Went to see the Doctor

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Hey all.

Went to see the Doctor today, and was told that I probably have Asperger's Syndrome (she did not feel safe saying for sure, since she is not a specialist with Autism), and that we need to work on the problems I have in the mid-term, even before I'm diagnosed (which I agree with, seeing as they are going to be dealt with the same way whether or not they are caused by AS).

However, she told me that getting diagnosed could hurt me more than help me. She says it could prevent me from getting injury or life insurance in the future, and similar things. She says that although she "feels that I probably have it", she thinks it might be a good idea to wait until I need a diagnosis before trying to get one. I think I may have asked this question at some point on the forums already, but I would like to know what everyone thinks about a Doctor saying this to me.

So what does everyone think? Is a diagnosis a benefit, or is just knowing whether you have it or not the only benefit? Vote in the poll or leave a comment!

I hope that was not her only reason to not get a diagnosis because not everyone needs life insurance. I looked at my own situation as a guide because the new job did not offer group life insurance and as such, thought I needed my own. Based on my assets and liabilities, if I did not have life insurance, I would still be buried and my debts would still be paid. There would be no heirs but then I subscribe to the policy of "Being of sound mind and body, I spent the money". The life insurance industry would not have you think that way however.

The only people that need life insurance are those with persons to whom others are dependent on the income or services of that person and no assets to replace their income, or persons whom because they do not have any assets, or their liabilities would eat up their assets, and would cause a burden on others. The 2nd group need a simple $20,000 - $50,000 policy (which most employers offer as a fringe benefit). It is the first group that needs to be insured.

Generally, 99% of the population can get life insurance. Maybe not at the best rates as there is some increased risk, but they are insurable. Again, you would not think of it from those TV ads but then, since when does the business world want you to make a sound financial decision based on logic (yeah, I am cynical )

I would get the doctor to make up a list of pros and cons regarding a diagnosis from their perspective. I would then make up a list myself and see if it would make more sense. Never depend on others to make decisions for you.

Yes, I think there is a benefit to getting diagnosed with AS because if you know you have it, it can help you and change your life in the future.

Yes, I think there's a benifit to getting diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. I don't think that getting diagnosed can hurt you in any way. Do what the doctor says. Follow his/her directions and you'll be just fine.

Yes, I think there is benefit in getting a official diagnose!

There might be a chance you will be taken more seriously having an official diagnosis than without. In my country a official diagnosis is needed in order to get free, regular mental health care.

I think the people around you should understand you better if you tell them that you have an official diagnosis then when you share the idea of having Aspergers with them. They might think your Asperger having idea is a temporary thing.

I don't think this poll can be a matter of "Yes" or "No" but there are many benefits to getting diagnosed.

Hey all. Thanks for your responses. I see an overwhelming number of responses saying "Yes", however, I'm not getting any concrete reasons that may apply to me (don't take this as saying your reasons are dumb or anything like that, I'm just saying they don't necessarily apply to me).

ljbouchard: I'm only 18 right now, so of course I don't need life insurance, but how can I be sure I will never need it in the future? What if I end up getting married and having children in 20 years, and I have 3 or 4 dependants....but then I can't get life insurance for their protection because I got diagnosed with an autistic disorder when I was 18? My mom is struggling with this very issue with another mental disorder at the moment... I'm also going to make my own decision, I'm just looking for some outside input on the pros and cons, as you said.

larsenjw92286: I've already come to the conclusion that I have AS, and need to run my life accordingly. My Doctor confirmed my suspiscions, without actually diagnosing me. So at this point in that regard, a diagnosis will be nothing more than a piece of paper sitting in my file cabinet.

Captain_Brown: Not to be rude or anything, but you're kind of contradicting yourself. You're implying that I should get diagnosed by saying it won't hurt me and that there are benefits, and then you're telling me to listen to my Doctor, whom said the exact opposite. Sorry if I have misunderstood you...

BlueFireBird: My entire immediate family has accepted that I have Asperger's based on their experiences with me, and from the Student Records I have shown them. What my Doctor said, although not being an official diagnosis, confirmed to them that I have it. I also live in Canada, and then national health care coverage covers everything I need anyways.

dgd1788: Have you experienced any benefits to your diagnosis (assuming you are diagnosed)?

I probably sound like I've already made up my mind...but I haven't. All I need is one good reason in support of getting a diagnosis, and I will push for one. The problem is, I have yet to find a good reason for that diagnosis, so I'm torn....

