Desperate to know

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I just want to know now if I have Asperger's or not!

I don't know who to ask. I once suggested the possibility of it to a doctor and she immediatly dismissed the idea and put me on antidepressants. This was the first time she had ever met me - how could she be so sure in such a small space of time?

If I don't have Asperger's - then what the hell do I have?

If I was diagnosed I'd feel free to be me and less hidden

You haven't been assessed, so her judgment holds no value. Get assessed if you can and want to by a professional!

Are there any aspergers or autism groups in the area? They often have information for adults even if they focus on children.

In my short time here I've seen a lot of things - symptoms, if you will - that I can identify with and I increasingly want to know too. I think I know what you're feeling.

My various quirks don't cause me a lot of problems. Maybe they once did, but not so much anymore. I don't need any help or support - but I still want to know.

The problem for me seems to be that specialists aren't making priority appointments for people who don't need help.

Read up and compile a list of traits that you have and take it back to the doctor or get another opinion. See the NAS website, they are very good and would advise you as well.

if you think you are AS, read around for the different possible symptoms.
if for most of them, you get an instinctive "that's it, that's me" feeling, (dont think, just feel), then there is a high chance you indeed are AS.

however, it is always recommended to see a liscenced psycologist to get an official diagnosis, not only will you know for sure then, but the diagnosis also enables a lot of assistance to you (different per country/state though).
you might get a partial disability income, get ADA-protection for example.
also, presenting a diagnosis can allow you to make your tests/exams at school/college in more time and in a solitary location, or possibly even in a different form (like, an oral exam for maths, if that works better for you)

Don't let that experience with the doctor discourage you!

In retrospective, I displayed many visible signs of autism when I first had an appointment in which I raised my suspicion to a psychiatrist who claimed to know AS and AD(H)D. It was decided within the first 10 minutes that I could not possibly have an ASD or AD(H)D.

Because you know, AD(H)S is for rude little kids, autism is rare, there are only children with autism and they're not female, they're not intelligent... Or maybe they don't get paid enough to test for these. I know some definitely don't feel they get paid enough for testing for AD(H)D where I live.

Anyway, that was a waste of my time. Ask yourself whether or not your appointment and that doctor's opinion was a waste of your time too.

It's hard to get a diagnosis. Not every psychologist can or would do that. You've got to find those who are specialized in diagnosing adults. I hope you have good insurance coverage because they usually cost 1 - 2 k.

Many GP don't know much about autism at all. Although over here the only doctors who do diagnosis are private, so referrals are not needed anyway.