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Pursue a diagnosis?

Purple

I'm 37 years old, a mother, have a successful career as a transport modeller... and in recent years, it has dawned on me I'm autistic.  Every time I read a list of traits, I tick SO MANY boxes!  I did an online Autism Quotient test (it said it was Prof Baron Cohen's one) and it gave me a score of 44/50.

I've always had difficulty fitting in - hate social situations, say the wrong thing (or at least in the wrong way), don't make eye contact, know I'm different - so I'm glad there seems to be a good reason for it.

But should I pursue a formal diagnosis?  I discussed the above with my GP (also Asperger's, I gather) and she basically said the wait's really long and I don't sound like I need any support, so she doesn't see the point.  (The context for this was that we were discussing a different health issue and she said I sounded "flat" and I should make another appointment to discuss my mood - so why she now thinks I don't need support, when undiagnosed autism is a leading cause of depression in women like me, I'm not sure.)

I want a diagnosis because I like certainty.  And because if I'm going to bring it up at work (they're all into their Diversity & Inclusion), I don't want to feel like a fraud.  But there are probably people in greater need of a diagnosis than me, so would I be wasting the NHS's time?

  • Thank you all for your helpful replies.  I will persist and see if I can get anywhere.

  • Purple said:
    I'm 37 years old, a mother, have a successful career as a transport modeller

    This is a fantastic achievement!

    Purple said:
    The context for this was that we were discussing a different health issue and she said I sounded "flat" and I should make another appointment to discuss my mood - so why she now thinks I don't need support, when undiagnosed autism is a leading cause of depression in women like me, I'm not sure.

    This, almost hidden away in brackets, contains a lot to unpack. Here might be one of the reasons to pursue a formal diagnosis. I frequently have long patches of depression, and receiving an autism diagonsis helped me see factors that influence the depression.

    Purple said:
    I want a diagnosis because I like certainty.  And because if I'm going to bring it up at work (they're all into their Diversity & Inclusion), I don't want to feel like a fraud

    These - to me - also appear to be sound reasons.

    Purple said:
    But there are probably people in greater need of a diagnosis than me, so would I be wasting the NHS's time?

    Why would it be wasting the NHS's time? If you think there is an issue with your health - physical or mental - then addressing it early would be helpful for both you and the NHS. You don't worry about putting plasters on cuts as you know it could lead to a worse situation if you don't

  • I was in a similar boat - Similar age and life circumstances and got my diagnosis this week. It has given me a sense of certainty and validation of the issues I have felt going through life. Now that I know why I am the way that I am I can seek out some more tailored support without questioning myself. If you feel like it doesn't affect you at all then perhaps self diagnosis is sufficient but if you feel that there are areas that you do require some understanding or support then having an official diagnosis may help.

  • It is not just a question of 'active support', having a diagnosis can help with gaining accommodations from employers, not being discriminated against in job interviews etc. I was diagnosed at 59, and I personally found it very useful. Not materially, as I had just taken early retirement, but as a validation of why I had felt different all my life and as an explanation of my difficulties, limitations and problems. To dismiss out of hand someone who thinks that they have a disability, from accessing a diagnosis on the grounds that they can cope with life, is very poor.