Getting tested / Just a label

I asked my doctor about getting tested for aspergers, and he said as an adult i could only do it privately, and it would be just a label which wont change anything.

Is that right?

I'm 48. Struggled all my life with depression, anxiety, social situations.  Been in the same job 30 years, probably because I can't face job interviews.  And now that my job security is not looking so good, my anxiety is through the roof.

My long term partner, who works with children thinks I have aspergers.  Reading up about it, it fits me to a tee.

  • Yes I think your right.  I do want to know, just for my own peace of mind.

  • Getting diagnosed definitly helps. It just feels so good to have that confirmation, you feel validated

  • Hi,

    of course that's not right. 

    I'm 47, not diagnosed but i'm sure i'm on the spectrum. We need help. And we can only get the proper help if we get the right diagnose.

    Doctors can't help us. They don't understand verbal autistic people. They think if u are "functional" u are ok. And we are left alone dealing with our anxiety.  

  • Thank you.  Yes, I got kind of lucky with a job, although it has been tough at times.

  • Thank you that's very helpful. I first reported my depression to my GP when I was 18, and been on an SSRI for 15 years, when I started getting panic attacks.  So yes, I have a history in my medical records.


    I pulled out all the fluorescent bulbs above my desk in the office, and brought in a table lamp. Nobody seemed to object. :)
    This was long before I knew it may be linked to any condition I might have.

    I'll try my GP again.

  • Thanks. Can I ask how much it cost?

  • This is exactly how I felt. However, getting the diagnosis has helped me pick up on a couple of things I didn't know I had even I had like mild face blindness. It will also help you find out what sets you off and how to avoid some of it.

    It is not entirely bad to hold a job down for thirty years. Spare a thought for those of us who have never had a long term job.

    I recommend you contact either the NAS helpline or Autism Initiatives. 

  • Hi ,

    You may like to look at our information about autism spectrum disorders:
    http://www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is.aspx

    If you were interested in finding out if you are on the autism spectrum, you would need to have a formal diagnostic assessment. You may find it useful to have a look at the following link for further information about diagnosis and the benefits of getting one:

    http://www.autism.org.uk/about/diagnosis.aspx 

    Furthermore, it is important the professional you see has experience of autism spectrum disorders. You can find details of diagnostic services on our Autism Services Directory in the Assessment and diagnosis section:http://www.autism.org.uk/directory.aspx

    You may like to have a look at the following page which includes personal accounts, which may help:http://www.autism.org.uk/about/adult-life/stories.aspx

    It might also be useful to pass on information about autism to health professionals when seeking a diagnosis. The following page includes information for a range of health professionals:
    https://www.autism.org.uk/about/diagnosis/professionals-involved.aspx

    If you have further questions, you may like to contact our Autism Helpline team. They can provide you with information and advice about getting a diagnosis. You can call them on 0808 800 4104 (Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm, Friday 9am to 3pm).Please note that the Helpline is experiencing a high volume of calls and it may take a couple of attempts before you get through to speak to an advisor.

    I hope you find this useful!

    ChloeMod

  • It is not the case that you can only do it privately. You have a right to be assessed on the NHS. There are NICE guidelines and Autism strategy stipulating that adults have the right to be diagnosed.  https://ndsa.uk/content/your-right-to-a-diagnostic-assessment/

  • The other thing I meant to add is that prior to understanding about the light sensitivity, I assumed the headaches were due to the stress of the job which lead to me feeling shame, embarrassment, low self esteem and anxiety. Once I experimented with asking for lights to be turned off and wearing sunglasses to meetings (I just said I was light sensitive, after the first couple of times no one noticed), taking more breaks when in bright rooms and just leaving early if I felt a headache coming on, I realised that I was competent and could manage the stress of the job perfectly well in fact. It also means that if there are office changes afoot, I can ask for reasonable adjustments to be considered for me which are actually very small and low cost in practise but can make a huge difference. For instance, I cannot cope when there is no natural light so I could ask for an office with windows. I also find it helpful to visit places in advance so I can mentally prepare myself, and positioning in a room is quite important so I don't end up jumping in fright every time  someone comes in (I can't help it, I'm very jumpy and this is part of my difference). It's about having different wiring, and having rights under the Equality Act. Go for it I say

  • Do you have anything on your medical records about your depression and anxiety? I got referred through my local mental health team, but a friend of mine went to his GP. I prepared for the appointment I had with my RMN by printing out an article about Aspergers and also printing out my results from a couple of online tests. One of the tests you can access online is very similar to the one they use during diagnosis: the AQ - if your score is 32 or more, then the recommendation is that you get properly tested. I was diagnosed at the age of 44 and I found it incredibly helpful in terms of learning to manage my depression and anxiety differently. I've learned so much about my triggers just through having a different lense through which to view my reactions, so I'd definitely encourage you to go back to the GP armed with the above and insist on a referral. You've waited 48 years, so what about waiting list?! You can wait a bit longer, it would be worth it. A good example is that I have a very stressful job. I used to suffer terrible headaches after meetings and assumed it was due to the stressful situation, but once I had the diagnosis and started to notice and take seriously my sensory sensitivities, I noticed that the lights in meeting rooms are usually way too bright for me. I started experimenting with either turning the lights off (when reasonable) or wearing sunglasses to meetings (I just explained that I was light sensitive and would probably get a headache otherwise), I even got some sunglasses cheaply online that are similar to my normal glasses so I didn't feel so silly. Anyway, that's it, result is the complete end to 2 to 3 day severe headaches! Good luck

  • You are entitled to an NHS test if referred by your GP, but the waits are long, so some people (me included)  went private. 

    He's right in that a diagnosis is just a label and there isn't much you can do about it - except easing your workplace situation. My wife plainly refuses to accept my Aspergers diagnosis (agrees about our eldest son's diagnosis though :(