Ask Dr. Schwartz
Psychotherapy and Mental Health questions

When I was around 6 years old my parents took me to a mental health clinic to see if I had a mental disorder because I was so 'naughty' in class. These meetings we had are some of my earliest memories. I remember a few tests they did on me such as asking me to draw a picture and putting this strange helmet on me to observe brain activity. I also remember my mother crying a lot which was quite traumatic for a 6 year old boy. In the end I wasn't diagnosed with anything so they concluded that I was just very naughty!

I was speaking to my Dad the other day and he said he did not want any 'labels' for his son (he told that to the doctor at the time), I have always wondered if I do have a mental condition and it just wasn't diagnosed because of this.

Today I wouldn't describe myself as normal. My main problem is processing language. I find it hard to process thoughts into words and vice versa. This can be annoying when in conversation, one person says something, it takes time for me to figure out what the words mean, then I come up with a response, and it takes time to think of the appropriate words to express this response. It is hard to perceive myself from others point of view, and so it is hard to imagine how different I am. Maybe I come across as obviously mentally challenged, maybe I come across as just a little eccentric. There was an apparently separate issue when I was aged 11-15. I believe I had, or at least had some symptoms of avoidant personality disorder.

Does the rejection of people and socialising at this age affect the development of communication skills? Thanks

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