Thoughts on ASD/ADHD and clinical work

[PsychNLife]

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Eventually, I’d like to get involved in some clinical role, be it in a inpatient hospital or group practice or some other setting.

I really love learning about people’s thought processes, how various experiences have shaped their thinking, and gaining insights into their emotional landscapes. I think I’d also really like explaining behavioral patterns, seeing how interpersonal relationship function, and all of that jazz. I’d like to help people problem solve, and unpack their complicated traumas. Of course I like helping people, but clinical psych, with it’s specifically emotional-social-behavioral roots seems to be the most fascinating Big Black Box AS WELL as improving peoples lives.

However, I do have a combination of ADHD (diagnosed) and ASD (“high functioning” and not diagnosed but quite noticeable traits). I am not great at eye contact, I have to really be paying attention to my body language and social norms because they don’t come naturally to me, and sometimes I just say the wrong or “too blunt” thing. I have trouble with active listening sometimes, and have some memory issues, sometimes trouble displaying the right amount of empathy.

do you all think that someone like me is doomed to be a **** clinician ? Should I just accept my interpersonal faults and not do that type of work ? I have been slightly involved in psych research, but I have found it tedious and not super engaging (though I’m mostly stuck with RA grunt work).

 

[ReciproGal]

I met a psychologist with ASD at a conference once. ASD symptoms aside, the person was brilliant and more than capable. Sounds like you are mindful of yourself and your own strengths and weaknesses, and this type of insight is often lacking in non-ASD clinicians anyway! You are your own worse enemy. There will be challenges but I say go for it.

My personal theory is that people with ASD are the evolved branch of the human species. I wish human beings were less emotional and relied less on socialization... I have truly come to value bluntness as it removes the facade of formality.

Cheers!

 

[psych.meout]

 

[clausewitz2]

How many mental health clinicians of any kind have you spent any time talking to? There are some seriously weird folks out there.

More seriously, sometimes high-functioning people on the spectrum make the most observant clinicians because a life time of having to brute force an understanding of the behavior of others means they have a habit of being quite analytical about interactions in a way neurotypical people are often not.

And again, if you are lucky enough to have ADHD and find cinical material intrinsically interesting you have a leg up in maintaining unwavering focus and self-directed learning over those whose attention might be deployed more flexibly. Not a terrible idea to see if stimulants work out if it is more of a problem than a help. Of course I would say that as a filthy script-slinger though, wouldn't I?

It is also possible of course that you come across to people as a very awkward space cadet. You should ask people who actually know you.

 

[psych.meout]