Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Looking for advice and experiences for Getting Mental Health Diagnosis as Visually Impaired. (self.Blind)
submitted by UpsideDownwardSpiral
Hi r/blind ,
As the title says, I am looking for information about getting mental health help and diagnosis for the first time as an adult who recently lost most of my vision.
I have been neglecting and ignoring my mental health issues for as long as I can remember, which often times meant self medicating with drugs and alcohol just to function. I have always known that I had issues that a lot of people don't deal with, but haven't ever really known how to get help beyond telling my doctor who would end up prescribing anti depressants and telling me to find couseling or therapy through my insurance- which was overwhelming and I could never follow through with it.
That brings me to this year, at 35 years old I ended up with health issues that caused me to lose a lot of vision before it was treated- and is fortunately not expected to get better or worse (optic nerve damage).
This has obviously been difficult to deal with, especially on top of my other undiagnosed issues, and the new stresses of covid that we are all dealing with.
At this point I realize that I absolutely have to get some help so I can better deal with my new disability.
I have a strong suspicion that I am on the spectrum, and have some kind of learning disability, which will greatly affect my ability to learn different skills to be able to find a new career. I have always only worked in skilled labor positions because I have difficulty when I have can't move around and work with my hands. For the past 18 years I have been a chef, which has given me the most success that I have found in my life. Technology and office style work is very hard for me, but I'm hoping to be able to get help to be able to do something like this.
I know that this has been fairly long, but thanks for reading if you have stuck in there.
Has anyone had experience getting mental help for the first time as a visually impaired adult? Or anyone with Advice? The Visual help complicated things because of transportation issues, and still trying to figure out how to get benefits since I have had to give up my precious culinary career. FYI, I have had a visual field/low vision evaluation and I am considered legally blind.
As the title says, I am looking for information about getting mental health help and diagnosis for the first time as an adult who recently lost most of my vision.
I have been neglecting and ignoring my mental health issues for as long as I can remember, which often times meant self medicating with drugs and alcohol just to function. I have always known that I had issues that a lot of people don't deal with, but haven't ever really known how to get help beyond telling my doctor who would end up prescribing anti depressants and telling me to find couseling or therapy through my insurance- which was overwhelming and I could never follow through with it.
That brings me to this year, at 35 years old I ended up with health issues that caused me to lose a lot of vision before it was treated- and is fortunately not expected to get better or worse (optic nerve damage).
This has obviously been difficult to deal with, especially on top of my other undiagnosed issues, and the new stresses of covid that we are all dealing with.
At this point I realize that I absolutely have to get some help so I can better deal with my new disability.
I have a strong suspicion that I am on the spectrum, and have some kind of learning disability, which will greatly affect my ability to learn different skills to be able to find a new career. I have always only worked in skilled labor positions because I have difficulty when I have can't move around and work with my hands. For the past 18 years I have been a chef, which has given me the most success that I have found in my life. Technology and office style work is very hard for me, but I'm hoping to be able to get help to be able to do something like this.
I know that this has been fairly long, but thanks for reading if you have stuck in there.
Has anyone had experience getting mental help for the first time as a visually impaired adult? Or anyone with Advice? The Visual help complicated things because of transportation issues, and still trying to figure out how to get benefits since I have had to give up my precious culinary career. FYI, I have had a visual field/low vision evaluation and I am considered legally blind.
[deleted] 2 points 2y ago
I am near toal blind. On the spectrum too. Before I can help I need to ask what specific drugs you take? Don't worry im a life long user of msny different ones myself. I can help you more than most when it comes to your issues since we are very similar.
First thing first is you should be very proud taking your first step in the right direction. The h arrest step is always acknowledging, addressing and asking. Trust me. You've already done the hardest part. Let's work together.
First thing first is you should be very proud taking your first step in the right direction. The h arrest step is always acknowledging, addressing and asking. Trust me. You've already done the hardest part. Let's work together.
UpsideDownwardSpiral [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I am off of drugs (and with the exception of some marijuana use, I have been for years), and rarely drink at this point (trhat has been my main crutch in the last decade or so). sobering up is a part in realizing specific things about myself, now that I am more clear headed and don't have anything numbing how I feel.
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
Thats awesome man, I wish I could say the same. However I believe it brings me more positives than negatives. Thats a topic for another day.
Its OK to feel things though.it what makes you human and let's others know too. Evenifwhat you feel is painful. Sometimes, more pain than gd. Its still OK. Its about managing and processing it. Are you knewly blind? Its really tough especially if you have other things going on. Just remember to keep talking to people.
Regarding getting help, you will need to see a doctor. Tey are going to know what to do. I wish I was a doctor so I could help you more. But they know better than me. You sound really cool, I really hope you get there man. Im here if you need to talk.
Its OK to feel things though.it what makes you human and let's others know too. Evenifwhat you feel is painful. Sometimes, more pain than gd. Its still OK. Its about managing and processing it. Are you knewly blind? Its really tough especially if you have other things going on. Just remember to keep talking to people.
Regarding getting help, you will need to see a doctor. Tey are going to know what to do. I wish I was a doctor so I could help you more. But they know better than me. You sound really cool, I really hope you get there man. Im here if you need to talk.
