Diagnostic exam in less than a week...

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So I have an appointment with Dr. Lynda Gellar at the NYU Child Study center to undergo a diagnostic exam for AS. I first read about AS well over a year ago, and while at first I drove myself crazy thinking about it and whether I have it, I stopped caring so much after a while. However, after making certain lifestyle changes (namely, sobriety), I'm still finding life a bit hard to manage, so I thought maybe I would settle this question once and for all in hopes that a positive diagnosis and therapy under AS experts could help me to manage my life and to feel better emotionally.

A few people have really warned me about seeking out such a label at this point in my life. For two reasons, I don't think such a label would be a problem for me: one is that I've already, for the most part, convinced myself I have it, so I might as well find out for sure and begin to work on my strengths/weaknesses or have it discounted so I can stop thinking about it. Secondly, while I have struggled mightily at times in my life, I have had plenty of friends, intimate relationships, and long stretches of happiness/productivity. So, I don't think that I would take a positive AS diagnosis as any sort of death knell. Does anyone have any advice about this - that is, the psychological impact of the AS label? I'm hoping that such a label would allow me to relax a little about my mental health, knowing what's going on and that it is perfectly "normal" (as "normal" as AS can be).

Of course, the above is assuming my AS suspicions are confirmed. If they aren't, I won't really know what to do. A lot of my friends with whom I've discussed AS seem to think that I "want" to have AS. This is not the case at all, except for the fact that if I don't have AS, then I will be forced to face the fact that I have issues of OCD, depression, anxiety, social phobia, etc., and I won't have any catch-all underlying condition to explain any of it... a rather daunting scenario, but if that's the case, I guess I'll deal with it, and at least I can take comfort in the fact that I'm officially NT, which is something I have heavily doubted for well over a year.

Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts on any of this or the diagnostic process in general, please post. Thanks a lot.

I would guess that AS is probably one of the only genetic brain disorders whose sufferers are often high functioning enough to self-diagnose. It was my wife who first brought it's existence to my attention, saying: "Read this article, this sounds like you" It wasn't until several years later that I was forced to see a therapist to qualify for disability grants that I discussed the possibility with the therapist, who referred me to a psychiatrist and a battery of psych eval testing, which is what you're about to go through.

I would say if you're that convinced that you fit the symptom list, you probably do. For me, I can't say it really changed anything per se, but there was a sense of relief in knowing that nearly all of the trials, tribulations, anxieties, struggles and failed relationships weren't just bad luck or the diety torturing me for his/her own pathological amusement, but had a rational explanation in a disability that I shared with many others.

A definite diagnosis will not, however, change the way NTs treat you, with irritation, intolerance and disdain. For that to happen, masses will have to be educated to understand that not all disabilities involve visible deformities. As long as you look like the NTs, they will expect you to behave and perform like one. Forgive them, for they know not what they do.

I remember one of your previous posts: http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt32066.html and taking into consideration that both of us have the same social difficulties ( being at variance with a standard way of perceiving AS which sometimes make me doubt if I really may have it) your being diagnosed will only confirm my suspitions concerning myself.

Does Dr. Gellar have a lot of experience dxing adult ASCs?

If not and you don't get your dx, don't hesitate to seek out a second opinion (preferably with someone who have experience with AS, your age range, and your sex).

She does have a lot of experience with adults. Her area of expertise as a therapist is transitioning people with AS into adulthood, which is absolutely perfect for me.

How I fell apart in college - I became very isolated, lost a lot of my goals and motivation, got really into drugs/alcohol, etc. I realize this happens to a lot of people, but a lot of it makes more sense through an AS lens.

And Irulan - cool stuff, I will definitely let you know how it goes.

That's good. Sometimes it's risky seeing a child psychologist even if they are experienced in ASCs 'cause adults can be so different from kids.

I had wondered since it's a child study center.