Where I am Now

In the past few weeks, I've seen my new psychiatrist and my new therapist, and I've set up my next ketamine session.

The only thing of note in regards to my psychiatrist is that when I told him about my experience off Strattera, he diagnosed me with ADHD. "Really?" I asked.

"Yes," he replied. "In fact, the fact that you respond to Strattera at all is very strong evidence that you have it." Interestingly enough, Mark, the autistic co-worker who advised me to contact my old psychiatrist for a refill while I waited to see my new psychiatrist for the first time, told me I have ADHD when I told him what had happened.

When I was 9, some psychiatrist diagnosed me with ADD and prescribed me Ritalin, which didn't work. My mom simply didn't think I had it, though, because I'd focus intently on things that interested me, an autistic trait as a matter of fact.

Well, the psychiatrist who diagnosed me back then sent to some other psychiatrist for further evaluation, and she quickly diagnosed me with Asperger's Syndrome, which, in the United States, has been lumped with everything that's considered autistic. When she told my mom it was a form of autism, she said, "I knew it!" because of her own independent research. Apparently, no one considered the possibility that I could have autism and AD(H)D!

I've seen my new therapist three or four times so far. She was Kerry's mentor actually. She's read my autobiography and two short essays I wrote at Kerry's suggestion when I was still seeing her, an essay on my mind and one about lessons I've learned from life. We're currently focusing on what purpose I might find in life. She thinks it'll be related to writing as she says I'm fantastic at it.

I've also finally set up my next ketamine session at some place in Palo Alto in early March.