CloudyBeep 2 points 2y ago
I might be misunderstanding you, but it sounds like you had mental health issues before you lost most of your vision. If that's the case, getting therapy shouldn't be any different for you than for sighted people; you just need to explain to your therapist that your mental health issues aren't caused by your vision loss.
Hands-on occupations aren't off the table. Obviously, finding a job in a kitchen will be harder now that you are blind, but your previous experience in the field will be advantageous. If you think that working in a kitchen is riskier than you'd like, there are also blind carpenters. If you're in the US, the first place to go to get help with learning nonvisual techniques is your state's vocational rehabilitation department for the blind; if you're not in the US, your local blindness organization should be helpful.
Hands-on occupations aren't off the table. Obviously, finding a job in a kitchen will be harder now that you are blind, but your previous experience in the field will be advantageous. If you think that working in a kitchen is riskier than you'd like, there are also blind carpenters. If you're in the US, the first place to go to get help with learning nonvisual techniques is your state's vocational rehabilitation department for the blind; if you're not in the US, your local blindness organization should be helpful.
UpsideDownwardSpiral [OP] 3 points 2y ago
I don't think I was clear about what I am actually looking for, because I ended up ranbling off too much information that would possibly be of relevance.
I think I have Aspergers or am somewhere on the spectrum of Autism. My understanding is that it's not easy to get a diagnosis as an adult, but it's affecting me much more now. And I feel like everything else is a complication to that.
I think I have Aspergers or am somewhere on the spectrum of Autism. My understanding is that it's not easy to get a diagnosis as an adult, but it's affecting me much more now. And I feel like everything else is a complication to that.
CloudyBeep 1 points 2y ago
So you need to see a psychiatrist to get a diagnosis. But that probably won't do much to help you with your blindness-related problems. As far as I know, getting an autism diagnosis as an adult is mainly just for peace of mind.
Imamedicalunicorn 1 points 2y ago
So I'm new to r/blind and looking around. I'm going to comment on this even though I'm so late to the thread. You can get with a patient coordinator through your insurance which if your disabled you should have. They can help you find a doctor to evaluate you, if you need pne there are adult autism specialists out there. They even do training on some job skill or at least the one i know does. I'm in the US.
Your mental health, that coordinator should be able to put you in touch with a counselor and a psychiatrist. You need both. Even when it gets hard be completely honest with yourself and those two people. Dont miss appointments and take you meds. You just have to keep going every day. Good luck!
Your mental health, that coordinator should be able to put you in touch with a counselor and a psychiatrist. You need both. Even when it gets hard be completely honest with yourself and those two people. Dont miss appointments and take you meds. You just have to keep going every day. Good luck!
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
I forgot to put in about career paths. Man, I wish I could tell you the sky is the limit. Saidly its not. However there's still
L a lot you can do. Working in the kitchen honestly, I've been there i tell you its a absolute nightmare.
However their are jobs out there. Acting, singing, programming, inventing, engineering, entrepenuering, carpentry, investing, sporting, the list continues. Im currently investing to raise funds to set up a business myself.
I have hobbies such as wine making, poker playing, gold silver collecting, a new one is metal working and learning French and Latin and more codes. Lick picking and chemistry I do too. All fun.
L a lot you can do. Working in the kitchen honestly, I've been there i tell you its a absolute nightmare.
However their are jobs out there. Acting, singing, programming, inventing, engineering, entrepenuering, carpentry, investing, sporting, the list continues. Im currently investing to raise funds to set up a business myself.
I have hobbies such as wine making, poker playing, gold silver collecting, a new one is metal working and learning French and Latin and more codes. Lick picking and chemistry I do too. All fun.
UpsideDownwardSpiral [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I am aware that there is a ceiling to what is possible with low vision, which is why I am trying to set myself up to be able to learn an actual skill. A big fear is getting stuck in a job that offers no real upward mobility, or that I can't earn more based on getting better at it.
I was beginning to have some real success in cooking because my experience was really paying off. I don't see myself working in a kitchen again though, I would have to take a big stap backwards from where I was- including a significant reduction in pay based on the kind of responsibilities I am capable of performing now.
I know there are oppourtunities out there, but I know how difficult it is for me to learn skills, especially when I will have to rely less on my vision and more on my memory and understanding. I'm very inteligent, but I have a hard time with certain aspects of learning.
I was beginning to have some real success in cooking because my experience was really paying off. I don't see myself working in a kitchen again though, I would have to take a big stap backwards from where I was- including a significant reduction in pay based on the kind of responsibilities I am capable of performing now.
I know there are oppourtunities out there, but I know how difficult it is for me to learn skills, especially when I will have to rely less on my vision and more on my memory and understanding. I'm very inteligent, but I have a hard time with certain aspects of learning.
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
Same i learn very differently. If i didn't know better id say we are the same. It depends on what motivates you.
What does motivate you man?
What does motivate you man?
UpsideDownwardSpiral [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Oohpf. not a lot right now, honestly.
I don't want to end up stuck being broke, and not being able to find a partner because I have nothing to offer. I'm trying to work backwards from there. To me that means a decent paying job and some real emotional stability.
I don't want to end up stuck being broke, and not being able to find a partner because I have nothing to offer. I'm trying to work backwards from there. To me that means a decent paying job and some real emotional stability.
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