Not sure where to start

Speaking from personal experience (diagnosed at 46) I've found it to be a huge help. I've had years (decades!) of suffering from anxiety and depression and what's helped me is knowing I'm on the spectrum and applying autism-specific strategies to managing my day to day activities. I'm recognising just how much I need to build in "buffer-time", manage information so I don't get overloaded, limit my exposure to certain personality types, check-in with myself with a mood chart to build emotional understanding - the list goes on. Without the diagnosis I'd have been on the endless merry go-round of work-burnout-depression-meds-counselling-return to work.

By having it "official" it also gives me access to various legal protections and adjustments which I personally think is essential in the workplace or in any kind of study. To give a couple of examples -  I've more confidence dealing with work colleagues - so if I ask for the background to something it's recognised that I'm not being difficult or obsessive - it just helps me to process information about a task or things I'm being asked to do. I can safely disengage from situations that are draining - and people will understand that I'm not just "ducking out" - without forcing myself to sit through them and head down the route of an overload or meltdown. 

I can't think of any cons with the diagnosis - other than the build up to the assessment can be a little stressful and the assessment itself can be unsettling. In terms of how I've been able to make sense of my own life and my outlook on things it's been invaluable, not only from a self-management viewpoint but also becoming part of a community and being able to share and recognise experiences in others (listening the other day to how someone struggled with the contrast between artificial lights and darkness in winter had me whoop with excitement - anyone would have thought I'd won the lottery ).

Diagnosis can be a lengthy process. Takes an age on the NHS, private is faster but can be expensive. If you're at college there may be path for assessment for you - if so, I'd suggest taking advantage of it.  Having said that, some are happy with self-diagnosis. Personally I needed something from someone who was qualified to assess it- not only for work adjustment reasons but also to give me some perspective on my personal history.

Best of luck in whatever you decide. 

Speaking from personal experience (diagnosed at 46) I've found it to be a huge help. I've had years (decades!) of suffering from anxiety and depression and what's helped me is knowing I'm on the spectrum and applying autism-specific strategies to managing my day to day activities. I'm recognising just how much I need to build in "buffer-time", manage information so I don't get overloaded, limit my exposure to certain personality types, check-in with myself with a mood chart to build emotional understanding - the list goes on. Without the diagnosis I'd have been on the endless merry go-round of work-burnout-depression-meds-counselling-return to work.

By having it "official" it also gives me access to various legal protections and adjustments which I personally think is essential in the workplace or in any kind of study. To give a couple of examples -  I've more confidence dealing with work colleagues - so if I ask for the background to something it's recognised that I'm not being difficult or obsessive - it just helps me to process information about a task or things I'm being asked to do. I can safely disengage from situations that are draining - and people will understand that I'm not just "ducking out" - without forcing myself to sit through them and head down the route of an overload or meltdown. 

I can't think of any cons with the diagnosis - other than the build up to the assessment can be a little stressful and the assessment itself can be unsettling. In terms of how I've been able to make sense of my own life and my outlook on things it's been invaluable, not only from a self-management viewpoint but also becoming part of a community and being able to share and recognise experiences in others (listening the other day to how someone struggled with the contrast between artificial lights and darkness in winter had me whoop with excitement - anyone would have thought I'd won the lottery ).

Diagnosis can be a lengthy process. Takes an age on the NHS, private is faster but can be expensive. If you're at college there may be path for assessment for you - if so, I'd suggest taking advantage of it.  Having said that, some are happy with self-diagnosis. Personally I needed something from someone who was qualified to assess it- not only for work adjustment reasons but also to give me some perspective on my personal history.

Best of luck in whatever you decide. 

I am currently waiting for my assessment and reading you has given me so much hope... People around me don't really understand why I want to get a diagnosis and also why I am so sacred of going back to work, particularly without a diagnosis. So thank you for those words and for explaining your experience.