Thinking of going for an assesment for adult dyspraxia

mistykins2

I am in my mid forties now and truly, all my life, I have really really struggled with so many things, socially, mentally, physically. I am very happily married and in a good job, with our own house. I do have friends but it has taken me years to figure out how to really make friends and more importantly, keep them as friends. I can't drive and we have never had kids, for genetic reasons on both sides but deep down, on my part, its been a great fear that a child of my own would inherit my own 'quirks'.

I have battled with eating disorders all my life as well and of course, that has always been seen as the problem with me, by my family, doctors etc, whereas I have always felt that I have them because of not being able to cope with life generally because of not feeling literally right in my head, if that makes sense?

Anyway, what led me to thinking of dyspraxia was two of my friends have recently had children or close family members being sent for tests for dyspraxia and one friend said that she had been told that sometimes adults even get themselves tested, just to figure out if maybe they have had this all along. She showed me the checklist she had got for her own child (and also for adults) and it was like a light bulb going off in my own head, I could answer 'yes' to so many of the questions on co-ordination and motor skills functioning.

I suppose my question is - would I be better off leaving well alone and continuing as I am ore would getting a test and getting diagnosed as having dyspraxia or even slight dyspraxia give me a label and send me down into a spiral of depression? I am going with my gut on this and for some reason, I feel knowing one way or the other would help me, it would make sense of all the awfulness of my early years which still haunt me (and I have had a lot of counselling, which never really helped).

blatantrereg

It's reasonable to consider the possibility of having Asperger's and dyspraxia from what you have said. I would think in your case it would be a good idea to get tested because you feel that - whatever it is that you perceive in yourself - is causing you problems. Diagnosis would help gain insight into these problems for yourself and people close to you.

I know one person who was diagnosed with Asperger's as an adult and felt that the diagnosis helped him a great deal for these reasons.

I see no reason why being diagnosed might trigger depression. If people know your condition it might effect how they see you and treat you in some cases. If you wish to avoid that you can just not tell anybody who doesn't know you well enough that they shouldn't be influenced by preconceptions.

Taltos

OP sorry but this thread is borderline medical advice which we can't allow here. You have gone from self-diagnosing to asking if a medical diagnosis could trigger a bout of depression - all of which is too far into the grey zone that we just can't allow the thread to remain open.

Basically- find a good supportive GP and talk to them, bring your concerns and fears - make sure they are listening to you and hear what you say - not just trying to rush you out and ask them for their advice. With the best of intentions here due to the type of advice you are seeking we could all just lead you in the wrong direction.

Final word of caution - many of these online tests of 5 minute exams ring true for many of us - there are varying degrees and we are all on the scale somewhere, but the only way to get a diagnosis is to go and get it professionally done.

Thread closed - sorry
Taltos