Why Do People Hate Self-Diagnosers?

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Autism is still mostly considered a condition that has to be there from birth. That is the diagnostic criteria in the DSM 5. While the DSM 5 has recognized that traits may not become more apparent until later on as social demands increase some sort of knowledge of early childhood is needed. Parent interviews or school records are a means to get information on potential traits you had in early childhood. If you are an older adult parents might be dead or their memories of decades ago and school and medical records are long gone. Some psychologists will if based on observation and testing diagnose you anyways others won't.

I've heard that developing the symptoms of autism later on after childhood is indicative of degenerative conditions such as schizophrenia which is probably why all these spree killers are said to be on the spectrum when they're probably just undiagnosed schizophrenic(usually becoming apparent around age 20)

Very similar experience. Very much HFA; have felt 'off' and split my entire life, not to mention life-long struggles with sensory overload and shutdowns, and extreme difficulty being/feeling socially 'normal'. I struggle with major depression disorder and what I call 'deep existential emptiness' - but its like a chicken-and-egg situation. Does repressing my AS-self and learning to function in the NT world trigger even more intense depression and soul-emptiness, or does the depression exacerbate my repressed Aspieness and resultant meltdowns, selective mutism, and perpetual fatigue, burnout, and emotional exhaustion, in turn making life more challenging (socially, and with sensory input) and triggering even more depression?

I was officially diagnosed about a year ago, but now that I have finally started exploring this part of me, I am becoming terrified that the moment I claim being an HFA, someone will come along and prove this is not true at all, that I am not really an Aspie at all, and am claiming this diagnosis to explain my weirdness and/or to seek attention (which I am not -- I hate attention and find people exhausting!). I am learning AS-speak; words like meltdowns and mutism are like music to my years. But I am so afraid of this diagnosis, too, -- afraid that I am not really an Aspie (even though I understand the idea that one you've met an Aspie, you've met one Aspie -- but I wish there were some more concrete parameters I could cling to), and someone will set me straight very soon.

Having the diagnosis invalidated by people (it took my NT therapist, whom I respect a lot, a year to finally acknowledge my Aspie sides -- because I pass SO well as an NT person) would be super painful. I don't trust that I am really an Aspie, AND I don't trust that I am NOT an Aspie (because I know I am one). It is exhausting to be like this.

Sorry -- long post.

I was diagnosed by a doctor as an adult, but I get little if any support from at all because there practically is none in the hick town I live in. The joys of being a female aspie.

Ugh. And sniff.

p.s. -- and I don't even want any support, per se. I just want to be believed. Why are people so resistant and insulting? I mean, if I had to choose a diagnosis to gain sympathy and attention, there's so many to choose from that would be a much better fit! I swear, I do NOT understand human beings.

Virtual ((((hugs))), lostonearth35

LOL at 'my elevator didn't quite go all the way to the top' -- unless that is an inappropriate reaction? I haven't heard that phrase before. If inappropriate, my apologies. And, Raptor, so sorry you had to experience this. This sucks. Yes, you learned to survive but no one should have to experience denial of their being-ness like this. Again, I say -- stupid humans.

I'm loving the thread so far and have read every response. It's all very it interesting but how the heck does your teacher know you have an elevator that doesn't get all the way to the top floor? What has an elevator got to do with being sent to a mental health professional? That's really weird.

You sound like a scientist studying rats. What are your thoughts? I assume you are diagnosed?

I am the large fat rat in the corner, grooming my ears.

Yes,I am diagnosed. I got diagnosed at 11 with Autism, ADHD and OCD. I have some other stuff being tested for too. I didn't get diagnosed until 11 because I used to live in a small town. The doctors labeled me as naughty and slow even though my parents knew something was wrong. I mean, I didn't talk until late on and I repeated words and sentences a lot, I was in nappies until i was around 6, I couldn't brush my own teeth etc. My mum moved me to London and I got diagnosed the first year I was there because I, apparently, was that obvious.

I'm not a scientist studying rats; I hope I haven't offended someone somehow. I'm just interested in hearing everyone's point of view on this topic and it's interesting going through everyone's responses. I don't know what you mean by 'What are your thoughts?'. You'll have to specify by what you mean. What are my thoughts about what?

Hi Coda,

I'm glad you're doing well in college. You were a little concerned that you might not do so well--but you are!

When Raptor talks about not quite getting to the top in an elevator, it's sort of the same thing as saying that one is not the "sharpest tool in the shed."

In other words, according to the people saying these phrases, the person is not normal and somehow "defective" in some way.

What do you think in response to this, then, Coda:

You seem to apply your idea indiscriminately; your opening post indicates you think for example that much older members "should be diagnosed" along with everyone else regardless of personal circunstances or choices.

How is it that you know what is (or is not) good for older people? What part of your life experience suggests to you that you know what is best for older members here? Or even your peer group?

Thank you. I'm doing alright in college at the moment, I'm a little behind on my work due to health reasons but I'm catching up.

Thank you for explaining that. I'm usually okay with 'sayings', idioms and stuff but I've never heard this one before and so didn't know if it was real or a 'saying'. It confused me a lot and was going to actually wake my mum up and ask her because I was so confused by it. Well at least I know now.

It's basically a question you throw out to get someone to join the conversation. It is deliberately ambiguous.

I don't think there would be many people hate self-diagnosers, but some are quick to perceive you as hateful if you don't gloss relevant posts over with sunshine and rainbows.