To Diagnose or not to diagnose...

Post Reply New Topic

Hello Everyone, I just joined Wrong Planet, and I would like to ask your opinion on professional diagnosis.

I've always known there's something wrong with me, ever since I was really young, and it wasn't until I met a gentleman with Asperger's/Autism that I realized that perhaps Asperger's is the explanation for my actions. I've always suffered from being ostracized in the workplace, and I never understood why. I've always said the wrong thing, done the wrong thing, I've always felt like I don't belong anywhere. I've had a deep fixation on topic to topic, really researching and becoming quite knowledgeable in everything from Quality to Music to Knitting. I've taken the AQ and EQ tests and scored well into the Asperger's range. I understand that none of these are black-and-white indicators...

The thing is, I'm not looking for SSDI or anything. I can work, matter of fact, I want to work, though I have difficulty with others. I just want to make sure I have Asperger's and not something else. It's just that it's the first time I've examined myself, and have matched up so precisely with a condition. The other factor is that there's no really good places around here to get diagnosed. The county clinic is not well-staffed, and are apparently not well-versed in diagnosis, as my younger brother is exactly the same as me. When he went there, they just told him he had Depression and were going to give him SSRIs. That's it. No tests, no nothing, just flat-out told him "you don't have Asperger's".

anyways, I'll turn the floor to you guys. I await your advice with an open mind.

~ J

my nephew has an asperger's diagnosis and another serious condition and was turned down repeatedly for SSI. a diagnosis is not insurance. i don't have an official diagnosis because i didn't realize my problems had a name until reading about asperger's when my nephew was diagnosed. i was 55. my life was pretty much set by then. an official diagnosis wouldn't change anything for me.

It can provide an explination for why things happened in your life they way they did and that the reasons were not character flaws. It can be very expensive and as you are finding hard to find clinitions who understand how autism presents in adults.

While you are working which is a real good thing, you are probably not getting the salary, promotions a person with your skills usually do. An explination be it Aspergers-Autism or something else will help you to find your strengths and use them.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I would be loathe to take SSDI, but I hear your point that I might need it in the future. I am actually going to be moving sooner rather than later, most likely nearer to a city, which should give me better options.

I mean, I have strong confidence that Asperger's is whatever this is with me. I've run through multiple other potential sources, like Schizphrenia, Bipolar Disorder, but none of them really fit (i.e., no mania, just depression, no voices...)

But still, better to have a professional opinion.

Thank you for the insight on the promotions and work. I've been at my job for about 2 and 1/2 years, and many people who have come in long after me(people who I've trained for my current position even...) are already promoted to bigger and better things. I've applied to 12 jobs internally over the course of my career, and have had only 1 interview. I don't even get interviews at this company now...

I think I need a clean slate, I'm probably going to find a new job in a new location and move. Hopefully, with my new knowledge about myself, I might be able to curb the personality traits others find negative. Thanks again guys!

I suppose if you really would like to know then you could find a specialist in diagnosing ASDs to test you. I'm guessing you live in US? I don't know how things work over there but you could get your answer. No diagnosis can really be 100% mind you.

Yepper, I live in NY state. However... there's not really any places I can find near me... I'm thinking of moving to Texas before long, I'm willing to hold off on official diagnosis for now. Frankly, where I work, it wouldn't really help me, as the people I work with already expect a certain set of mannerisms from me, and my work relationships are kind of beyond repair. There's only one person here who will engage in consistent conversation with me. The only person who keeps me sane, frankly.

Their overlooking you for promotion is unfortunate. Sounds like it's time to look for a new job. Do you have to relocate though? That's two big moves in one - and could be overwhelming.
As for diagnosis, it's probably not worth the bother. Adult autistics are written off by the medical community. Their angle is treatment at a young age to mask the autistic behaviour. Unless you want disability benefits, there's no point. There are no services for adults with autism. Alas, it is too late for us. lol

Thank you all for the advice so far. This has been my first post, and I appreciate being made to feel welcome with all of these suggestions!

I guess I wouldn't have to move... but I'm not too fond of NY, and I figure why not get all of the excitement over at once?

