self diagnosed - should i try to get a formal diagnosis?

Hello,

I'm a 20 yr old woman and after some research I've self-diagnosed with ASD, reading about it made me realize that it just fits. However, I believe I would benefit from a formal diagnosis to get better help for my anxiety and depression, as I feel some of the advice I get from my therapist doesn't work if I'm autistic. Plus I struggle with trusting my own assessment so knowing for sure would help. What is everyone's opinion? Should I try and get a diagnosis?

If anyone is in a similar situation come and chat!

  • I was given the contact details of my local autistic trust by my vocational adviser. The person from the trust visited me to see if I met the criteria for a letter to be sent to my GP. The trust wrote to my GP who referred me to the local hospital who then referred me to the for an assessment. (My GP was not allowed to refer me directly for an assessment because of the way in which such referrals were financed).

    If you have a local Autistic Trust (or a similar organisation), perhaps contacting them may be worthwhile.

  • Well got a reply to my email to an ADHD clinic asking about a formal diagnosis for autism,cost all in£1500, 

    First interview with two health professionals is an interview with someone who knew me as a child,a structured interview (ADI-R).2 1/2 to 3hours.that is then written up and sent to a consultant psychiatrist for review. Stage two,he then see's me and a partner ,about 2hours, If there isn't a person who knew me as a child there will be a specialist interview called an ADOS about one hour.

    diagnosis is usually available straight after the interview.

    so that's about it then, I cannot afford to spend £1500 and although that is less than I expected it is to much to spend out. As I have always said in my posts I am lucky not to have any major worries,I have managed this far and will continue to do so. I will not be offended if I try to help on here and get told"what do you know you haven't got a formal diagnosis". That is a fact! It doesn't stop me caring and wanting to help others and understand myself as well.

    I feel happy chatting on here,sharing things I did and still do without the fear of ridicule or abuse.

  • Therapists should know something about mental health and talking therapies and such but they are not diagnosticians. You would trust a nurse to treat you for a lot of ailments but you would not expect them to diagnose a condition - you need a doctor or appropriate specialist for that.

  • Thanks everyone for your answers and stories! I did all the tests today and got 36 in the AQ, 19 in the EQ and 8/10 in the AQ10. I did the one with the graph as well and it said likely aspie as well. So overall all the tests seem to agree...

  • Yes.  The EQ was 30, which was borderline.  RQ was 25 out of 31.  15 is around the 'norm' on that one.

  • I have done the EQ and AQ tests. Both score's say I am Autistic, my ANT wifey, (ANT=Almost Neuro-Typical) in comparison, almost does not register on the scale. 

  • Are you not like me EITR, your proof is what you have been, and how you have lived to this very day.

  • Have you done an EQ test as well?

  • My AQ was 41 prior to diagnosis.

  • Dear Warrior

    "I feel a fraud coming on here trying to help others when I have no proof of ASD,but I share so much of what others who have formal diagnosis.I actually feel like I am gatecrashing a party. Most of my life I have not fitted in!"

    ditto - but scared about being scrutinised by assessment and being thought to be a fraud (AD score 46)...seem happy to scrutinise myself though!!! The irony!!

  • Hi, I have the odd situation of my DCD (dyspraxia) diagnosis is informally formal. I was working down there corridor from the OT who specalised in the area of diagnosis. A particularly spectacular clumsy moment got her attention and she asked me about neurodiversity. I had a dyslexia diagnosis when I was 15. She ran through the screening tasks with me and told me I'd be in her clinic if I was 8 not 28 :-)

    My partner got an ADHD diagnosis at 45 years old. He's 52 and just been screened for ASD (no diagnosis - social skills affected by PTSD) - I believe formal diagnosis has its place especially where there are comorbid health issues such as depression.

  • Hi to all,for some time I have wondered wether to seek a formal diagnosis or not, I have many reasons to want to know but as I am 54 and life is generally ok for me I feel a bit guilty using precious resources from the NHS, I cannot afford to go private. 

    I feel a fraud coming on here trying to help others when I have no proof of ASD,but I share so much of what others who have formal diagnosis.I actually feel like I am gatecrashing a party. Most of my life I have not fitted in! 

    I did the AQ test and it came up as 36, as I filled it in some of the questions seemed unimportant but maybe they are there to balance the result,if all the questions were autistic traits and nothing but then anyone could come out as ASD?

    I have found a place near me that looks after anyone with ADHD and does testing for autism as they quite often overlap each other. I sent an email asking about cost and just what is involved.they use a phychiatrist to assess.

    On the whole I think I have survived quite well in life,it has been interesting along the way but thankfully not horrible like some people have to cope with. 

    About appearing to be showing autistic traits but not being autistic? Well what a surprise! I have spent 54 years myself of trying to adapt to fit in,I have found coping strategies that work,it is only by coming on here and seeing the so called out of the ordinary things we do that hit me as being about my life.

    things that seemed normal or unimportant to me that are unique to individuals with ASD.

    As others have said if you feel it will help you then go for it,spend time on here reading old posts about receiving a diagnosis as some it is a happy thing but others cannot cope with it. Even when I first read about a women called violet who was diagnosed late in life did I suddenly realise everything she wrote about her life was pretty much my life, I felt happy then sad then extremely angry. My head was all over the place,it took quite some time for me to stop crying.

    best of luck but whatever you decide keep coming here as it is the best place I have ever been.friendly,caring and very understanding.

  • Welcome to the post! :)

  • Thanks for this post, I find you guys very inspiring.  Smiley

  • Martian... please... Wink