why are self-diagnosed aspies considered "posers?"

Post Reply New Topic

This is why I think psychiatry is a scam these last few decades. A patient presents with problems, and the psychiatrist tries to manage those problems with DRUGS. Then they have you coming back on a regular basis. That is a career for them. They push drugs on ALL of their patients. The relationship is never-ending. EVERYONE has problems and anxieties... and if you PRESENT these troubles to a professional... to a "doctor," then he or she gets to label you, AND they get you to share your problems and feelings. AND, their solution is "medicine," or "group," and medicine. And they get you to keep coming back... forever.

Here in Europe I payed about €500 for the diagnosis.
It was with a clinical psychologist specialized in autism and got afterwards confirmed by psychiatrists from an autism center which I was referred to.
There I payed € 45 per session, but did not had to do all the testing again (I just went there three times) as the clinical psychologist is one of the few in this country who is really specialized and is giving lecture on it.
She is very interested when I tell about WP and how I relate as she said that one learns from the people who have the disorder.

I could have get diagnosed free in another autism center as well, but the waiting-lists were longer than a year and the focus on children.

I am a new member. A few days ago I never even HEARD of Aspergers or "autism spectrum".

I always knew there was something up but could never put my finger on it.

Discovering a couple informational websites on Aspergers', I read and sat with my jaw dropped open as some of the classic signs
described me to a "T" over the years, even traits described when I was a young child barely in elementary school. I simply could not believe what I was reading.

So I guess yes, I could be considered self-diagnosed as it's quite and very obvious (to me) as to what's going on with me.

I plan on getting an official diagnosis when I can afford to do so. Until then there isn't one person who can tell me that my self-diagnosis is BS, because I went into the discovery
process of Aspergers completely by accident. I had no motive nor agenda in doing so.

Yeah, anyone in my family who has sought help from a psychiatrist has received some sort of label and now take and need certain drugs to function in day to day life - it probably does help most of them, but when they find themselves in a position where they're unable to refill their prescriptions or if they miss a dose they are worse off.... Even though I probably present with a greater degree of autism than two cousins I have who were officially diagnosed with Asperger's, I don't get depressed or have a disabling degree of anxiety so I don't need an official diagnosis. I came to the realization recently that one of those cousins has the stereotypical features of Fragile X, she also has a son with classic autism (presents differently to my own) .... I had a conversation with her a couple months ago via Facebook and mentioned how I had figured out I have one of the rare syndromes known to cause autism, I said it was a gene mutation like Fragile X but it was on a different chromosome and usually not hereditary. She said she didn't know what Fragile X was but thought she remembered her sister mentioning that she had it.... Uh.... if her sister has Fragile X (her sister does not have the stereotypical features), then there is a real good chance she also has Fragile X (I don't think it's a good idea that I tell her that though) .... makes me a little sick that this wasn't picked up on and tested for.

Edit: I passed up doing genetic testing on my own son (trying to draw his blood is traumatizing), because when he was first diagnosed there was slight suspicion for Angelman's Syndrome, but I knew if I just waited and he continued to develop that he didn't have that. And they don't test for what I present with, so they would have missed that too.

This makes a lot of sense.

I agree. The whole labeling thing (dxing) is a mishigas. This whole thread is about who is really one of us? But like you mentioned above, once someone presents to a psychiatrist with a problem, then they will start them on "meds." And the meds are addicting. When you go see your "doctor" for another script, you are talking to someone who you believe KNOWS you. These pill pushers could be prescribing sugar pills, and the patients would still become quickly hooked on them... and feel like they can't get along without them.

The diagnosis was first mentioned to me in 2010.




I don't see how this question is relevant to anything, but after. It was reading things on this site that cemented my decision to get assessed.



I saw a psychiatrist from early 2006 until 2010. At first we were dealing with my depression, and I think he wanted to get that out of the way before thinking about AS. He spent much time talking to me to build up as complete a picture as possible of my life and history and to rule out other possible conditions such as social phobia.
I do realise that taking a detailed history over time is not quite as useful as filling out a questionnaire, but sometimes people just have to take what they can get.

