Does an official diagnosis help

Hello.

I'm new here but thought I would contribute to this.

I've been diagnosed 14 years, I was diagnosed with Aspergers. It helped me gain some answers as to why I was so different and that then led to me feeling less lonely when I realised there's thousands of others like we all across the world. I grew less frustrated with myself and have started being kinder to myself, it's improved my mental health all round really.

The way I saw it was I had nothing to lose seeking a diagnosis and a whole lot to gain. It's been more rewarding having my diagnosis than I ever imagined.

I hope whatever you decide on doing it brings you happiness :)

Me and my wife got an official diagnosis for my daughter (paid for service, not NHS) because we could see she was struggling in her life and she was about to start secondary school, so we wanted her to get the support she needed. It wasn't until after my daughter's diagnosis that I considered I could be autistic too, it just never occurred to me until the assessors explained how genetics could factor in, and then a lot of things felt like they clicked into place.

I ultimately decided not to get myself diagnosed. Aside from some potentially off-putting things like the wait time (or cost), I just realised that, for me, getting a diagnosis or not wouldn't really change the world around me. I'm probably very lucky in that I don't think I need many adjustments in my life/work to get by, though I do now understand what I find difficult and what I found difficult in my past. I understand though that some people do need additional support, and a diagnosis would give validation to that. I'm able to make this decision and move on knowing more about myself, but that is because of my own unique circumstances, everyone is unique and special in their own way.

I also know that "self diagnosis" is a bit of a loaded term these days, and some people will consider that in a derogatory way. So I also try to not make much of it, only the people who truly care about me know because I told them, which is my family and my 2 closest friends.

Those are both great reasons to pursue a diagnosis! One thing I did  before being assessed was, if I related strongly to a particular autistic experience, I started unmasking that part of me, and creating better systems in my life (though, I did this with help through work - it helped I already had an ADHD diagnosis and my work were supportive when I told them I was pursuing an autism diagnosis too). 

So, the GP wasn't supportive straight away. I ended up arguing with the first GP  I won't go into it but basically he thought I was trying to get undiagnosed with ADHD (i don't know where he got that from) and didn't listen when I tried to correct him. But, I complained and the second GP was fine. 

As for the assessment, it was one appointment that took approx 4 hours, and i broight my mum along for the develomental history part. I know some places break it up into more than one. Then, 3 weeks later I had the 'feedback session' where they told me the outcome. 

I'm still waiting on the full report that theyre posting out. Hope that is helpful information for you

Thank you. 

Yeah I have seen a lot of people saying the validation was so important for them. 

I do feel I having been looking for that in therapy and haven't fully found it. 

Thanks for replying. 

Oh thanks for the tip, I have heard about long wait times so I guess I would just have assumed that would be why an assessment was taking so long. 

* choose

Thanks for replying. 

I think I am looking for some validation, I have found therapy helpful in managing my anxiety, however, the more I progress in that area, the more questions I have about how I process other things. 

I will look into that, haven't heard of ' the right to child's .

Thanks for replying. 

I'm glad your diagnosis helped you, it does seem for a lot of people to help with their guilt and feelings of not living up to certain things. 

Thanks for your reply.

I'm glad your diagnosis helped you. I didn't realise that there would be such a detailed report, I thought it would just be a kind of yes or no thing. 

Although it has only just come up in conversation with my therapist, I have wondered before if I'm autistic, so it isn't something that has gone away. I do think after people's replies that it has helped a lot of people to know.

For me it did, it answered questions - I hope you find what you need. 

I think it depends.  I work so I didn't feel I could ask for adjustments without a diagnosis (although I could have done).  It isn't a silver bullet though and you will still find that you need to advocate for yourself a lot as many people don't understand what it means, or what it means for you.  However, it did help me in terms of validation as others have said and helped get rid of some of the imposter syndrome.

If your GP refers you for an ASD assessed make sure you get as much information on were the referral has gone too and the status of the referral so your regular updated. My assessment took 5 years because the GP sent my referral to the wrong place then lost track of it completely. Then i had to harrass the GP to send another referral to the correct place before eventually getting assessed and diagnosed. I've heard "right to choose" is really good i eventually got assessed by psychiatry Uk which is also recognised by the GP and NHS 

I do believe it helped me - it gave me validation for the feelings I'd long had (and hid) about myself, and it allowed me to give myself permission to explore ways in which I could adjust my lifestyle.

Look into the 'right to choose' - this allows you to go via your GP and the NHS, yet be seen to by another provider for your actual test and diagnosis (I went with Clinical Partners). For me, it meant going onto a waiting list for about 10-12 months rather than 5 years.

I did have some initial troubles going through the process - my GP outright refused to listen to or help me, but fortunately the lady at the desk in the GP's office was super helpful and rang a couple other people and found an answer for me and got things moving.

I've was officially diagnosed on the 17/4/25, I had mixed feelings to begin with, but after suffering all my life with mental health issues and triggers and the guilt of how I behaved around other people, the diagnosis gave me instant relief from my guilt and understanding of who.i am and why I do what I do. It took nearly 5 years to get the diagnosis but it was worth it. I've started to relax a bit more and not mask as much. So a diagnosis can definitely help

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. 

A diagnosis helped me accept who I am, and why I do and used to do certain things. It explained how and why I have difficulties with some things and it highlighted my strengths and abilities.

I have had a lifelong struggle with my mental health and diagnosis improved my self esteem and gave me more confidence. The report was detailed and it explained why I am the way I am. I found it helped me to let go of long held guilt over my behaviour and failings. 

I think that the decision of whether or not to seek diagnosis is largely dependent on the individual’s personality. Some people will be quite content to self diagnose and that is enough for them, also they may not need an official diagnosis for things like their employment. Others may need the assurance of an autism diagnosis and feedback report.

Thank you. Hope you and your son find the proper support. 

Thanks for your reply. 

I think it's in many ways. In social situations, in staying in a jobs, coping with change. I have done some therapy to manage my anxiety but it has raised more and more questions of me being autistic. 

The rest was helpful and did indicate autism. 

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.