Suspected Austism or personality disorder

[dave1968]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and not posted before.

I'm after some possible advice, as I've suffered with depression and anxiety most of my adult life and come to the conclusion that it maybe down to an underlying personality disorder or maybe austism.

I saw on BBC television a few months back a programme on austism and can relate to quite a few traits, particularly not being great socially and with conversation. I also suffer from bouts of going into melt down when fustrated and flustered.

I have an appointment with my GP in a few weeks with a view to being referred for a formal assessment for being on the austism spectrum. I have been asked to complete a questionaire giving details of austistic traits especially through childhood.

I am struggling to think of anything obvious apart from I was quiet as a kid, struggled to engage in conversation and bullied alot at school. If it helps this is my background some of the things which have affected my during my life to cause depression and anxiety during childhood and my adult years.

Struggle to form relationships, been single pretty much most of my life and longest relationships was 18 months on and off.

In later life, past 10 years or so struggle to develope and form new friendships.

Currently I am single and in addition don't have anyone I can call a best friend.

I've had many friendships and best friends up to around the age of fourty, but most have lead to me ending the friendship for various reasons. This being a good example of black or white thinking as in I struggle when falling out with others in that I don't see many things as resolveable.

I easily get upset and flustered when interupted and in the middle of something.

Bullied as a child at school by various pupils.

Would be very quiet and found it hard to know how to engage in conversation during my high school years.

Attempted suicide a couple of times during my life, once in my twenties the other in my late thirties.

I take the breakup of relationships very badly of which there have been around 10 or so.

During my teens I spent alot of time hidden away in my bedroom battling with depression.

I would love to discover if I have some disorder or on the austic spectrum as it would help explain alot of things that have blighted my life and hope someone can give me advice or if they've suffered in a similar way.

Many thanks

Dave

[adamjonuk]

Hi

I have only just joined - so only just read your post - 1st let me say this is the situation I am in so can relate to what you say.

I have been diagnosed with personality disorders for 3 years now ( am 45 now ) and have recently started the process of Autism diagnosis. The 1st step will be simple 10 question form by your GP - then in my area he had to apply for special funding to get a referral for full diagnostics. This is a slow process and am am yet to get the definative answer ( 9 months from GP appt)

The issue is as you hint the crossover between personality disorders and autism - there are many similar things that are making it hard to decide. I would also get a referral to the Mental Health team if I was you - they will help see if you have personality disorders and may help you feel like you can make sense of someone the issues you are having.

I am far from medically trained - but you do describe most of the symptoms and signs that I went to the Mental Health Practitioner with so they are valid and please dont ever feel alone.

Good luck and let me know if I can help or advise further as it seems I am 1 step ahead of you in the process.

[capitalt]

Rings bells with me though I've no diagnosis.
I'm now 60, failed marriage and LTR, financial nightmare, crazy ideas, now alone, have been for ages.
Good luck.

[dave1968]

Hi

I have only just joined - so only just read your post - 1st let me say this is the situation I am in so can relate to what you say.

I have been diagnosed with personality disorders for 3 years now ( am 45 now ) and have recently started the process of Autism diagnosis. The 1st step will be simple 10 question form by your GP - then in my area he had to apply for special funding to get a referral for full diagnostics. This is a slow process and am am yet to get the definative answer ( 9 months from GP appt)

The issue is as you hint the crossover between personality disorders and autism - there are many similar things that are making it hard to decide. I would also get a referral to the Mental Health team if I was you - they will help see if you have personality disorders and may help you feel like you can make sense of someone the issues you are having.

I am far from medically trained - but you do describe most of the symptoms and signs that I went to the Mental Health Practitioner with so they are valid and please dont ever feel alone.

Good luck and let me know if I can help or advise further as it seems I am 1 step ahead of you in the process.

Hi Adam

Firstly apologises for not replying sooner, it was my intention to but thought I'd wait until the results of my austism assessment.

After numerous tests over many months and finally a formal austism assessment at my local hospital's mental health unit I have been diagnosised as having higher functioning austism, aspergers syndrome.

I was pleased with the result and still am to this day as it helps explain things. It confirms I am different especially in my thinking but I don't try to beat myself up about it. There are times since that I struggle but I am now more aware of triggers and what to look for.

My close family and friends know, as do my work colleagues and they have been very supportive and understanding.

After being given by the Austism Spectrum Assessment Service my results in the form of a report I was also given details of various local groups to contact plus advised of books to read on the subject.

Over christmas I have borrowed four books from my local library and found them to be useful and on my last book to finish off. Prior to the festive period I tried contacting a few local support groups without success as I now wish to meet others diagnosed with the condition.

I will say that one of the main things that struck me going through the assessment process was learning about black and white thinking. This has affected me alot during my life in that things are either right or wrong and caused me problems with relationships and freindships. I hope this is one of the areas I get better at understanding and coping with and feel I am on the start of a journey now.

I do hope you're well Adam and that you have found a favourable outcome from your assessement process in the hope it give you some kind of peace of mind and clarity.

If I can help in anyway let me know, I hope to make more effort in getting back to you more promptly.

All the very best, take care.

Dave

[dave1968]

Rings bells with me though I've no diagnosis.
I'm now 60, failed marriage and LTR, financial nightmare, crazy ideas, now alone, have been for ages.
Good luck.

Hi Capitalt

Really sorry I haven't got back to you sooner.

I'm not sure from your comments what condition if anything you suspect you may suffer from but if you haven't already done so the first point of contact would be to see your GP and discuss things with them.

There is also alot of material on the internet especially the NHS wesbite regarding different mental health conditions but as I have found it is not easy to narrow down or come to any conclusion as when I when down path of researching my possible causes I seem to suffer traits from many differing conditions.

I hope you find some answers and wish you well.

Regards

Dave