Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi everyone. I'm 44 years old and have never sought a diagnosis for ASD although it has been suggested to me at various point throughout my life (including by my older sister who has a son with Aspergers). I have what I describe as an "obsessive personality" - when I think of something I can't let it go until I do it or some other "shiny" thing comes along (and I definitely obsess). I don't really understand other people's emotions and have always known I was "different". I don't have friends but that's never bothered me, I'd rather be alone most of the time. It was only in recent years that I realised that I never make eye contact with people and instead watch their mouth when talking to them. I've been described as "honest to the point of tactlessness" and social situations make me very very uncomfortable.
I could keep going but that's not why I am posting. I've always just labelled myself as a "geek" and see it as a positive and I wanted to know, are there benefits to seeking a formal diagnosis at my age?
The negative side of it has always worried me - what if people look at me differently either at home or at work? It's always steered me away from finding out for sure.
Hi Jack
I have just been diagnosed and I didn't expect anything but I actually feel more at peace with myself since my diagnosis. My family have so been more understanding and they say that it has really helped them to understand me and we have been getting along a lot better. We have always been close, but they use to get frustrated with me a lot and now they don't.
I have faced both discrimination in a new job and I have also had my diagnosis benefit me in another new job. It depends of the people and the situation. But as the other person said, you don't have to tell anybody if you don't want to.