Should one be professionally diagnosed?

[Momo]

What I was younger, 11 I think, I was having a lot of issues with anxiety and a supposed unknown learning disability which my psychologist at the time concluded was likely Aspergers. I kept her report, copied it of my parents desktop, but an official diagnosis was never made because my father didn't want the stigma of an aspie child or to pay the money for a diagnosis. I was wondering if I should possibly go through with an official diagnosis myself, I already have a lot of the background for it as I participated in a university study as a kid for 'childeren with learning disodrers' and that also showed significant evidence for Aspergers. I was just wondering if there's any point to it, if it might help me with schooling and so on (like getting into university), and how to go about getting a diagnosis. I know that Aspergers is still condsidered a condition in Australia. Thank you.

 

[xudo]

Ultimately, it's up to you. Some people are happy self diagnosing, while others (like myself) would prefer to have an official diagnosis. It was easier for me to get one than many here, because in the UK healthcare is free. Having an official diagnosis is a benefit in many ways, because it does mean that you can access a lot of help that is out there which many times you simply cannot without that piece of paper.

 

[WereBear]

It is very much a personal decision. Ask at the university about what conditions get consideration, and what those considerations are, for instance.

 

[Southern Discomfort]

If you're thinking about education then do you think you could benefit or need extra help in it? If you've always struggled a bit compared to your peers then, yeah, consider getting a professional to diagnose you.

Ultimately an actual diagnosis is to make sure you can access the services that would otherwise be inaccessible to you, whether that's mental health care, carer assistance, education purposes. If there's none of that need then it's not generally needed.

 

[Momo]

If you're thinking about education then do you think you could benefit or need extra help in it? If you've always struggled a bit compared to your peers then, yeah, consider getting a professional to diagnose you.

Ultimately an actual diagnosis is to make sure you can access the services that would otherwise be inaccessible to you, whether that's mental health care, carer assistance, education purposes. If there's none of that need then it's not generally needed.

Thanks, I generally do struggle in certain areas in my learning and usually end up having to put in a whole lot more effort self-teaching (not that I mind, but it can be difficult) because tutors and so on do not understand how I learn.

 

[Southern Discomfort]

Thanks, I generally do struggle in certain areas in my learning and usually end up having to put in a whole lot more effort self-teaching (not that I mind, but it can be difficult) because tutors and so on do not understand how I learn.

Perhaps that's is your answer then. If you can afford it, or can reason with it as an investment into your future beyond education then I say go for it.

 

[Kirsty]

an official diagnosis was never made because my father didn't want the stigma of an aspie child

Yes. Go for it for your own peace of mind. It's your life and you shouldn't have to live around not doing so to make others feel comfortable. It's free if you're in the U.K. I haven't checked your profile to see where you are, sorry.

 

[paloftoon]

I was in a situation where I didn't get a diagnosis not only because of that "stigma", but I probably would not have been treated like a human being back in that time and back in a rural area where I was a minority race on top of that. I ended up being forced to get the diagnosis mid 20s, and it has not become useful at all until a stroke of luck last year to be part of a program. I've been able to do much on my own thankfully. It gets frustrating once in awhile if I do mess up socially, because appearing to be socially inept is not attractive even if it's believable to people in said situations that you said or did something weird or quite out of character.

 

[Judge]

It's actually a rather complex question, IMO. Perhaps first and foremost it may well depend on what your intentions are regarding seeking a formal diagnosis. If you're seeking or considering government entitlements, most assuredly you'd need a professional diagnosis to validate financial support. Then again if you're just curious and want to know for your own edification, a formal diagnosis may not be the best of options if your resources in securing one is limited.

Though I think anyone should be aware of the potential consequences of seeking and securing such a diagnosis as well. The possibility that once you are formally diagnosed through a professional medical system, that your neurological profile becomes a matter of record, for better or worse. Whether a formal diagnosis ends up being of assistance to you, or officially stigmatized with a "scarlet letter", can't be guaranteed one way or another IMO.

And of course what may heavily influence both available government entitlements as well as the potential consequences of being formally labeled autistic, is whatever nation you reside in relative to its social welfare system in place. If it involves a national healthcare system it may not take up significant resources for you to obtain such a diagnosis, although you may predictably have to wait a long time to secure it.

Then again if you're living in the United States, we have no national healthcare system comparable to nations like the UK or Canada. Where you may have to simply shell out thousands of dollars for a proper diagnosis from a psychiatrist or neurologist. In essence, someone who at the least holds an M.D.. Depending of course on whatever healthcare plan you may or may not have.

And perhaps above all to be wary of the DSM-V diagnostic protocols, where you just might discover that it functions more as a system to restrict or deny a positive diagnosis rather than to confirm it. To realize how limited support for autistic adults can be depending where you are in the US. In my state as is the case with many others, you may find that autism programs are something geared to help children- not adults. Where it may appear as if there's no such thing as an autistic adult.

