Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi everyone,
Being new here, I'm quite surprised as to how many of you guys are self diagnosed.
It makes me wonder whether I shoud have done the same:
My route to diagnosis was started by the psychologist I see for my arthrits.
He brought it up in conversation one day and suggested I contact a colleague of his who could formally diagnose.
I would add that I suppose I self diagnosed myself as "very "quirky indeed" as a teenager.
Many other non qualified colleagues, acquaintances, and family members offered their own diagnosis over the years.
I'd never say to someone..."I reckon you've got Asperger's, mate"....Is that not a bit forward/rude?
Anyway, I saw specialists for ADHD and ASD.
For ADHD, I scored 9/9 for combined type and, athough my ASD1 report is not in yet, the psychologist told me it was crystal clear I had what was previoulsy referred to as Asperger Syndrome after less than 1 hour.
I think I am one of those people who only listens to, or even trusts, specialists:
The problem with that is you either end up on waiting lists for ages or pay huge private fees, or both.
What do you guys think?
I went ahead with getting a diagnosis (following a therapist's recommendation) and I'm glad I did. I'm the kind of person who needs to have something that I can hold up and say 'Here it is - proof and validation'. Up until then, all I was getting was random diagnoses (dismissals?) of 'anxiety disorder', 'depression', 'SAD', etc. That was from doctors. From other people, it was 'anti-social', 'fussy', 'rude'. I got used to hearing 'Everyone gets down days. Take yourself out for a walk and get some air. Find a hobby.'
Getting the diagnosis has helped me tremendously. I now get taken a bit more seriously by others - though I still get the old 'That's not autism - everyone gets anxious' lines wheeled out to me on occasion. My mental health has improved now that I have something to pin it on. My whole life now makes sense to me. Also, I can ask for reasonable adjustments in the workplace. They know I don't like my routine altered too much, and I don't like overtime, and they're fine with working around that.
From referral to diagnosis, I waited just over 2 years. But it was worth it.
It isn't the key to everything, of course. People can still be funny and narrow-minded about it. Some people struggle to accept that someone in their own family, for instance, has a 'condition'... like it's a stain on the fabric. They're the minority, though. I'm open about it with everyone I meet and work with, and generally they're accepting and understanding. We have some interesting discussions, and I'm able to destroy a few myths. Small things - but that's how these stigmas eventually get broken down, I feel.
Nice reply, thanks.
A 2 year wait is long though - You did well to last that long - Others would have despaired
Hi tom, I need the I need that validation too, I tried to be the real me at work and at home,
all it did was upset and cause problems at work, I got all the usual things that are said” oh I get like that” or “ just stop researching it then” my boss said “ well get the diagnosis and you can start being normal again! We can see you are struggling! But if you do then try and make a double appointment either first thing or last thing so it doesn’t loose you money!” More like it will interfere with work. I am a junior manager, I have allocated jobs which means I am needed to do admin, do health and safety etc, so days off are difficult to cover,
I decided to put me back in his box, he isn’t happy but it saves him from being pushed around and not understood, So here I am on behalf of myself, coping,changing, saying what he thinks, acting his part for him, at work I shape shift to fit whatever the need,
Everyone said “ good for you mate,all that was doing your head in,better go just forget about it!” Cheeers all, I apologise for letting the real me out amongst you.
Yes I am angry as I seem to cause pain wherever the real me goes. Sorry folks on a downer, I will crawl back up out of this hole,,,,,,maybe?