Anyone Seek a Second Opinion

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All – Thanks for your responses regarding the second opinion. So, one more question. When you sought the second opinion, did you notify the practitioner of the original diagnosis and provide them with any written evaluation (assuming one was provided)? Just curious.

I keep thinking of getting a second opinion. There are some common Aspie traits that I don't have at all, like opening up about my feelings to people, being far from logical, having a lot of emotional empathy (although I don't really believe that empathy is something they lack), and having natural facial expressions and being able to recognise body language and all of that in other people. Also I think back to when I was a child and how I played imaginative games and with toys, and it was very much how any typical child would play.

But I look at all the traits I don't have and start to become hopeful that I may not have this condition. Sometimes I feel like an NT with social phobia, anxiety/stress disorder, depression, and afflicting shyness. But then I think of all the traits I do have. The way I see it, there are 6 main symptoms of Asperger's/Autism, which are; prone to anxiety and stress, prefer vivid routine, prone to meltdowns due to being unable to handle life's situations, intense obsessions, sensory issues (particularly being afraid of loud noises), and social awkwardness. Unfortunately I have all of these at least to some point.
I AM very prone to anxiety, stress and panic attacks, not to mention anger attacks too, usually over things that confuse me or what I can't control or things that would not usually upset most other people.
I DO feel insecure when my routine changes unexpectedly, and I worry and fret even when I know something is going to be disruptive to my preferred routine, as though it's the most worst thing in the world.
I AM prone to meltdowns, and can be more neurotic than the average person over things that wouldn't cause most people to behave or react in that way. These are usually caused by anger attacks, and sometimes panic attacks when I feel powerless to change the distressing situation. It's like I lack coping skills and just deal with some of life's difficult situations like how a toddler will.
I DO have intense obsessions. Often I get myself fascinated with something so intensely that I end up getting myself into trouble due to getting too carried away and too involved. Then I always end up feeling like a jackass.
I DO have sensory issues what make me extremely jumpy and afraid of loud noise, particularly sudden loud noises. When in an environment when I know a sudden loud noise is going to occur, like a dog barking without warning or a loud bell echoing, I feel edgy and uncomfortable and need to escape.
I AM social awkward in some ways. I think my main social weakness is authority. I am so nervous when it comes to authority that it's unbelievable. I have experienced authoritative positions (like sales, preschools, etc), and I seem to feel so afraid to put my foot down and be assertive. I thought toddlers would be easy to be authoritative with, but when I worked at a preschool, I found I got so nervous and just could not make myself have that authority. I don't know why it's so hard. It's the social skill that I need most help working on.

Sorry to gabble on there.