hi from canada, question regarding diagnosis in adulthood

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hello i am an aspie from canada.

had always known something was different (had trouble keeping friends and jobs, could not drive, ride a bike, or interview properly for a job).

at the age of 34, a boss suggested i look into what was 'different' about me. while awaiting referral, i happened to come across the diagnostic criteria for asperger syndome in a magazine and read it out to my husband as i thought it sounded like something a relative of mine has. my husband said (of 12 years at the time), 'oh no, that's you', which shocked me, but he was right!

i am wondering about whether to seek a more in-depth diagnosis. the initial referred psychiatrist said i definitely have a developmental disability, but would not look into it further as he said my problems were really my anxiety and depression. but then a subsequent my medical doctor confirmed the belief it is asperger syndrome. later on, another psychologist and psychiatrist offhandedly agreed that i have asperger syndrome, but i have always wondered if i should get more elaborate testing done.

here in canada, the testing through a psychologist costs money so i don't know whether i should go that route. but maybe it is something i should seek out eventually?

Have your difficulties been distressing and caused you life-long unhappiness? If your life would be greatly improved by merely having the formal diagnosis, then you really need to have it. It's not optional for you then.

Remember, however, that Asperger's is just something you will have to live with. The most you can do is learn to adapt better through the knowledge you gained; there is no cure. So, if you think you can continue to go on just fine without a diagnosis, don't waste the money. If you are currently happy with yourself, then it would be better to stick with the self-diagnosis and just use some self-improvement techniques.

So, yeah... that answer is in how disabled you are and how dysfunctional your life is.

Welcome to WrongPlanet.

thanks cockneyrebel! iam ahppy to have discovered these forums.

i appreciate your perspective dyingofpoetry. i guess i always considered the diagnosis i already have to be official enough. i.e. if 3 various health professionals agree that my developmental disability is most likely asperger syndrome, then why on earth would i need to have official testing thrown on the pile?

to date, i've been able to get the help i need through the canadian mental health system, even without a more formal diagnosis. but now there is also a support group in my city that i hope to join, and they want some background, so i will be obviously be honest about the diagnosis... but i am worried that the diagnosis is not solid enough.

this support group could help me to meet and make friends, to keep a job, and to learn some important coping skills. i think i will just outright ask the intake people about it, because they will be able to best tell me how to proceed. the group starts in september.

but what rcently also gave me pause is that i have a family member publicly questioning my diagnosis on my blog (and on facebook, to a lesser degree). she is kind of a bully about other matters as well, but that's a topic for another day. her comments shocked me into wondering if it is something i need to get a firmer handle on.

i guess it never occurred to me that anybody would question it - why would they question the truth?

thanks for the welcome sartresue! i've heard that about the cost as well...

conundrum, i definitely struggle with remembering 'why' something is important. i am working so hard at making my life and surroundings stay as positive and optimistic as possible.

i am too fragile and can get discouraged by someone second-guessing me (naturally, my family member told me that if i am upset with her questioning my diagnosis, that *proves* i am not an aspie. she actually told me that my thought processes do not fit with what she knows about aspies. she gave me an opportunity to prove her otherwise, but the whole situation is just so weird now)

Welcome aboard the Wrong Planet, hyperlexian.