I kind of had that inclination about services and adult Asperger's/Autism services... I guess an official diagnosis is something I would like, but not of the highest priority. I guess I also didn't want too come across as a "pretender" , if you will, to other people. Even though I've never felt more sure about anything in life than this.

Yeah ...remember that you don't have to defend yourself to anyone - you know yourself. Societal acknowledgement is not likely for this generation. But, you have gained an insight into your experience of the world. This makes you stronger because you are aware of your weaknesses.
If you live in New York State and want to explore new experiences, I can think of a lot better places to go than Texas. What about New York City, Albany or even Watertown? The last is in my neck of the woods and I can tell you it's beautiful.

Sorry, but please stop badmouthing Texas. It's like a knee-jerk reaction from anyone in any place that is not Texas.

And usually, the person saying these things doesn't have enough information to say it.

First of all, it is a MASSIVE state with many cities and there is a huge range of people and lifestyles. There's no ONE truth about "Texas." And it's ignorant and narrow-minded to think so. It's also typical East Coast BS and blindness. I've had this from east coasters TOO many times.

I can't speak for the whole state of Texas but there ARE certain cities that are fabulous places to be, it's just that nobody who hasn't been to those particular spots ever hear about that.

Also, not all of Texas or Texans are Republican, right wing, gun slinging, or Bible quoting. Or any of the cliched stereotypical bull sh!t that other people think 100% of people are there. All the major metropolitan areas have massive communities of -- well -- lets just say "all the opposite."

If you, OP want to move to Texas, I can recommend Austin. Austin's only problem is that it's been such a wonderful place to live for so long, that too many people move there! It's beautiful, it's spacious, there is an intense art community, music of all genres, highly intelligent, creative people, it's a hi-tech industry hub, and there is racial, religious and sexual-orientation acceptance by the boatload. The University of Texas is actually a highly respected center of research. Rents are steadily soaring unfortunately but are still behind east and west coast rents. There are MANY worse places to be. In fact most years Austin comes up on nationwide lists of "best places to live in the United States." Don't believe the BS from people who don't even know.

Uh- oh, hope we don't start a fight here. D:

Don't get me wrong, NY is beautiful. I am just, how shall we say, politically inclined to leave. I'll avoid delving further into the topic because I don't want to start a fight. Suffice it to say that NY is beautiful, but is not my thing in other areas. I am more inclined to Texas (Austin especially) because political climate, climate climate, and I want to go somewhere new, I guess.

That, and I look pretty good in a cowboy hat.

Colorado was actually one other place I was consdering.

That, and Idaho. Coeur D'alene is beautiful... North Dakota was another state, but it's just too darn cold... and I want to be able to grow hot peppers, so...

Yeah, but anyhow, I think I'm going to hold off on seeking official diagnosis for now. I'll give it a good try when I settle somewhere else, and if I can't get one, I can't get one, and I'll cope with stuff on my own in that case. Thanks for your suggestions everyone.

A diagnoses is a tool used by doctors to define a series of ailments or disfunction's a person has and needs help applied in those areas.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a disabilities causing inability or great difficulty with Socialization, Emotional understanding, Sensory processing and obsessions, fixations, and repetitive or ritualistic behaviour.

A Diagnosis is only necessary if you are not functioning well on your own and causing problems in your life or people around you frequently and long lasting.

In my personal opinion ASD is being over diagnosed, there are people out there who are functioning fine with little to no issues but are getting diagnosed anyways. Its really not necessary.

If you are finding you are having these problems...
- Difficulty holding down a job
- absents of a job or schooling due to anxiety, social issues or other
- failure to seek any form of relationships (severe isolation)
- Chronic depression and Anxiety
- Medical problems caused by anxiety or depression
- Panic attacks that interfere with the ability to function independently
- Failure to meet basic needs of ones self (cleaning, bathing, feeding, toileting ect)
- Harming self or others
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
- inability to handle minor stressors
PLEASE seek a diagnoses ASAP, Sometimes if your even having issues dealing with your ASD obsessions you should seek a professional diagnoses but if your doing well on your own you should do fine with a self diagnoses..