• Replies 26 replies
  • Subscribers 95 subscribers
  • Views 865 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

Benefits of a formal diagnosis?

Danjo

I am a 54 year old man and have done the ASQ and other online tests and have scored consistently in the autism ranges. A lot of my life experiences make more sense now - including extended bouts of anxiety and depression, insomnia, situational anxiety, introceptive confusion and others. I am wondering now about the benefits of a formal diagnosis. I’d welcome advice from others.

Parents

  • Rather than getting a formal diagnosis, I’m thinking about just getting some CBT counselling. I have tried CBT before but never through the lens of being autistic and never with a counsellor who specialises in autism. Has anyone tried autism- directed CBT and has it helped? I feel trapped in thought cycles (overthinking) and am struggling to unmask fully. Would be great to tap into others’ experiences. Thanks 

Reply

  • Rather than getting a formal diagnosis, I’m thinking about just getting some CBT counselling. I have tried CBT before but never through the lens of being autistic and never with a counsellor who specialises in autism. Has anyone tried autism- directed CBT and has it helped? I feel trapped in thought cycles (overthinking) and am struggling to unmask fully. Would be great to tap into others’ experiences. Thanks 

Children
  • in reply to Danjo

    I have had plenty of experience of CBT, all of which happened before I knew I was autistic. I found it useful, but it never helped deal with some of the deeper issues which I now know were caused by trying to fit in a non-autistic world.

    I have piles of old CBT worksheets, some of which have been useful to help me move on since diagnosis. I just work at  these on my own now.

  • in reply to Danjo

    I had initiated talking to a counselor at the same time I decided to pursue a diagnosis, mainly as I was at a point where something needed to change as I clearly wasn't coping. 

    It was interesting as by the time I saw her, she said she'd sometimes has clients where they realise they are autistic but she says you only need to do a diagnosis if you need it for work or personal acceptance, otherwise she doesn't push people for one (she doesn't diagnose but has experience with people). So yeah, that is an option. 

    I've only had a few sessions and have mainly just been telling her my baggage and she's helping point stuff out, I don't know if that's CBT, but speaking to someone is helping I think.