Hello from Scotland

[Gordy]

Hello,
I am 46 years old and work very hard at controlling my "Aspergers like" symptoms.
I say this because I have not been formally diagnosed.

Basically I spend all day acting. I have learned, over the years, how I would be expected to react in certain situations. In fact I was coached in a lot of this by a clinical psychologist.
The problem is it leaves me feeling pretty exhausted and as I am in a new relationship its getting quite difficult to maintain.

What I would like to ask people is if they think getting a formal diagnosis would be helpful or unhelpful?

The whole issue came up when I was undergoing therapy for depression with a hospital based clinical psychologist ( a few years ago now).
She said that I almost certainly have aspergers and that she could do a formal diagnosis if I liked, but she did not think it would make any difference having the diagnosis. I declined at the time.
Looking back i can see that she had asked me all sorts of questions which would have got the right information out of me.

Having known and pwrked with people with Aspergers, my symptoms are at the milder end, but still socially debilitating.
I have no close friends other than my partner and I don;t feel i am missing anything - except I need to find a best man for my wedding next year.
I may have to hire an actor.

So, to diagnose or not?
And what affect does this have on families?

Thanks.

 

[Judge]

Welcome to AC, Gordy. One thing I've noticed in reading so many posts here, is a distinct pattern of those who had self-diagnosed only later to have it confirmed professionally. I'm self-diagnosed as well. While I consider my traits and behavior mild, it seems that there are few of them that I don't manifest in some way. Leaving little doubt in my mind that I'm practically a "poster child" for AS. I also have comorbidity in the forms of clinical depression and OCD.

Yes, mimicking Neurotypical behavior just to be tolerated can be exhausting at times. And it doesn't always work for me. Being in my late 50s it's a relief to be able to put all the missing pieces together, but presently for myself I see no real advantages in seeking a professional diagnosis.

 

[Gordy]

Thank you for your comments. Looking at my childhood I can see many of the behaviours and issues I had as being typical aspergers symptoms. I suppose the only advantage of a formal diagnosis would be to confirm if I was handling the day to day issues in the best way possible. I will leave it for now. One issue that is quite live for me is my career. I currently have a very senior job, slightly out of my comfort zone. My obvious career progression is even further from this and I don;t think i would be able to cope. Maybe I just have to be happy with where I am and look for something similar when my current contract runs out.

 

[Gordy]

Just to update this thread that I was eventually diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder by a psychiatrist.

 

[Progster]

Congratulations on your diagnosis

 

[Gordy]

Thanks,
The advantage has been that it got me the support I need for my anxiety. My symptoms are not severe but I score very highly in all the tests. Growing up I had to adapt. As best as I could.