load of bogus complaints just to get me out of school. It wasn't the best idea, but I just wanted out of my school so badly... Now it's screwed up my chance of getting help.

 

[thedarkestrose]

Also, it doesn't apply to adult services? I never knew that! Huh :)

 

[Abstract]

I agree that getting it all assessed is the best way to go as it isn't always obvious which it is. I agree with digger too that PTSD can be confused with aspergers . Some people have both.

What you want is to get an accurate diagnoses. That is the way you will get support that will help you. Being diagnosed with one thing when you are struggling with something else is unlikely to help you. That's one of the things that concerns with what you are saying. I understand why you would rather have a Aspy diagnoses but if you don't have it then the help you get is unlikely to help you. It could also make it more difficult to get a correct diagnoses later.

I don't think I would go in saying that I think I may have PTSD. I would probably concentrate on the problems with school and saying that nothing is helping and that you can tell that something isn't quite right. I would also mention the depersonalisation symptoms you describe and the concentration issues as well as general distress and panic attacks and then say it is confusing and would it be possible to be properly assessed.

You just need enough for the dr to not be sure they can diagnose it and enough for them to realise there is enough effect on your life for something to be needed.

What is most important is to lay it all out there when you get to a psychiatrist. Don't try to diagnose yourself and just list off your symptoms and experiences.

I do understand why you want to avoid your parents knowing anything. If you can find some way of getting some support sooner then that would be better even if it is limited.

Can you get a different dr that isn't going to have preconceived ideas about you?

 

[digger]

You can ask your GP for a referral to IAPT (as far as I know that service is available in Wales as well- Google it and see what services are available in your area as it's another one of these postcode hit and miss things. In some areas you can actually refer yourself)

With regard to ASD assessment, I haven't looked into it for a while but it can be quite a lengthy process for children and for adults, services can be limited in some areas. For some parts of the process they do prefer I think to speak to people who know you as well, but if you don't want your family involved you don't have to.

 

[digger]

Ah sorry, actually it looks like IAPT might be an England only thing.

 

[thedarkestrose]

I agree with what Abstract is saying. I don't want to just swan in and declare I have something which may or may not be correct... I was planning on finding another in any case, but since I am disappearing to England for University I would rather just make use of the services over there. Surely doctors in another country wouldn't feel the same about me :P

And I know of some psych help places nearby, but I'm sure they cost if you aren't referred by your GP... I have emailed them in any case and now I am just awaiting a reply :/ I'm a bit scared...

Do you ever feel like you can't have something because other people have it and it's worse? I kinda feel like that...

 

[digger]

Some charities offer counselling services and some private counsellors offer a sliding scale for payment so it's always worth asking. Hope you manage to sort something out :)