AIBU to find it incredibly frustrating that there are basically no resources in the UK for people like me?

[Maybeasd]

I’m genuinely starting to wonder whether I’m being unreasonable or whether this is just a massive blind spot in the UK.

I’m a woman, adult, functioning perfectly well in life for the most part, but I’m very cognitively able and have always been. I’ve been properly assessed and this a known entity (I was not born nor raised in the UK for context).

The issue is I’m finding that there are only pathways if you’re struggling but not if you’re just curious. I’m not only talking about the NHS, even privately I haven’t been able to find someone who hits the spot.

I’ve looked into:
ND assessments (very binary, very impairment-focused)
talk therapy - after years of it total waste of time and money.

People in the US suggested to find a neuropsychologist but they have eye-watering costs, mostly framed around brain injury or rehab

It’s either you’re ill or you’re fine, stop asking questions.

I’m not looking for validation, labels, or coping strategies.
I’m just trying to understand how my mind works, and it feels like that’s somehow illegitimate unless I’m suffering.

So… AIBU to find this incredibly annoying?

So you lack focus.

It sounds to me that you are proud of how gifted/exceptionally able you are and can't find anybody to help you understand why. Why not put your very able brain to good use and do a degree/MA/doctorate in the subject when you can research, become an expert and write about it yourself? There's obviously a gap in the market.

Shakespeare was extraordinary. Not because of his IQ (no idea whether that was high or not) but because of his achievements. He gave so much to society through his writing and has made a lasting impression.
Imagine, if he'd sat at home thinking about how special he was and never actually got round to doing anything.

Thats also worth thinking about. Why do you think?

I actually had a full scholarship for the engineering degree because I had the highest score in the entry exam (they used the College Board).

Is that you...
Dan?
Ben?
Melissa?
Rich?

Just 4 peeps I know who sound / act EXACTLY like you OP.

Go see your brain specialist if you think it will help. I reckon you'll probably just tell them they don't understand either.

Or stop navel gazing and put your exceptional mind to some good use.

Im sorry to say OP you really aren't as bright as you think 🤦‍♂️

…. What?

Walter?

Different name, same asshole 😅

I meant Walter Mitty. Re the offers from
MIT & LSE. I believe the OP is probably ND but they don’t appear to lack imagination.

What stands out for me is that your giftedness/ intellect seems to be the defining feature of your life. You're quite well-educated, have a partner and children, but don't say anything about your work. Do you have a fulfilling job, or is the problem actually that you haven't found a fulfilling role in life, and so you're defining yourself purely by your intellect rather than anything else?

She wants to know how her brain processes every single stimulus. No assessor is going to tell her that because nobody will be able to work out why one song makes her see shadows and another makes her post rubbish on Mumsnet.

Have you thought about your psychological/emotional processes rather than just in terms of labels/"giftedness"? I do wonder whether narcissism is part of the overall formulation - I'm not suggesting you have a full blown personality disorder but some of your responses struck me as consistently narcissistic. Narcissism is often underpinned by extremely fragile self esteem and insecurity. I was also curious by the jumping between different academic subjects which could indicate a poor sense of self. Essentially what I'm saying is there is a huge amount you could explore about yourself and how your mind has developed with a private psychotherapist, although it sounds like you look down on some of the professionals you have encountered so far so if this is a recurring tendency it might be a struggle. I hope this does not come across as offensive or rude, I'm a psychiatrist and really coming from a place of curiosity more than anything rather than attempting to diagnose you.

Of course! 🤦‍♂️

You say you understand the rules of engagement as constructs and the logic of them. That sounds like high level masking which is more common in female autistic people. You’re not reading social systems in the way that NT people do which is mostly subconscious and a learned instinct. You’re decoding them… masking (most likely - I’m not a psychiatrist).

This is such an entertaining thread.
The reason you won’t get it in the UK is because we are a smaller population and therefore have fewer people willing to pay for it, which in itself tells you something.
Also, if you are on the waiting list for ASD, why not spend some of that £3k and get it done privately?

At least not without slicing her head open and inserting probes!! 🤣

I only jumped once so to speak (when I dropped out from the engineering degree), the others were complementary .

I started my undergrad in sociology and about 12/18 months later I started my degree in linguistics.

I graduated from both, and then went on and studied my MSc in Sociology.

My father was similar, he was a lawyer and then studied philosophy.

I've seen multiple psychologists for many years. I actually never even remotely mentioned that I was gifted (didn’t think it was relevant at the time).

However I’ve always admitted is that I’m my #1 fan . It has never been flagged as an issue.

Were you ever referred to as an 'Indigo Child' by your parents. There was a glut of them on here 10 to 15 years ago, but it seems to have died out.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigo_children

One of my former colleagues developed the algorithm to calculate weight of potatoes to frozen chips and to reduce wastage.

He also calculated the thickness of “optimal” toilet paper. He was fascinating to talk to.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

If you’re genuinely as gifted and special as you claim, your unrelenting navel gazing is clearly holding you back because what have you actually achieved so far that could be attributed to you being extraordinary?

I mock him but at least Bogroll McChips has made a contribution!

Hmmm. Now I understand your disappointment that you can’t find the service you need to quench your curiosity.
Quite insufferable really.

Where I am any adult can self refer for NHS autism assessment, the (extensive!) form is available online.

Triage is fairly quick, but if you pass that the wait for the full assessment is years. They'll also want to interview your parents, or someone who knew you as a child for the assessment, which will be a huge barrier for some.

There are 100% loads of psychologists, psychiatrist and psychotherapists you can see. However they will want to help you understand why you’re obsessed with the why of you. And the won’t give you answers necessarily because there hasn’t been a massive study of…you.

I am 90% sure this is a massive wind up but well done for entertaining mumsnet for 16 pages (another achievement for your list).

God don’t bring that shit back!

Sorry. They were entertaining at the time though.