Newly self-diagnosed, seeking advice on choosing therapist

Post Reply New Topic

Hello All,

I was introduced to Asperger's via and NPR interview and after hearing the interviewee's experiences, I was compelled to investigate.

To test my belief, I read off a list of AS symptoms and asked my husband to answer yes or no, as to whether he observes those symptoms in me (without knowing what it was leading to). When we were finished I told him that I met the diagnostic criteria for Asperger's. We started to read more about it and he agrees that I must have it, because it explains my ticking, my temper/rage, my "quirks," intellectual obsessions, clumsiness and social problems. It's amazing I am married and a mother!

I am actively seeking a therapist, as for some reason, an official diagnosis is important to me. Also, I am already feeling a lot of closure. It is actually a relief to have a name for my eccentric personality and behavior.

Has anyone done self-diagnosis and then had it confirmed by a professional? Is there anyone who doesn't care whether a professional diagnoses them or not? What are the pros and cons of being officially diagnosed?

Thank you,
tallgirl

_____________________________________________________________
Blessed are all G-d's self-portraits.

Hi Tallgirl,

I began my inquiry into Asperger's after reading an article in a leading paper. The description fit, I studied up, joined forums, read books, then saw a professional who basically agreed that I am on the spectrum. It isn't straightforward getting a diagnosis as an adult because we have coping mechanisms developed over the years. There are other conditions that can result in similar characteristics. Finding out that you have been autistic from birth is a big adjustment, not like coming down with a treatable illness. Welcome and I hope you gain insight from the posts here and on other forums. Take care.

Hi Tallgirl. I'm married and a mother, too. I am self-diagnosed, after reading much information about AS. I'm not interested in going to the expense or the effort to get an official diagnosis. I'm just happy finally knowing what "my problem" has been for the past 41 years!

My son was recently diagnosed as having AS, and I was diagnosed as not having AS/autism. I have a lot of the symptoms, though. I have mixed feelings about this whole process. Having an AS/autism diagnosis would at least give me answers for why I feel and act the way I do. Now I just have a bunch of symptoms, with no umbrella to put them under. On the other hand, if I don't have autism/AS, I guess I can be cured of social problems, anxiety, depression, etc. (????! !!).

I am also wondering if it's ever possible for me to have a thorough diagnosis, because most of my family is either dead or otherwise not competent to give answers.

Advantages of having an official diagnosis:
* You may qualify for disabilty payouts
* you're protected by disability laws
* you can go to AS support groups

Disadvantages:
* You may feel like you can never be "cured", so why bother even trying?
* if you get a divorce, your husband could use the diagnosis against you

We came to the conclusion that Dunc was probably AS after our eldest son was diagnosed. It took us a long time to get the local health care trust to agree for a consultation with someone who could give him an offical diagnosis. He needed an official diagnosis for various reasons (which I will let him go into if he decides he wants too- I'll point him to this thread).


I know in the UK it can be harder for adults to get a dx as most 'experts' seem to only know about children.

I guess it depends on whether on not you feel you need an official diagnosis or not- good luck whatever you decide.

Mel

Hi tallgirl

as mel said I first self-diagnosed 2 years ago when I was 26, finding more info after reading Tony Attwood's book and realising he was describing me.

Without getting boring (I hope), I struggled with university and employment, and got frustrated trying to communicate with mel and the kids. In my last job (in a call centre) I was doing ok at first, but ran into problems with shifts and sensory sensitivities which came to a head when my supervisor who was supportive and was aware I had AS went on maternity leave. At this point I disclosed my suspicions to my employers with my supervisors help, but the 'equal opportunities' facade disappeared when my friend left. By now I was arguing with the local health service trust for a diagnostic referral to a specialist, but got a crappy clinical psychologist instead - meanwhile the stress and discrimination at work led to a major depression and anxiety problems which still aren't sorted, and I had to quit my job . I finally got my dx from an autism specialist in september this year.

Pros and cons?

The pros are:

*that it can give you a sense of why you are different and that it is okay to be this way, if you need to hear it from an 'expert'.
*access to protection from disability discrimination and access to support services and benefits, if you need them.

I cant really think of any cons, as you dont have to disclose AS to others if you don't want to, but the process is hard and can be painful to accept at first. It depends on how you think the confirmation would affect you - and how you would feel if you were told you did not have AS.

dunc

One other point: it can be useful to have an 'official' diagnosis if you have family members/friends who think you're making it all up or that you've 'grown out of it'.