Should I get reassessed?

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I suspect that I'm not autistic. I'm not sure if I should get reassessed or not. The reason why I want to be reassesed is because I don't like being seen as autistic. I just don't like autism being on my records. I also have reasons why I don't want to get reassessed. I have several health issues that the doctors have been unable to diagnose. I have very bad fatigue(mostly mental), so that causes a lot of problems with work. I am applying for disability and having a "big diagnosis" like autism would help me get it. I also don't want to be reassessed because I'm afraid that they will say I'm actually autistic.

im a stong believer in the importanantce of accurate diagnoses, if you feel the autism diagnoses doesnt fit, deffinately get re assessed, i guess if people can diagnose themselves, you can undiagnosed yourself. all up to you.

I say go for it, at the end of the day a label is there to help you and can only do so if it's accurate. If you're going to get another opinion though, you should be prepared to accept the result, even if you do get diagnosed with autism again. There's only so much testing before it becomes denial rather than healthy scepticism, you know?

YES,YES,YES

1. Several of us think that you have might have some legitimate reasons for doubt.

2. If you are not an Aspie you need to find the right diagnosis to A. Get the proper help for your real issues. B Undue the damage brought by the incorrect diagnosis.

3. If you do have an Autism Spectrum Disorder it will be a short term psychological blow that will need treatment to get past. You will need to know what caused you to have incorrect doubts, what Autistic traits you do have

In conclusion you need a second opinion for your own piece of mind. The doubt is messing you up. From what I see you can't move forward until this gets resolved. I would still go to the Autism specialist first them if you were misdiagnosed see somebody else. Good Luck

That's what I'm the most afraid of along with getting zero help for my other issues. I don't think it will be a "short term psychological blow" I think it will be more like a decade or life long psychological blow. I've been feeling crappy about my diagnosis for seven years so far. I know that I obsess a lot and obsessing is considered an autistic trait.
If I don't get reassessed at least I qualify for disability, which can kind of help my other issues.

A specialist will know about co morbid and other related issues as they are fairly common so you would get a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as other items that would qualify you for disability.
If you lose an incorrect Asperger diagnoses it will be an incredible relief that may change your whole perspective on life.

ASD or not you should be treated for non ASD issues.

You are thinking about all the bad things that may happen if it is confirmed you are a autistic. You should think about what the bad things that could happen if you stay where you are with this corrosive doubt eating away at you.

Last edited by ASPartOfMe on 21 Jan 2014, 6:19 am, edited 3 times in total.

The problem is that a lot of my problems are unrelated to ASD. I even have some mysterious physical problems. I have breathing problems that can get quite bad. I got tested for asthma, but I don't have it. I don't think ASD specialists would be able to do anything about my physical problems. I'm only seventeen, I shouldn't have any breathing problems at my age.
EDIT: My diagnosis isn't the only thing I doubt. I'm also doubting my sexual orientation. Too bad they can't diagnose that.

You need to go to a regular doctor and get thorough testing for physical issues. Be aware that psychological issues may cause or exacerbate physical symptoms so there is still reason to pursue a second diagnosis. Autism co morbids also may be a cause of physical issues.

I tried, but in Canada doctors are very lazy.

Just keep in mind that having ASD will not serve to protect you or prevent other problems.

I often start to worry about all kinds of things when I feel upset---most of which even if resolved wouldn't help the real or bigger concern I am struggling with at that time.

Think about what you most need or want right now and go after that, or go after help to get there. If it is a new diagnosis or help for something unrelated to ASD then go after that, if it is help planning for the future, go after that, whatever is your priority.

I know. Unfortunately psychiatrists, psychologists, specialists, doctors and teachers don't.

You may believe in it, but is it a rational belief?

The diagnostic criteria have just changed. Aspergers is out, ASD is in. The descriptions of both are inexact. There are patterns of symptoms that overlap with other diagnoses. When there is no definitive test for the diagnosis, the science underpinning the diagnosis is rapidly evolving and there are multiple, slightly different international standards in effect, what does accuracy even mean?

You do the best you can to understand, but it's likely ASD diagnoses will continue to evolve quite rapidly as research uncovers new information. It makes sense to get as much information as you can about how you can be categorized currently, but it also makes sense to acknowledge that the diagnosis will likely be redefined or become more precise in the future.

One of the things people seem to have a very hard time understanding about autism is just how heterogenous it is. It's possible that it fits despite your finding other explanations for certain symptoms.

I was never actually diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. It's just that me and a lot of other people use the terms HFA and Asperger's interchangeably. If autism is so heterogenous, why are autism treatments so homogenous?
It seems like people who don't know about my diagnosis understand me better than people who do know it. Isn't the point of diagnosis to be understood better?

I don't think autism treatment is homogeneous. Just some people are narrow minded what it should consist of.