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Diagnosis Terror

Brontosaurus

Morning all. I've suspected I'm autistic for about 3 years now having been "peer reviewed" by other neurodiverse friends and relatives. Have had mental health problems and presumably burnouts (lost jobs, friends etc) nearly 40 years etc etc. My GP suggested Right to Choose but I'm terrified having read some of the reviews of places clearly unsuitable and providing poor services. Is there really any benefit to a formal diagnosis and does anyone have any advice about negotiating this labyrinth?

Parents
  • Brontosaurus said:
    Is there really any benefit to a formal diagnosis and does anyone have any advice about negotiating this labyrinth?

    The biggest benefit is you know if you are autistic of not. With this you can educate yourself on how to make life better (allowing for your autistic traits) you can find ways to interact with others that are less stressful and you can spot no end of things that can be stressers and can find ways to ease them.

    There is no need to tell anyone - in fact many wish they hadn't because they did not have a positive experience in doing so.

    There is a good article on the assessment process here that should put your mind at rest:

    https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/assessment-and-diagnosis/what-happens-during-an-autism-assessment

    If you are going to do it, do it for you. Knowledge = power.

    I would recommend if finances allow to get a psychotherapist for a half dozen sessions once you have the diagnosis as they can give so many helpful pointers on how to make life better in light of this knowledge - they will be honest and direct and often can help with stuff that you are struggling with (jobs, friends etc) and give you the tools to improve your lot if you choose to.

Reply
  • Brontosaurus said:
    Is there really any benefit to a formal diagnosis and does anyone have any advice about negotiating this labyrinth?

    The biggest benefit is you know if you are autistic of not. With this you can educate yourself on how to make life better (allowing for your autistic traits) you can find ways to interact with others that are less stressful and you can spot no end of things that can be stressers and can find ways to ease them.

    There is no need to tell anyone - in fact many wish they hadn't because they did not have a positive experience in doing so.

    There is a good article on the assessment process here that should put your mind at rest:

    https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/assessment-and-diagnosis/what-happens-during-an-autism-assessment

    If you are going to do it, do it for you. Knowledge = power.

    I would recommend if finances allow to get a psychotherapist for a half dozen sessions once you have the diagnosis as they can give so many helpful pointers on how to make life better in light of this knowledge - they will be honest and direct and often can help with stuff that you are struggling with (jobs, friends etc) and give you the tools to improve your lot if you choose to.

Children
  • in reply to Iain

    I wish I hadn’t told anybody….i had a horrific experience and prior to telling anybody I had everything in my life sorted out, plenty of friends - I was always slightly aloof but kind. I only explored a diagnosis due to self development and I had been reading about it in a journal so I was doing it for a positive reason