Totally agree. I see the pharma reps regularly when I am infrequently at my General Practitioner's office for checkups.
Haven't been to a lot of shrinks, but I suspect the tools they use to hook the shrinks are the same. Vacations in tropical locations and other incentives are often dangled as carrots for the pharma customers (doctors, shrinks, etc) who prescribe drug X/Y because... why not?

It cost me over $2000 (in Canada). Luckily, though, it was covered by the student loan program. I specifically timed it so I would get a diagnosis in university, or else I would not be able to afford one.

Yes, I'm very suspicious of my psychiatrist. She was gone on extended leave from last October to this July. I thought maybe it was a family problem, I don't know. She looked from happy when I saw her though. Some of the psychiatrists that work in the hospital I go to expect you to bow down to them, it's ridiculous.

I'm going to college this fall and I'm covered under OSAP, I wonder if that would help. Maybe if I saw a school counsellor instead and start from there.

Are you sure you havE had an official diagnosis for AS? Normally you would know what the assessment is for, I certainly did and my Dr referred me to a clinic that is the best in United Kingdom, and deals with Adults and also children, it's run by Professor Simon Baron-Cohen. My mum was interviewd too, after two hour grilling , and I had to fill out two questionnaires before I even was accepted for a assessment.
In the actual assessment I was questioned all over again and the psychiatrist observed me and my answers. For example I had not moved the whole time she spoke to me, I scored almost maximum points which led to a diagnosis of Aspergers( Mild). A week later I received a call from the expert and my report later.

I wish I hadn't had AS, but am glad I know what I have.. so I can maybe change career from sport to a solitary job, and also get therapy.

Therapy is only available if you have an OFFICIAL diagnosis, thats why I question whether you have it or not.

Well, depends on the situation, even if you require an official diagnosis for your therapy. It is much easier to find a therapist with an official diagnosis, but not only available with one.

I saw a specialist and did one-on-one work with her before I got my official diagnosis. She didn't require an official diagnosis, though I think she might now because her practice has gotten so big (doesn't need to be ASD now though, NVLD is allowed, or a few other things).

I made it nearly 50 years without having a name for it - that is when I first heard about Asperger's and discovered that I was a good match. I made to 60 without a diagnosis - the diagnosis has done nothing for me. And even for my son it was the diagnosis of dysgraphia that got him a 504 plan in school the Asperger's part of the diagnosis played in it almost not at all. That brings us to the point of the secondary findings on these diagnoses - in reality an Asperger's only diagnosis gets you nothing in the way of support or treatment - So why bother sending the money unless there is some gain - say a secondary finding (I suspect at least some secondary diagnosis are inserted so professionals can collect money.)

So lets see ....
1. This site does not back check claims of diagnosis.
2. Official diagnosis is expensive
3. All diagnoses are entirely base on "Professional" opinion often unsupported (no objective definitive tests exist)
4. Being diagnosed Asperger's gets little or no support or treatment funding (at least in the US)
5. People are already faking Asperger's (often claiming a diagnosis, remember no back checking)
6. We need to gather as many of our kind together as possible to gain overall acceptance.
7. Who knows you better than you.

In light of this what is Sooo very important about getting an Official diagnosis by a "professional" who may or may not be capable, Just to be accepted in our ranks? As I have said before I am just as accepting of any one regardless of source of the diagnosis - the Aspie quiz is probably as accurate as may of the "professionals" out there.

I was over 50 before I heard of AS and I also had that flash of recognition but I always said there was no point in getting a diagnosis unless there was some benefit in it.

Recently my personal circumstances changed such that I needed finacial assistance. Since then a GP, a psychiatrist and a psychologist have all agreed with my self-diagnosis and I am getting the help I need.

Is that "official" enough?

Well, I've been on the waiting list for a diagnostic assessment from CAMHS for about a year; that's why my profile says "Has Asperger's - Undiagnosed". Although if there was the option of "Has Asperger's - Pending Diagnosis," I would choose it.

Last edited by KnarlyDUDE09 on 18 Jul 2012, 6:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.