Autism or Traumatic Youth?

[Sherlock]

'evening

I'm not sure where to start, there is a lot I want to discuss and a lot that holds me back. The reason why I am posting here is because I need some advice, I need to know whether people will recognize my story. A year ago I have been diagnosed with High Functioning Autism, at the time I had great difficulties in the communication with those around me, I was not surprised I had autism... I thought it was pretty obvious.

In that year a lot has changed, I joined an internet forum on autism and discussed the problems I had with autism. Or so I thought... One of the problems I discussed (after a lot of talk about superficial problems) was the problems I had at home, with my parents, the problems I had at school with my peers, and the problems I had with random people on the street.

As long as I can remember I have been physically and emotionally abused by my parents, many times I thought they would kill me, I tried suicide myself once but failed. My peers at school joined when I was 6 and continued till I was 15, sometimes somebody I did not know decided to beat me up on street.

Do you think these problems could lead to behaviour that is autistic like? For years I have had a preoccupation with computers, but I don't believe this was in the autistic sense, I just used them as a way to escape from life, I actually was bored of them but had nothing else to do... I was and am quite quiet but I think I am just afraid of people, when I am at ease with people I have no problems communicating at all... Not much people I am at ease with, that I'll have to admit...

[becvan]

Welcome to the forum Sherlock.

I can't answer that as I'm not a doctor so I wouldn't know the symptoms of autism. There are buttons on the top of the page. Go to the forms button and take the tests there. I would see your doctor or a psych for evaluation if you believe that you have PTSD and not autism.

bec

[batgirl]

Hello Sherlock, I have autism myself, but I was diagnosed with it at age 4 and I had a happy childhood. My trauma occurred when I was 17, and I developed PTSD after that. It is possible to have both PTSD and autism, I certainly do. However the two disorders are very separate and different from each other, at least in my experience. You absolutely do not get autism from mistreatment; you are born with autism. I have always been different from other people, I process information and emotions differently than a neurotypical person. It has nothing to do with having been abused, as I was never abused. Some of the symptoms of autism and PTSD seem similar at first, there seem to be overlaps, but my opinion from experiencing both is the symptoms are actually pretty different.

For example, as an autistic, I do not avoid people because I am afraid of them. I simply do not have a need for socialization the way a neurotypical person does. It has nothing to do with anxiety; I just don't care about being social. And to be honest, that includes my family and people I feel comfortable with as well. I don't care to be social with them either. I am somewhat social, I have learned to be that way, but it's more for their sakes than my own. And regarding obsessions or special interests, it's not an escape for me as you mentioned. Just typical autistic behaviour.

Bec is right, you need to be evaluated or re-evaluated by a professional to see what's going for you. It's quite complicated to sift through the differences between the two disorders. Personally though, from my own experience having both, what you describe sounds more like anxiety over trauma than autism.

[Sherlock]

Thanks for the reply Batgirl,

I know mistreatment does not cause autism, however I do think I have emulated autism because of the way I was treated. Today I was cleaning up my room and I threw away many things that used to be of great importance to me because they had to do with my 'preoccupations' but in all honesty: I was bored by them but I was afraid to leave my room and communicate with people because I was afraid of them. In the last year I have overcome some of my fear and interacted with people more, I forgot all about my preoccupations... Same with avoiding eye contact.

I do agree with you and Bec that I do need re-evaluation. I am working on a letter to my psych explaining why I think I was misdiagnosed.

[She Cat]

Sherlock,


Welcome to the forum.....:hello:

[batgirl]

I do think I have emulated autism because of the way I was treated.

PTSD can "look" like autism in some respects, especially the avoidance and dissociative symptoms, if they are severe. Also people with PTSD can have sensory overload similar to those with autism.

In the last year I have overcome some of my fear and interacted with people more, I forgot all about my preoccupations... Same with avoiding eye contact.


Exactly, and that's why I suspect it's not really autism... people don't just stop autistic behaviours because they feel more comfortable. Even if someone works really hard on themselves to act more neurotypical they'll always be autistic, and most will always prefer being autistic; it's how our brains are wired.

Honestly I'm kind of surprised you were diagnosed with autism in the first place... it's pretty rare to be diagnosed as an adult. Most psychiatrists are really reluctant to make that diagnosis after a certain age, because the older you get, the more you engage in compensating behaviours which will complicate the diagnosis. I think you really should be evaluated, and preferably by someone other than the person who diagnosed you with autism in the first place.

Anyways, welcome to the forum, this is a really great place for PTSD, I hope you stick around!

[hollyberry]

welcome to the forum

[anthony]

Welcome to the forum.

[pandora]

Welcome to the forum.

[Sherlock]

Thanks. :occasion:

[Sherlock]

In two hours and 48 minutes I will go to my GP for the first time to discuss my problems. Haven't slept all night, I'm really stressed out... But I have some (slim) hope that I'll get some help soon.

[Sherlock]

No help. The psychopaths (the appropriate term if you ask me) wanted to discuss all with my parents... my parents even had to attend the meetings. They were the one who did this to me!! I can't believe this.... :eek:

It's some weeks ago now but I'm still shocked. There is no solution for my problems?? Were my parents right and am I just damned?

[veiled]

Sherlock, why would any of this have to be discussed with your parents or them want to?

[Sherlock]

Because I had suicidal thoughts the week before I went to my GP and I told my GP... apparently they wanted my parents to help me with it...

[becvan]

Sherlock, are you underage? The only way parents can be "brought' in or have information shared is if you gave consent or they are still legally responsible for you.

bec

[Sherlock]

No, I'm not underage. It's just wrong how they acted but health care in the Netherlands just doesn't seem to bother. I have a friend who was treated the same, even though she didn't even live with her parents any more. I just sent him (the psych) a 600 words email hoping they will get the picture now...