Diagnosis: How and Why?

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Hi, everyone! I'm new to the community and this is my first post.

Basically, I have two questions:
1) If I want to be tested for Aspergers, to what kind of doctor should I go? (I'm sorry if this is a silly question. I really have no idea!)
2) Assuming I do have Aspergers but that it hasn't been a "problem," will getting an official diagnosis change anything?

(The word "problem" is in quotation marks for a complicated reason. First of all, based on the stories I've been reading, I've had things a lot easier than others--something I'm quite grateful for. On the other hand, I've also felt for a long while that I'm just hanging in there by my fingernails and now I want to know if there's anything more I can do to cope. A diagnosis seems like a good place to start: if I know what I have, then I'll know what best to do, right? Even if it's confirmed that I'm not an Aspie, at least I'll have some closure in that corner. But as friends and family constantly remind me, I'm 28 years old. If I've been "doing so well" so far, is there any practical reason to ask to be tested?)

Thanks so much!

1) getting a diagnosis:
this typically would involve either a Psychiatrist or psychologist, or both. My self I came to the conclusion on my own (because it explained way too much about me) and went to a new shrink and basically laid out the case (why I was convinced), oddly enough after explaining how this had effected me from early childhood onward in various areas of my life the shrink (who looked a lot like col. curtz) essentially responded by saying yeah but what do you want me to do about it. When I brought up the subject with my regular shrink he did not argue against it, and infact agreed as well.
2) why do it
as an adult it is pretty unlikely that a dx will provide you with anything other than answers. Mind you the value of understanding the why behind many of the most painful experinces in your life can be cathartic.
I no longer meet the criteria for major depression for the 1st time in almost 20 years (1st dxed with that at 16),
for the people around me that I care about and who care about me it has provided a new understanding, I used to get overwhelmed by interpersonal relationships and just would dissapear out of peoples lives when it got to be too much, now I can explain some of this to people and most understand that sometimes I need to be alone and as long as this is understood that I will be there tommorow, and that it isn't anybodies fault. (as an example this weekend I went to a festival with a close friend (ie were sleeping together) by the end of 3 days I had more than my fill of people and inteactions, even if in the moment it was hard for my friend to understand why I became more distant as the weekend wore on, but she does understand, where in the past spending more than 24 continous hours with anyone was enough to end the relationship.

answers give you knowledge and a place to move forward from rather than being in a state of constantly being behind.

1. I went to a neuropsychologist. You want to go to a psychologist, not a psychiatrist. You also want to look for one that specializes in diagnosing ASDs, because they're the ones with most information, and most practice.

2. If you don't want any "help" related to it, not much. The biggest thing in that case is just the relief of knowing that you aren't just making up the situation. There is also, if you need to see a counselor or therapist for some other reason, you can see someone who knows ASDs, so can work with you better. As a whole, the advantages I'm getting from my diagnosis are because of problems (accommodations in work environment, working with specialist for counselors, etc)

I went to a neuro-psychiatrist
And I`m not sure about the 2nd answer
But welcome to WP!!

I would suggest going to a qualified psychologist of some kind (just make sure they are qualified to diagnose ASDs if you intend on going). I have had bad experiences with psychiatrists, and I know others have as well. I find they more frequently look to treat a symptom, while psychologists look to treat a person. Might be a subtle difference, but I think it is there, and I think it shows in how the majority interact with their patients.

If Aspergers isn't a "problem" for you though, then you might not even get a diagnosis even if you do go. One of the diagnostic criteria for Aspergers is that it must present some sort of limitation in functioning. If that is not there, they are not going to strap a label on you that you do not need. If you do have a limitation that even having label can be helpful just for your own sense of self/identity. If there is no limitation and you are living a completely normal life, I see no reason why you would even want to bother with a diagnosis.