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At what point to seek a diagnosis?

java

Hi,

I read that if you're seeking a diagnosis your life needs to be negatively impacted to have an official diagnosis, how is that quantified? Is it accidentially offending people and being written off as weird or something more obvious such as very public meltdowns (where you scare normal people or they start pointing etc)? 

It is obvious that I have Aspergers particularly since I was diagnosed with coeliacs and are no longer glutenated, and have had problems since childhood (with examples in the diagnostic criteria). I don't think there's any doubt that I wouldn't 'achieve' a diagnosis but I don't know if it's impacting my life enough to warrant one in the eyes of the NHS. I am holding down a part time job (working with the public but in a very niche way which happens to be my interest, although there is major friction between myself and my manager which could be explained if just told her), I can generally do what I want but the things that make me happy are quiet and organised, I'm in a loving relationship, the problems come when I've done too much or I'm totally overloaded otherwise I can hide it well(ish).

I would like to go into a busyish place (cafes, events, days out) without bursting into tears/rocking etc because of a coffee machine screeching or someone bumping into me unexpecetdly. I can predict it sometimes so I generally run away and hide somewhere quiet but others one second I'm fine and then the next one not so good. It would be great to go do the weekly shopping trip without needing time to recover because the noise and the visual information is like being hit in the head with a hammer. 

What line do you have to cross for them to take notice?

I'm terrified about going to the doctor, I went through the mental health system for 3 years because they thought I had bi-polar tendancies which looking back now is laughable and that was utterly hourrendous. In fact, the only reason I wasn't discharged fairly quickly because I was overwhelmed in an early session, couldn't concentrate and ended up bouncing my leg unconciously...she pointed it out and told me it was weird and they kept me in the system for another 2.5 years which made everything so much worse.

I'm sorry for the long post. I think it may have come to a point where I need some help and I'm really scared.

Parents

  • It is difficult to know when and how to seek diagnosis. I am not sure I would get a diagnosis myself as I function well from day to day. However, after suspecting that I might be on the spectrum for two years I kind of feel that it has become a problem not knowing for sure. It is hard to describe, but in esscence I have never felt that I fit in and that I am like other neurotypical people. Therefore the constant question is, why do I feel like that? Finally through discovering more about ASC I feel like I have found something that might potentially be a fit. Is it not natural to therefore want to seek a definite answer?

    I therefore think it is hard to get across that even though you may function well, it is still a problem for you inside perhaps? That is how I feel about it. I wonder how many people later on in life wonder if they are on the spectrum and never approach a diagnosis. I know that like the posts here, I too am terrified to go to the doctor which is kind of making me think about seeking a private diagnosis. I just want to know, I am not looking for any help or support just an answer.

    I am currently going round in circles about it and I agree it is scary. Good luck

Reply

  • It is difficult to know when and how to seek diagnosis. I am not sure I would get a diagnosis myself as I function well from day to day. However, after suspecting that I might be on the spectrum for two years I kind of feel that it has become a problem not knowing for sure. It is hard to describe, but in esscence I have never felt that I fit in and that I am like other neurotypical people. Therefore the constant question is, why do I feel like that? Finally through discovering more about ASC I feel like I have found something that might potentially be a fit. Is it not natural to therefore want to seek a definite answer?

    I therefore think it is hard to get across that even though you may function well, it is still a problem for you inside perhaps? That is how I feel about it. I wonder how many people later on in life wonder if they are on the spectrum and never approach a diagnosis. I know that like the posts here, I too am terrified to go to the doctor which is kind of making me think about seeking a private diagnosis. I just want to know, I am not looking for any help or support just an answer.

    I am currently going round in circles about it and I agree it is scary. Good luck

Children
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