Diagnosis; a useful step, or a way for society to label us?

Days away from assessment, after over 2 years wait, and I'm really, really unsure whether to go ahead with it.

I have a career that has had its problems, and that I still struggle to work at the same rate as my colleagues before I am exhausted, but still, I fear this could be put in jeopardy if I get diagnosed as on the spectrum?

Can anyone convince me its the best thing to do? I've read many arguments fore and against, but the fact thst so many people on the spectrum struggle to be included by employers is ridiculous and something I feel I should avoid. A big part of me feels that society might use these labels to supress 'differences' in many ways, and so I think work is only one example where this could play out if I do go ahead?

I know I'm different from very socialble types who crave experiences that I find totally over stimulate my senses, and I know I'd rather be anywhere in the world than in the presence of a group of people socialising, but I also know this same mind gives me capacities for thinking creatively and in unique ways that make me who I am, so why would I want to draw a line round these and add a label that could be used as a negative?

Anxiety, depression and feeling isolated motivated

Confused

Parents
  • Well, I got diagnosed for myself not others, I feel much better knowing I'm ASD than I ever did when I just suspected it. You can tell the world or keep it to yourself, that's your choice. I've told nobody and am happy with that. Would they understand or would they start labelling me? I suspect the latter. Oh, hang on, I think they've been labelling me for years anyway, so maybe nothing would change. I'm confident that I will never regret getting assessed. As I said in my opening line - I got diagnosed for myself.

    Ben

Reply
  • Well, I got diagnosed for myself not others, I feel much better knowing I'm ASD than I ever did when I just suspected it. You can tell the world or keep it to yourself, that's your choice. I've told nobody and am happy with that. Would they understand or would they start labelling me? I suspect the latter. Oh, hang on, I think they've been labelling me for years anyway, so maybe nothing would change. I'm confident that I will never regret getting assessed. As I said in my opening line - I got diagnosed for myself.

    Ben

Children
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