OK so I made an appointment to get an assessment...

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I don't know what good it will do, other than to give me a definitive yay or nay on if I actually have Asperger's or not... but I guess I want that knowledge for some reason I don't exactly understand right now.

It's through my company provided EAP, and I wanted to be as vague as possible, so I told them I just needed an assessment for short term therapy for "anxiety & depression" (which is not untrue since I do feel those things).

I have been previously diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, but I don't think that was an accurate diagnosis, I think the therapist just wanted to hurry up and get a label on me so he could move on to the next insurance payment. I tried taking medication (Abilify) 4 years ago for the supposed bi-polarity but it made me act and feel extremely strange, so I had to stop. I haven't been on medication since.

What can I expect from the therapist and how should I approach the situation? Should I just be completely up front and tell her what I think is wrong with me, or should I just give her my specific symptoms and let her try and diagnose me without having prejudiced judgement? Is there anything she can actually do for me, therapy-wise, that will help me to act more "normal" and will actually work, or would I be better off just dealing with it on my own through reading and online communities such as this one?

I guess just as important, should I tell my boss the reason why I need the time off, or should I just lead him to believe it is a routine doctor appointment? I don't know if my company will be sympathetic to my situation if I do have Asperger's or if they will view it as a weakness and try to find a way to get rid of me without it appearing to connect with my mental health.

In a way, I really hope that I find out that I do have it, because at least it will put my mind at ease and everything will make sense. If not, I guess the search will continue to find out what the heck is wrong with me and why I feel so... different.

Well, I think with any diagnosis, the best one is the correct one!

I would just be as honest as you can and ask them if what you have could possibly be Asperger Syndrome. You might want to try to find out if they have much experience with ASDs too.

Most psychs don't have the background to assess people for autism spectrum disorders. You will probably get referred someplace else or just be told it's anxiety or depression.

If possible....don't waste your time with someone who isn't experienced in DXing AS in adults. There is a lot of mis-information out there.

Help...Not from my personal experience. They did offer for me to come in 2X a month and talk about my problems. I have a hard enough time leaving the house...WP is my support system.

I would not disclose the possible As with your boss. People love to gossip. If you receive an affirmative DX for AS and feel it is effecting your job...that is the tie to disclose(you can do a little research about accomidations based on your own traits...different for each of us and based on the kind of work you do. Other then that..it is tempting to have people understand you but few have any idea or interest in learning what AS is and will just start calling you "Rain Man".

My own experience was 4 sessions were he asked me a bunch of questions about my childhood and current experience related to the DSM listed traits. If you have anxiety about this,(I did) you can write out examples that might fit and don't fit and they can sort out for themselves. Some also ask for feedback from sibs or parents memories of you as a kid.

Good luck