Can any of you post some of the benefits that have directly affected you after you got your AS diagnosis?

Thanks again to everyone for responding to my post and answering my poll!

You're welcome!

I'm glad you're being honest. I'm also glad your information is being kept confidential.

i really don't think there is a benifit. atleast i haven't had anything broke that wasn't already broke fixed when i was a kid until now so no.

I think that it would depend on how much YOU wanted to know for sure. I was thinking about this myself a month ago or so. I went to see my doctor, who agreed to refer me but my local mental health people wouldn't see me so i've been wondering wether i should push for it or not. I don't think it would make much practical difference to my life at the moment and i wont to foster in a few years and am worried about a dx affecting that (look up stuff about AS and parenting and you'll see why)
I don't deny it would be lovely to know that i am right about things and that i do have AS. But maybe not now.....

How do you feel? After all its your life and your the one who will have to deal with your decision. Do you need to know? Will it make you feel different about things? Will it make you happier, more content, or confident? Will it affect how your family and friends feel? Will it make them happier or more content? Will it benefit you financially or in your job/everyday life?

I know its a hard decision, good luck with it.

Well I think there is no value in getting an AS DX. What treatment is there for
AS that differs from any other condition?(none) What treatments are available
anyway?(not many) Will you get any help from the government? Well it seems even bleeding heart socialist health systems such as in the UK offers little help for even kids with AS so what will an adult in a cut throat system in the US(if your in the US) get? (not much). Here is TheMachine1 thoughts if you think you might
have AS then guess what you have a condition I call xyz condition(just made that
up). XYZ condition has at its core social skills problems. I give you TheMachine1
DX of XYZ condition. Now guess what XYZ condition has the same treatment
options as AS. ( I will not bill you my normal $150 for that DX ) Now how to
improve social skills. The best thing is time. If you want to improve social skills
in a short time interval that is the hard part. If there was an easy answer there
would be no WP.

What if your not AS? Then what could it be? Your doctor could have been mistaken... My son was missdiagnosed as ADD (ADHD) What if I didnt push it? He is now Diagnosed as AS and getting help in school, also he will get help (extended time) for the SAT tests for college. Since the Diagnoses I have been reading a ton of books and our home life is 100% better in relation to our son. Is AS truely a denial for life insurance? It is covered by some medical ins. Good luck to you!

Thanks for the new responses...I'll respond to them as well!

waterdogs: Thanks for your honest response.

Morphia: As far as I'm concerned, I have AS, with or without the diagnosis. I would rather not post my student records online, but if you had a chance to read them, you would see why I'm so sure of it. I guess the main thing is that it doesn't matter whether my problems are caused by AS or not, they will be dealt with the same way. Whether my Social Anxiety is caused by AS or my admittedly screwed up childhood (my student records do detail AS problems before my life got screwed up) doesn't really matter, it will result in the same treatment.

TheMachine1: Canada (where I live) is very good for paying for this kind of stuff, ESPESCIALLY if you have a diagnosis of some kind. I guess it really depends on how much help I am goiing to need in the future. It would probably be something I would have to discuss with my Doctor.... I doubt the cost of getting dx'd would be prohibitive though.

bigbear: You're right, maybe I'm not AS. There is a very very good chance that I am, but I agree that it is still not 100% certain. However, the situation with your son is far from comparable. My problems, whether caused by AS or not caused by AS, are treated the same, so it wouldn't really matter if my Doctor was wrong. ADD/ADHD and AS are NOT treated the same on any level, including medications and therapy options. The Doctor being wrong about your son would have worse implications for your son than my Doctor being wrong would have for me.

At this point, I think I'm going to write down all of the pros and cons listed here and then discuss it further with my Doctor. Even with all of this discussion, I am still torn, so making the decision before talking to my Doctor again isn't a smart thing to do I don't think.

Thanks again everyone!

You're welcome!

You have asked a very good question as aspergers can be considered a mental disorder, and being diagnosed can cause problems when it comes to getting a job or insurance.
Having your aspergers diagnosed is good if you want people to feel sorry for you so you can live an easy life, (many aspies who think that think being diagnosed is a good thing no not have a proper job and live of money other people have earnt)
Simon

Simon,

I resent your statement very much. I happen to be a diagnosed aspie who holds down a regular job (programmer and tester for a marketing company, I have also been a school bus driver) which I obtained without any government help. The money I earn is on my own right.

There are also many other users on this board who have been diagnosed who still hold down jobs without assistance.