 

[Streetwise]

according to the net you can get an autism diagnosis on Medicare at some Uni clinics as long as you have a confirmed mental illness
if you HAVENT go to your gp

 

[StephF]

Ask yourself what would you gain from a diagnosis and why you feel you might need one.

 

[Kirsty]

according to the net you can get an autism diagnosis on Medicare at some Uni clinics as long as you have a confirmed mental illness
if you HAVENT go to your gp

Thats interesting. I know Medicare is an American thing... however, I don't agree that having a mental illness is the only way to have an autism diagnosis as many with autism are not mentally ill.

 

[Streetwise]

thats one of the ways in oz to get reduced cost obviously universities have an agreement with Medicare
in Australia they have an insurance system you get a rebate if its a child receiving care not adults in Victoria
there was mention if publically funded autism diagnosis clinics in other states but not which states

Thats interesting. I know Medicare is an American thing... however, I don't agree that having a mental illness is the only way to have an autism diagnosis as many with autism are not mentally ill.

 

[Streetwise]

i hope my diagnosis means i wont be looked on as a hypochondriac IM so tired after 45 years

What I was younger, 11 I think, I was having a lot of issues with anxiety and a supposed unknown learning disability which my psychologist at the time concluded was likely Aspergers. I kept her report, copied it of my parents desktop, but an official diagnosis was never made because my father didn't want the stigma of an aspie child or to pay the money for a diagnosis. I was wondering if I should possibly go through with an official diagnosis myself, I already have a lot of the background for it as I participated in a university study as a kid for 'childeren with learning disodrers' and that also showed significant evidence for Aspergers. I was just wondering if there's any point to it, if it might help me with schooling and so on (like getting into university), and how to go about getting a diagnosis. I know that Aspergers is still condsidered a condition in Australia. Thank you.

 

[Streetwise]

to clarify no publicly funded clinic in the state of Victoria a mention in 2009 of diagnosis rates of Aus $ 200-400 but could be higher

Ultimately, it's up to you. Some people are happy self diagnosing, while others (like myself) would prefer to have an official diagnosis. It was easier for me to get one than many here, because in the UK healthcare is free. Having an official diagnosis is a benefit in many ways, because it does mean that you can access a lot of help that is out there which many times you simply cannot without that piece of paper.

 

[Suzanne]

I think that it is better to be officially diagnosed and if a chance came my way, I would go through it, because I feel that I would be treated a bit better; was as at the moment, because it is just a "perhaps" and I look "normal", it is hard for NT's to treat me accordingly.

So, I think that it would benefit you if you did get an offical diagnosis.

 

[WereBear]

On the whole, I am glad I went and got one, even though it has not done anything concrete. I don't get any job protections, I'm already out of school -- twice -- and even if I should seek therapy for coping strategies there is no one qualified near me.

Where it has done wonders for me is how I view myself, my struggles, and has helped me craft a self-care plan. Knowing I definitely have it let me tell some people close to me, and it explains my health issues which have baffled everyone. My constant bouts with pneumonia and sinus infections have stopped.

My sleep is much improved with a weighted blanket (in summer a weighted lap pad, which is much cheaper and might be a fine first step) and I use a Brainwaves app (binaural programming on my iPad) to help me sleep and reduce stress.

I take niacin and eat a low carb diet for anxiety -- now that I know I have anxiety. I realize what my shutdowns are and pay strict attention to their early warning signs. I came here and am learning so much!

After years of groping around trying to figure out why my body was so messed up, I know now what was going on, and what to do about it.

Official, or not; doesn't matter nearly as much as addressing the real source of the problems.

 

[Streetwise]

be aware for UK undiagnosed members if you get a private diagnosis the n.h.s may or will not recognise it
they think the therapist giving the diagnosis was only say yes because you are paying
sweeping generalisation

Ultimately, it's up to you. Some people are happy self diagnosing, while others (like myself) would prefer to have an official diagnosis. It was easier for me to get one than many here, because in the UK healthcare is free. Having an official diagnosis is a benefit in many ways, because it does mean that you can access a lot of help that is out there which many times you simply cannot without that piece of paper.

 

[Judge]

be aware for UK undiagnosed members if you get a private diagnosis the n.h.s may or will not recognise it they think the therapist giving the diagnosis was only say yes because you are paying sweeping generalisation

A mere therapist diagnosing such a complex condition? You'd think if people were going to pay outside the NHS they'd insist on nothing less than a board-certified MD specializing in neurology, psychiatry...etc. to optimally validate their case. I know I would if if came down to pursuing government entitlements.

 

[Streetwise]

i SA

A mere therapist diagnosing such a complex condition? You'd think if people were going to pay outside the NHS they'd insist on nothing less than a board-certified MD specializing in neurology, psychiatry...etc. to optimally validate their case. I know I would if if came down to pursuing government entitlements.

i say therapist as i.DONT have the strength to list the professions