Published on 12, July, 2020
I was talking to someone the other day as they haven't sought after a diagnosis for ASD as they didn't want to regret it later (as they thought an official diagnosis could limit their opportunities after university), and it got me thinking. I did not consider any of the potential issues after getting an official diagnosis, I just wanted some answers. Unlike them, I have had various mental health issues, and I've tried therapy many times to no avail. Obviously some mental health issues can be co-morbid of ASD and with how I am socially it should have been investigated when I was much younger. It wasn't until I was in my early 20's, fed up of wondering why therapy didn't seem to work for me but wanted to be "normal" I started to consider that I may be autistic. So I went after a diagnosis, which has allowed me to give up notion that one day I can be "normal" if I try hard enough, and I am okay with being different now (after getting over post diagnosis grief). So for me the diagnosis was worth potentially limiting my opportunities (even though I'm 99% sure it won't as my interests and ambitions are not effected as far as I know).
I was wondering what everyone else's experiences or opinions on the matter are?
I was only diagnosed a year ago but so far, no, I don't regret it at all. I felt a sense of immense relief that a) I was right about myself after all, despite initially being refused assessment, and b) I really wasn't the lazy, selfish, rude person so many people had accused me of being.
By the time I was diagnosed I was in a job that's a very good fit for me and I've been able to disclose my autism with no negative impact on my employment, so perhaps I'm just very lucky. But on the other hand... the diagnosis is for the person getting it. They don't have to share it with anyone else if they think it will cause a problem.