Diagnosed by Psychologist or Doctor?

[Nacho]

Hello guys, I wanted to present this simple question for everyone that's reading this and has been officially diagnosed.

I'm writing this on behalf of my mother, since she and I kind of coordinated to get in touch with a psychologist and she gave me a negative diagnosis of Aspergers. However, after a thread I opened about it, I was wondering if a psychologist diagnosis was less effective / accurate than a doctor's.

What was your diagnosis and what kind of proffessional diagnosed you?

 

[seanyboi1983]

Where a psychologist may describe you as just neurotic, my experience was that a consultant may be more likely to know and understand that high functioning on the surface is usually key to the term "hidden disability".
I guess there is no reason why a male couldn't hide his "traits" or blend in like an aspie female for example.

I always thought I'd had adhd and was just astoundingly creative. All my schools missed it regardless of serious behavioural issues, my parents cast me off as a bad child, and so forth it goes until employed life became too much resulting in 8 months of therapy.

My therapist was concerned I was bipolar and refered me to a consultant doctor who diagnosed ASD amongst others.

I'd go to a fully qualified person in my experience. If what your after is a diagnosis for support then yes I'd suggest a doc. If it's not support then it's up to you mate

 

[Myway]

I have a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome and I am not sure who diagnosed me since I was 14 at the time of diagnosis, but I would say that it was between a doctor and psychiatrist who diagnosed me. I say that because I went through almost three years of testing for it. My mother knew I had it and was persistent about s diagnosis. I would say go with a doctor's diagnosis. They are usually better at things than other people.

 

[wanderer03]

I was diagnosed officially by a psychiatrist. That much said, my psychologist agrees 100% with the diagnosis. My psychologist said that autism isn't very well understood by many mental health professionals. I found two that are experienced with it.

I lucked out in that even my primary care physician concurs because she has a son and husband on the spectrum.

I guess it helps to find professionals that really understand and know that autism is a spectrum of symptoms.

 

[StephF]

My psychologist diagnosed me , now I am waiting for a formal assessment of what help I can get. There is however a LONG waiting list.

 

[Spiller]

I self diagnosed then asked my GP, who agreed unequivocally.. her interest during her internship was psychology and she has 6 other Aspie patients besides me, so some experience there.
My psychiatrist was neutral at first, then he may have read the printout I gave him of my symptoms, social difficulties and stims as he was happy to diagnose me officially himself, without a psychologists assessment..

.. I will admit to a little current distrust here as it seems to be all happy agreement now, after 15 years of trying to get help.. but I'll still take it as official.

 

[wanderer03]

It took me nearly 20 years to begin getting the needed help.

 

[Progster]

I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist.

 

[SameStars]

Asperger diagnosis. By a psychologist, who had experience in the field of ASD in children and teens.

 

[RidingDutchman]

Diagnosed with aspergers by a psychologist. GP's over here don't give diagnoses like that, don't know the exact rules on if they are legally allowed to do so anyway.

 

[Aspergirl4hire]

Hello guys, I wanted to present this simple question for everyone that's reading this and has been officially diagnosed.

I'm writing this on behalf of my mother, since she and I kind of coordinated to get in touch with a psychologist and she gave me a negative diagnosis of Aspergers. However, after a thread I opened about it, I was wondering if a psychologist diagnosis was less effective / accurate than a doctor's.

What was your diagnosis and what kind of proffessional diagnosed you?

My psychiatrist is a specialist in OCD, and because ADHD is sometimes comorbid, he'd been treating me for those, and I asked him, "Do you think I could be an aspie?"

He said, "It wouldn't surprise me at all...I don't think you need a formal diagnosis, don't waste your money. Just keep taking workshops." Or words to that affect.

 

[artfull dodger]

Diagnosed first by therapist that is trained and licensed by the state in ASD among other things. Then backed up with a psy. Dr when I was trying to see if I could get benefits. Officialy Aspie here! Mikie

 

[psychgirl95]

Whether you're diagnosed by a psychologist or an MD really shouldn't matter. What matters is their experience with autism and whether they acknowledge that older adolescents and adults may have coping mechanisms that make them appear "less autistic." For example, during my assessment, one of the psychologists (whom graduated with her PhD from the college I attend) brought up the psychology honors program and asked me about my thesis. When I told her I wanted to study the differences between girls and boys with HFA, she thought it was a great idea and agreed that it was an area of research that needed to be looked into more. So she acknowledged that girls with ASD may not look exactly like a boy with ASD. However, all clinicians don't acknowledge this. Some still hold the belief that if you can speak or make eye contact, you're not autistic. *rolls eyes*

I don't have an official diagnosis yet (my feedback meeting isn't until October 7th), but my evaluation was done by two psychologists (at least I'm assuming they were both psychologists - though I believe one was more of a school/educational psychologist, but I don't really know for sure). One gave me the ADOS and WAIS and the other (the one I know is definitely a clinical psychologist) interviewed me (and my mom while I was taking the WAIS).

 

[SenorDomino]

I was diagnosed at a very young age by the family doctor. As I grew up I doubted the diagnosis as I didn't have the best childhood and thought my differences could be due to bad experiences with people (I'm mainly anxious, distrustful and have difficulties socializing). Now I'm not so sure. Doesn't really matter either way though.

 

[Marmot]

I was self-diagnosed until I tried online dating a couple of years ago and (quite interestingly), was paired up with a licensed therapist / Emergency Room psych ward admin: I figured I couldn’t sweet talk my way out of this one, so I came out to her as an aspie after our first date at which point she said “Yea, that was a given from the second I saw you, but are we going out again ?” -And that was pretty much what I call my official diagnosis....... We ended up not working out as a couple, but we’re still very good friends to this day.