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?

I actually just started looking into that Glasgow has a whole department around it (and a very good hyperphantasia test online).

I still haven’t found the venn diagram of gifted + hyperphantasia + ND

I run different tests myself with different songs and it’s fascinating but I still think I need some professional guidance to make proper connections rather than “my amateur hunch”.

Pps have suggested you comtact universities to research youthat might be what you need,

Those who are actually in desperate need of help are struggling to get it. If you're happy,, well and functioning, what exactly is your issue?

No, I actually don’t see it as deficit (and didn’t see it that way) until I started hanging out in the autism related Reddit subs and FB groups.

Many people were quite angry at me, because I said I had no impairment, was thriving, and saw my brain as a positive experience.

Up to that day I definitely thought there was a strong possibility I was what’s is called twice exceptional.

the other thing is that most of my social behaviours have a logical explanation rooted in my own personal preference / choices.

It's really unclear from your post what you want or need support with? Are you seeking a diagnosis for a neurodivergence? Are you seeking a diagnosis for a mental health issue? Are you just wanting to understand how your brain works?

If you take this away from your mind and say think about what you'd seek for understanding how any other part of your body works, you'll find the same. If you have an impairment, a long-term issue, an injury, you'll find support and advice from the NHS. If you just want to keep things ticking along and learn more, you'll have to pay through the nose because you don't NEED it, you just WANT it.

You don’t have to have an issue to try to find answers, that’s extremely reductive.

I think I know what you're looking for.
These guys will give you a full cognitive profile as well as checking you over for ADHD and Autism.
They'll have a long chat with you about it and write you a detailed report with links for further reading.
It isn't cheap but it's certainly thorough.

Well, are you talking about navel gazing or offering a contribution to science?

This might be a route you need to go down, the university of glasgow offer various testing i think, also with neurodiversity one size doesn't fit all and you may never find the answers,

I just want to understand how my brain works and I’m happy to pay, but even when trying to assess fit with private clinics their experience / awareness of gifted individuals is low. I do need to have some experience with it as it’s a known entity.

I could be autistic, but why ignore the effect the of a highly cognitive brain when that has been properly assessed and it’s a known entity unlike the potential autism?

I hope you aren’t suggesting that people with Autism Spectrum Conditions can’t have a highly cognitive brain. Because there are a lot of very bright and talented people who would prove you wrong.

Could MENSA help? I don't know if they are only interested in 'straight high IQ' types though?

I just googled private neuropsychology assessment UK and there's plenty of places to try. It's not a matter of resources, it's never been easier for people to research from their desk and find the right service for them either locally or remotely anywhere in the world. But we all have our own mixes of gifts, quirks and ways of thinking which aren't of interest to professionals unless they get beyond the NT range or really need help. Absolutely no one is going to be fascinated with your mind the way you (and your DH) are unless you're paying substantially for their time and expertise - or on the off-chance that you fall within their research project - so as long as you're prepared to commit a fair amount of your own money and time to this, there's plenty of opportunity to delve deeper.

Thanks I’ve sent them an email!

No I’m not… there’s actually a type called “twice exceptional”.

You make it seem as though you are a passive puppet to this unknown brain. But it's your brain, you are navigating life with it well and with robust levels of self esteem. What makes you think that somebody else, who doesn't have your brain, would have more insight than you do?

What do you mean by “it’s a known entity”? You have said this a couple of times. What is? What entity?

Yes , there’s plenty of them but they all focus on rehabilitation, injury, dementia, etc….

only one mentions high cognitive ability (and I’ve given them a call and left a message).

I know what you mean, OP. I'm hypersarcastic and there are no resources available for special people like me.

Apart from Mumsnet.

We should be friends

Well it would be cool to know why some triggers work and why other don’t, I would
find that fascinating

What social behaviours?

And what does 'very cognitively able ' actually mean?

I was a member of my local MENSA but I found them very good at the meeting other similar people and giving resources to reach our potential, but not necessarily to understand why we are (and behave) the way we do. At least that was my experience.

If you’re so exceptional (twice exceptional, indeed) I’m not sure why you can’t study the brain yourself and find out what you are so desperate to know.

There are plenty of neuroscience of similar courses at universities.

But this is not a “service” that will just be provided to you, whether you pay or not.

Mental health services are incredibly stretched in the UK. People who are really struggling cannot access the help and support they need.

As you are thriving, I’m really not sure what you are expecting others to do for you.

Just look up a course that interests you and study it.

Or are you suggesting that places should be hounding you, desperate to study your brain as it’s so exceptional, and “a known entity” (whatever you mean by that)?

Oh no 😂