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

JT

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

  • I had my diagnosis because I was feeling lousy and the general anti-depressant stuff wasn't working. Now I understand that I process things differently it's brought a lot of my life into focus - and allowed me to connect through shared experiences with others on the spectrum,

    I disclosed to my employer - just to make sure I had reasonable adjustments in place and wouldn't be messed around. I also told colleagues I work with because there will be occasions I need to step back from meetings and discussions because of overload. It's odd because I'm not masking as much any more - but then working from home I can relax a bit. I'm now a bit of an advocate as the (rather large) organisation I work for has dedicated resources on diversity - everything except neurodiversity. I'm working to change that.  

    Society will always find something to discriminate against - but it can start to move in the right direction. I've seen a huge change in mental health over the last 30 years from never-mention-it to lets-have-huge-campaigns-to-get-talking-about-it. Conversations are not just about not being well, it's about being well and staying well.

    Looking at the autism spectrum and other conditions, the term "neurodiverse" is a positive change in language (I recognise that it is controversial term in some circles as it depends on how much it impacts the individual with day to day living). I'm in a bind sometimes with my diagnosis - it limits parts of my life in some ways (social) but in others not at all (projects, research, fact-finding, living alone). Is my autism a disability? Well it can impair my life in certain situations - but then so can my fear of heights. The things I *need* to do are a bit annoying, but then so is making sure I eat my 5 a day and take regular exercise. If anything I'm a bit more self-aware about how important it is to take care of myself. 

    Honestly, if you go for your assessment and you get diagnosed - it's up to you whom you tell. Take it one step at a time - the reasons you made the decision to go for the assessment in the first place is the thing to focus on. If you decide to see it through and get the result, then's the time to decide what to do with that information

  • in reply to Ethan

    Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like it hasnt really been good or bad, just another perspective on troubles you were already dealing with? Im sorry you too are struggling with these things. I'm glad home working has been good for you, I think this will be true of many now they are more able to choose where they work.

    Ive been happy with the shift to home working, but the overwhelm in tech applications now has become a new strain on my senses. Stairing at a screen without a screen break (because I dont need to attend meetings or similar) 35hrs a week means by the end of the day/week it takes me about a day of feeling like I'm in a ball of cottonwool before I can start thinking straight again.

    Ive just become a Dad for the first time, so that is ultimately what is kinda forcing me to stay with the idea of the assessement. If I can stop him struggling through life in any way possible like I had to then I'd be doing the best by him.

    Just can't decide. Feel like, if I do it, then I'm finally accepting what ive thought for years, that I am different. But Ive always enjoyed this perspective out of choice, now it seems it might be that it actually wasnt ever a choice. That subtle difference has got me in knots about my identity

  • in reply to JT

    Yep, with home working there is that thing about taking a bit more care. I'm terrible for getting lost in my work and not stepping away, getting some fresh air or walking round the block just to give my eyes a rest and some movement in the rest of my body. I'm booking an hour out for lunch just so I can lose myself in prepping a meal and re-orientating away from a screen back to the real world.

    Congrats on becoming a dad by the way GrinningThumbsup

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  • in reply to JT

    Yep, with home working there is that thing about taking a bit more care. I'm terrible for getting lost in my work and not stepping away, getting some fresh air or walking round the block just to give my eyes a rest and some movement in the rest of my body. I'm booking an hour out for lunch just so I can lose myself in prepping a meal and re-orientating away from a screen back to the real world.

    Congrats on becoming a dad by the way GrinningThumbsup

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