Diagnoses or not??

You’re most welcome! 

Thanks bunny really appreciate all those links I'll have a good read and yes that's a good idea talking to my mental health team x

Ah thank you white dragon. Yeah exactly I don't really see the point in gaining one. Glad no one's chased you. Crikey 1 point that's very close x

Just wanted to say hello and welcome, nothing much to add to  what has already been said. I too right now am satisfied with self identification, apart from feeling like a performing flea I’m not sure what benefit I would gain by having a formal diagnosis. I can understand people needing the validation or for work reasons etc but for me I am ok with the conclusion I have come to. Nobody here has chased me….despite being a fearsome dragon!

ps you and Lorus beat me by a point on the AQ40!

You might find it helpful to have a read through this guidance from the NAS. It includes discussion of self-identification, links to insights from other autistic people, potential benefits of a diagnosis (like helping you to access support that meets your needs, such as reasonable adjustments at work, or access to social care and benefits), and more:

NAS - Deciding whether to seek an autism assessment  

You might also find it helpful to read through some of the guidance on mental health conditions. According to the articles, some of these - such as bipolar disorder, which you asked about in a different thread, anxiety, depression, and OCD, for example - are believed to occur more often in autistic people than in others:

NAS - Mental health conditions

Please know that I'm not trying to persuade or advise you either way about seeking a diagnosis. Just offering some resources that you might find helpful in reaching and feeling more comfortable with your own decision.

Perhaps the risk that you fear (ie your existing diagnosis and support being removed) is also something that you could discuss further with your GP, or with other medical professionals who are involved in supporting you for your own, existing mental health diagnosis?

Thanks lotus that's very interesting to read .I've decided to self diagnose too. And I scored that too!! X

Hi and welcome to the community. I'm a long standing member here and I decided not to get a professional diagnosis because 1. My doctor said I wouldn't get any support if I had one, 2. I was worried that I'd be told I wasn't autistic, because I had masked for decades to fit in before realising I could be on the spectrum, and 3. After talking to people on this forum I felt comfortable to self diagnose as I felt at home here and that I had things in common with other members.

Just a bit of background information: I'm a woman in my sixties and realised I was on the spectrum when I was in my fifties. I score 42 on the AQ50 autism test. 

I hope you find this forum useful and enjoy chatting with us.

Thanks overwhelmed underwhelmed I'll have a read that sounds very interesting. And you are right that's very true. All it is is a bit of paper at the end of the day. I know I have it that's as far as I'll go. Thanks again x 

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/meltdowns/all-audiences

There's a lot of information here - including sensory causes - just move on past that part if not relevant. 

I think the important thing is to identify triggers to your meltdowns and try to avoid them as the article would suggest.

There isn't 'treatment' for Autism - you are correct.  If you are certain yourself then let that be enough.  Nobody can take away your right to self-determine.

Thanks for the reply Profdanger that's interesting to know thanks for pointing those things out I didn't know any of those things x

Thanks for the reply overwhelmed and underwhelmed . Thanks for the reply. Yes I think I'll just self diagnose it makes more sense to me I have done some tests which came back quite certain. Its not like there's treatment for autism anyway . Can I ask how you cope with meltdowns? Mine are horrendous but stress indused rather than sensory x

Welcome Purplemoon2008!

 overwhelmed & underwhelmed ( O & U ) (overwhelmed) nailed it in regards to self-diagnosis. I’d also recommend taking the Autism Spectrum Quotient Test, as that is a great way to gauge where you stand in the spectrum.

Purplemoon2008 said:

I don't know wheather there's any point seeking a diagnosis?

Well an official diagnosis can potentially be beneficial in getting accommodations for the workplace. Not always, but it can. The only potential negative that I know of that can come with an official diagnosis is that some countries won’t let you immigrate if you have an official diagnosis. Weird, but it is a thing. If you’re planning on moving to New Zealand any time soon, don’t get a diagnosis lol.

Welcome to the forum.

Yes and no. 

You can self-diagnose.  People here have taken self-administered tests and been content with the results.

It really depends on how badly you need a 'professional' verdict.   I see your dilemma - there is always a risk that someone might interpret your assessment in a different way, and it may not go the way you anticipated.  

Why not take an online test to see what the result says.  There's a fair degree of accuracy in them - it may suggest if you are borderline or more heavily inclined to be found Autistic at assessment? 

https://psychology-tools.com/test/autism-spectrum-quotient