Diagnosis: Is it worth it?

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I have a question I'd like to put out there: Is there a point to going through the trouble of diagnosis?

I've been to see many psychologists / psychiatrists in in my life. Now, I'll admit, I've been very uncooperative and have landed myself in the Child / Adolescent Psychiatic Ward at the local hospital twice, and bla bla bla difficult youth. I've been told I have ADHD, that I'm depressed, and that I may even be bipolar. However, I do my OWN research when I really want an answer to something, and in this case, I haven't found anything that sums up my entire life quite as neatly as the information that I've found on this site.

So I ask you all, is it worth it to actually go through with getting a diagnosis? Pros? Cons? I'm thinking about paying a visit to my family doctor to get set up for testing, but of course I'd like to think it through logically and analyze whether it's worth it or not before I do...

I can't see any basis for saying definitely yes or definitely no. If you think it would benefit you for any reason, then it's probably a good idea. It would probably be a good idea to get the views of some of the other canucks here on whether having a diagnosis would be an advantage or a disadvantage in terms of disability status, or benefits, or possible discrimination in employment or schools, that sort of thing.

You can judge this as well as me, but it seems like asperger's varies a lot from one individual to the next, more than what is represented in the official literature the professionals will be using as a reference. It sounds like you've been around mental health types quite a bit, so you can form your own opinion about them.

Do exactly what you're doing. Figure out what's best for you.

It seems like this board is always divided. Those who have gotten diagnosed generally say it's worth it, and those who haven't gotten diagnosed generally say it isn't. It depends on how much it affects you. For me, it was more than worth it.

Only time will tell for me.I still cant completely believe my recent DX.It wasnt that long ago that" they" were trying to convince me that some mysterious family member had tried molesting me...(And thats why I am so weird)...and it was only a few years ago that they gave my sister shock treatment and 8 different kind of meds....to "help" her.I have a few issues with any thing to do with the "psyc field".

I am going to see the "specialist" who DXed me and see if he has any info that helps me "function" better.The results are in the pudding(whatever the hell that means.)One of the reasons I decided to go ahead with the DX is because I kept going back and forth...I do,I dont,I do,I dont...I should,I shouldnt

I really hate this "indecision" crap...so sometimes,I just have to jump to quit thinking about it.

I would have to say that the decision to try to get a DX should be dependent on your circumstances. One of the things that makes a DX so hard is the part of the DSM which states that the disorder criteria must be causing you to have problems with everyday living. I am sure that there are people with show the signs of AS, but cannot get a DX because they have adapted so well that the doctor cannot give them a DX.

The decision should be up to you as to whether a DX is needed or not. I went un DXd for about 6 - 7 years after learning about AS because at the time, I did not need it. Only when I was having serious issues did I seek out a DX.

Another issue you may face surrounding a DX is that you may get a DX, but then be told that there is no help available where you live because of the lack of knowledge of AS as to how it affects adults. In my case, I was able to get a DX here in Rochester but because of the lack of training here, I have to go to the Twin Cities (Minneapolis or Saint Paul) for any support.

The reasons I'd want to get a DX would be:

a) I'm tired of all the different theories as to why I haven't adapted well... Pick one, dammit!
b) My meds... I think if I knew what was causing my "depression", I could work on fixing it WITHOUT the drugs. Not that I need a therapist to tell me what I already know...

The reason I wouldn't want to bother would be:

a) Just thinking about waiting six month spending more time in waiting rooms, phychiatrists' offices, and with my new family doctor (whom I'm not liking!! ! ) makes me nauseous...
b) All of the above... it's bad enough to be counted twice. Blech.

I guess I answered my own question...
Really, it's deciding which scenario is worth more to me.

*rubs chin and stares off into space*