The advantage of my psychology obsession whilst in the Navy.

This, of course, is only a theory I have and I prefer not to say that I was "just lucky" but "persevered through thick and thin" by staying in the military for so long. I will never know for sure but I do know that I did serve a significant time in the military despite my perceived disabilities and I also know that I am not the only one who has achieved this. (This observation has been made upon reading endless blogs and posts from members who have served in the military and been later diagnosed with Asperger's/NVLD upon or after discharge.)

I don't wonder how the diagnosis was missed. For one, my ADD diagnosis, received while in the military, was not very thorough and I basically told them, "this is my problem. Will you please treat me for it?". I went to the psychology ward (Otherwise known as the 9th floor of the hospital where you didn't want to be seen unless you were going to the "library" conveniently located behind the "psych ward".) after being told by my supervisor that he thinks I have ADD because I don't make eye contact. (He thought I was distracted while he was talking to me when in fact I was listening. I just cant do both at the same time but I didn't know that then and believed what people told me.)

Let's just say I know how to fill out the questionnaires. (-; I know which things on the questionnaire are considered "depressive", and "schizoid" tendencies and I know that one would basically have to lie if you do or have had any problems. It's quite easy actually. I didn't admit to any depression or any particular thing that I know would be questioned by the U.S. Navy. In fact, I was terrified and I also believe that the only people who honestly answer those questions are the ones who want to be separated. I didn't.

During my time in the Navy,I also received bad advice from a community college counselor, and went for a very bad evaluation from a seedy disability office in the area. I was young and naive and didn't realize that what I needed to do was see a specialist which would not have been provided to me while I was in the Navy anyways. The disability office basically told me that I was uneducated and stupid even though I never received an IQ test from them. Of course I looked young and mentally healthy so my theory now is that they probably thought I was trying to "scam" the system and they were trying to "teach me a lesson". The experience hurt my already fragile ego and disenfranchised me even more. (I'll tell this story another time.)

So, to make a long story short, I knew how to answer the psych questions, I took the medications that pretty much only made me hyper, more aggressive than usual (which was seen as a good thing by the people I worked for), and sick from the side effects, and continued to get treated for ADD which, I, at the time, did believe I had.

It wasn't until recently that I discovered Asperger's and NVLD. This has opened a whole new realm of answers to questions I've always had and has removed the blame from myself and other members of my family for many things. (I also know that I am not stupid and uneducated) Not to mention, this revelation has helped me with my psych obsession by giving me new information to research. (O.K, so that is not good for my schooling which happens to be unrelated to my obsessions) It has opened my eyes to another world and culture that I believe that I may be part of.

What would've happened had I stayed in the military? Well, I shall speculate on that another time.