• Replies 84 replies
  • Subscribers 115 subscribers
  • Views 10174 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Does an official diagnosis help

GreenGardener

Hi. I have been seeing a therapist for about two and a half years now. We have recently been talking about my possible autism. My therapist has said that although she can't diagnose me, my charatiristics/ things that I struggled with would probably be categorised as autism. I have done research myself  and through speaking with family members, think I am autistic.

Is going through with a proper diagnosis worth the appointment s and stress? I am conflicted, some family members are encouraging me to peruse it, others think it's enough that I know myself and can get help in other ways. 

Did getting a official autism diagnosis help other people?

Parents

  • It’s very individual, to some people it helps, others don’t get any help. Many people complain about being perceived as childish or other ways negative by others after disclosing the diagnosis, or hear the “you don’t look like”. Maybe it’s good to discuss it with your therapist (the pros and cons) if you didn’t yet. I myself know, that I would like to join a support group and for that I need dx. It’s hard and complicated for me. If it’s only for knowledge, for me personally it’s not so important. I made myself Tests that indicate quite strong autistic traits, also my therapist suspects me autistic. I think the diagnosis could have helped me a lot if I was diagnosed as a kid. But now I’m not anymore and I won a lot of battles with my own flaws. Like for example meltdowns whenever something was misplaced and I couldn’t find it. 

  • in reply to Alien0n3arth

    Thanks for your reply.  I am already used to ignorant comments such as " you don't like like it" since I was diagnosis was OCD as a teenager, although it can be tiring, you just have to let it go.  

    I think I am also looking to the future and wondering if I will need more support then. My family are very good but if I were to need things as time goes on, a diagnosis could help that.

    I think it's a shame you need an official dx for a support group.

  • in reply to GreenGardener

    The future is a very valid point… I didn’t think about it actually. I had times where I was very highly  productive but now I feel more and more exhausted. Yes it’s sad. Where I live the support group actually does not reply at all, I know there is one in Berlin where I don’t need the official diagnosis, but it’s too far for me. 

Reply
  • in reply to GreenGardener

    The future is a very valid point… I didn’t think about it actually. I had times where I was very highly  productive but now I feel more and more exhausted. Yes it’s sad. Where I live the support group actually does not reply at all, I know there is one in Berlin where I don’t need the official diagnosis, but it’s too far for me. 

Children
No Data