Mental health Diagnosis

apache

Did having a mental health diagnosis confirmed by a Psychiatrist make you feel any better about things? Or maybe it made you feel worse?

I've had a few conflicting opinions. It just left me confused. I'm not so sure they know what they're at.

Hi Apache, I've been diagnosed as Autistic recently at 41 so hopefully I can layout my own take on it.

Personally, it's answered a lot of questions, but it's also led to plenty more, and almost a lot of 'what ifs' as I look back over my life. It's been a month or so since diagnosis - the more I look back over my life retrospectively, the more sense things make to me - especially with things that would have stressed me out, caused anxiety etc.

I also can't help but look back and think what if I was diagnosed earlier - what would be different? Everything I guess - I'm not sure I'd changed anything to be honest - I am who I am/what I am/where I am regardless of any diagnosis - have a good job, great family - I'm one of the lucky ones who has everything!!! If only I could shake off this bastarding depression/anxiety that's been following me around for most of my life.

As a by the way - I would never have even considered Autism if it wasn't for my daughter being diagnosed with same a few years back - as we were ticking the boxes during the assessments for her etc, I could have almost been talking about myself most of the time. Delighted in the end that I followed up - it's given me a path to follow at the very least!

corner of hells

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117829671#Comment_117829671

Good luck, your last paragraph is lovely.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117829671#Comment_117829671

Do you do anything now to manage the autism? Therapy, Medication?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117829788#Comment_117829788

Yeah, I’m taking 100mg Sertreline daily and have mirtazipine to help sleep at times. It took a few different meds until the current one but it’s working well for me.

I will absolutely get some counselling down the line, I have a recommendation for someone who I’ll apparently get along very well with, just waiting for the right time I guess!

apache

Thanks for sharing Midleton Thai. I hope you get a good therapist. I've been going to the same counselor for years and it's definitely helped me a lot and has made me a better person.

I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow. I'm upset and confused with the two different diagnosis and I'm going to ask him if I can read the two different reports. Do you think he will allow this? Can I access it under the freedom of information act?

No problem at all!

I don't see why your gp wouldn't give you access to the reports - it's your information after all. Just be sure you're in the right place when you read them - from reading my own, the language can appear very cold and is obviously clinical in nature so it can be very easy to take things up the wrong way!

Good luck to you!

poisonated

I have OCD and my psychiatrist told me that I have aspergers. When I was a teenager, I was diagnosed with OCD and it all made sense to me. I have been through years of therapy and some days I think that it’s not worth carrying on. There is no cure for OCD or in fact any mental illness. I struggle to survive sometimes. However, I am one of the lucky ones because, due to the fact I was diagnosed With Ocd, I can take medication and go through hours of CBT. I have to understand that there are those who need to rely on the shambolic public health system and some that wait a long long time for a diagnosis if they accept that there is something wrong. In my ocd support group, there are people who can’t work or lead productive lives due to the fact they are spending hours doing their compulsions.

apache

I've been referred back to the public system after spending years and money on private. I am also confused and upset at this. I will get to the bottom of it hopefully tomorrow.

I think the main reason I have been referred back to public is because of my addiction issues. I am clean now 5 weeks.