And knowing is half the battle

Petra (who needs to blog) diagnosed me as an Aspie. And then I took like 3 or 4 Asberger’s/Autism tests, and I scored pretty stinking high on all of them as being on the spectrum. I also tested likely to be dyslexic and something else with a similar d name that I can’t remember and can’t be bothered to search my email for. She also diagnosed Jamie with Asberger’s, and Jamie took the tests too and self-diagnosed. What have I done with that? Not much besides mentioning it to our therapists, and I wasn’t really able to convince any of them. But all that said, it explains some things beyond just being introverts.

I had a session with my therapist last week, and I ended up telling her the one thing I haven’t ever told anybody. I really hadn’t planned on dropping that little skeleton to her, but it came out. And I didn’t even have a meltdown in the process, though I think my tear ducts are broken. 😉 Anyway, after talking though the whole situation, she told me that I seemed to have a kind of survivor’s guilt even though I was not one of the victims. Just collateral damage.

Not being one to just sit on that, I looked up survivor’s guilt and it is a facet of PTSD. Then the lightbulb turned on, and it was as if all the pieces finally fit together as to what the heck is wrong with my head. It’s no longer “What the heck is wrong with me?” Now I know. Now I understand. Finally. This is why I either overreact or shutdown. This is why I bounce wildly between high and low and angry. This is why my fight or flight is so extreme with flight being default. This is why I am such a control freak.

But knowing is half the battle. Now that I know the why, I have a long road ahead of continuing to process and let go of what wasn’t mine to being with and own what is mine.

serenityzz11

5 Responses to 'And knowing is half the battle'

  1. Petra says:

    I should start typing my name, Petra Carden, MD. 😉

    And I know I need to blog. I have writer’s block. It sucks.

    And I’m glad you are figuring things out!!! That’s a huge step toward recovery. <3

    • DragonLady says:

      You should add nutritionist too. 😉

      Remember when we did the writing prompts? lol

      And it’s been a long road to this point. 😉

  2. Petra says:

    I came across that writing prompt website the other day! LOL

  3. Brenda says:

    I’m here for you friend. P.S. Thanks for the kind words from when Kevin passed. I don’t always read your blog but for some reason tonight, I’ve skimmed thru several postings. You are way deeper than most of us! Glad you found an outlet.