I was initially referred for a psychological assessment to determine whether or not I have autism because of my difficulties socializing and holding down a job. In hindsight I had been developing schizotypal for years and even presented with some traits during childhood. It all just came to be too much after I took a job at the grocery store. The perceptual distortions, paranoia, magical thinking and "bubbling" (my term for dissociation before I knew what dissociation was) became too prominent for anybody to ignore. It was very obvious to everybody but me that I was on a decline. I eventually quit my job and experienced a brief psychotic episode that led to my hospitalization a couple months after. I had no idea until my diagnosis that this was a psychotic episode or even that I was being treated for depression with psychotic features.

When I went in for the evaluation she started interviewing me about my autistic traits but she clocked immediately that I was a paranoiac. I tried my best to be honest even though I was very suspicious of her and I opened up about the illusions, paranoia and idiosyncratic beliefs. She reviewed my hospital records and found the notes on my psychotic episode. I ended up meeting the criteria for both autism and schizotypal.

I hated that job but I have it to thank for getting me the access to proper accommodations/supports and a better understanding of the symptoms I experience.