What do you think of the self-diagnosed?

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I dunno... everyone should be welcome here, whether diagnosed or not, but it depends greatly whether the person has AS or some other label. Self-diagnosis is reliable since the person knows himself/herself better than anyone else, but there are many labels out there, and it's possible they might have something else, or AS + something else.

I voted for the "tadpole" option although to be honest I kinda wasn't sure which one to vote for. I was kinda in between the "I believe them" and "tadpole" options. I certainly think anyone should be able to join WP.

I am currently self diagnosed
I will eventualy get a proper diagnosis
but I have only come to suspect As recently and need time to built up
the confidence to do so.

Derek I think you are on the right track so hang in there. It took me about 6 months before I would even consider talking to anyone about suspecting I have AS. It really does help to know the truth. Also it helps if you can find local Aspies to get to know. This online forum is okay for cold boring winter days, but I tell you it can't beat talking in person to another living breathing Aspie. Alot of people on here complain how lonely they are or how they can't get a girlfriend, but if they would go to local meetings they might solve both those problems. There are new groups springing up all the time even in rural towns.

I am fascinated that 20% selected "tadpole!"

I selected the "They are tadpoles, just one step above the "not sures." " as the other's did not fit although the doctor does start asking you question's about what you think you have they take it up and start to explore the possible outcomes & if you have a look at one of these disorder book's you will end up been lost….

Would you diagnose yourself as having liver damage? Or something like that – I can point out to machine why my opinion is this way – if he left out he self dx then seek a doctors opinion then I think he left that out…

A lot depends on your age as well,where a proper diagnosis should really take into account what happened in childhood. The problem for those like me,self diagnosed at 47
is that there's not much chance of my doctor finding teachers and contemporaries from my school 35 years ago who will remember my behaviour. A psychologist interviewed me at school but in those days nobody had heard of Asperger's. I know better than anyone else all the symptoms I had in childhood,right down to the AS 'walk' (without swinging the arms). I didn't display the same symptoms at home so my parents didn't know the full story.
I only concluded I have AS after reading hundreds of pages on it as well as other similar disorders. I would never have self-diagnosed based only on checking the diagnostic criteria as they are too vague without going into more background. I haven't ruled out getting an official dx but in my case I have to consider whether that ordeal would actually interrupt the progress I'm making in coming to terms with and adapting
to the realisation that the symptoms fit me.

medical problems - don’t really say what type as it could be - Allergies & the Immune System, Arthritis & Rheumatologic Conditions, Asthma, Bones & Muscles, Brain & Nervous System, Cancer & Tumors, Digestive System, Ears, Nose, Throat/Speech, & Hearing, Endocrine Glands, Growth, & Diabetes, Genetic, Chromosomal, & Metabolic Conditions, Heart & Blood Vessels, Kidney & Urinary System, Learning Disorders, Lungs & Respiratory System, Sexual & Reproductive System, Sleep Disorders, Body Basics..

& fruitless…

Was that after you went back and said I diagnosed myself with this so on – they don’t really have a go at you if you do your own research & that just if you keep coming wanting treatment for this and that and do the test’s and comes back negative…

Not questing you just wondering…

" en_una_isla "

For the record, the information to make a diagnosis is available to everyone. Doctors do NOT have access to secret reading material on the subject. The only thing a doctor has over any of us is 'experience' in dealing with various people, however, some of us have more experience then we think. Everyday, I go to work (or used to be school) and I cannot relate to anyone. Instead, I study them; all of them. I end up watching their behaviour. I can tell how trusting they are, how much they talk, if they are shy or outgoing, if they are athletic, smart, or motivated. I can learn their interests simply by observing them. You can learn many things by watching them and listening to them.

We all have this ability, the only thing a doctor does is apply it as a full time job.

I had alopecia last year. I HAD to make a diagnosis myself because the medical community in Canada is all goofed up and a trip to the dermatologist would (and was) have been a 6 month wait. What if I died during that time? I studied everything I could on 'reasons why I'd lose my hair' and realized it was alopecia. It took a bit of time to realize WHAT severity I had, but even a doctor couldn't tell me that until some time had passed.

I was right about alopecia, and even more so, the doctors told me nothing I couldn't (or didn't) find out on my own.

Again, I suffered with heartburn for 3-4 years. Doctors couldn't tell me what it was. Stress? Bad sphincter that didnt close and separate my stomach from my throat (Grampa had that)? Didn't know. Only guesses and assumptions. But doctors deal with this all the time! Well, turns out it was most likely stress/anxiety. They were right but only as a guess and they didn't inform me of how to best deal with it. Medications didnt work (only stopped the problem as it happened but didn't prevent it (well, one medication did; it only cost over 100 a month)). Telling me to "relax" wasn't enough to fix my problem. Some meditation later, heartburn is gone.

Self Awareness is something you gain through the 'self' and no doctor can give that to you. This is something one must find out on their own. Maybe better worded - realize on their own.

I should add - Dont get me wrong, go to the doctors but when it comes to some things, a second opinion is always good.