Might have asperger's

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I have come to the recent conclusion that I could possibly have AS. This came not long after I came to the conclusion that I didn't have a PD. My psychiatrist suggested that I look into it, and I can honestly say that it fits very well, and I don't know why I didn't look into it sooner. My question is to the folks out there that got diagnosed with this condition: Should I get diagnosed? It seems like there might be some drawbacks to having that in your medical records, but I can't think of any benefits. I don't have the best relationship with my family or anyone else for that matter, and I feel like it will just estrange them further.

Btw, the PD I was referring to earlier was schizoid personality disorder. Can anyone describe the difference between AS and SPD?

Well, if you're financially independent, have no problem functioning well enough to maintain a job and a pension plan, then you probably don't need a diagnosis because you'll never need Disability Benefits, but then if you're doing that well, why do you see a shrink in the first place? I got diagnosed because it was that or end up homeless.

If you're not handicapped by your condition, then you don't need a diagnosis and might not even qualify for one, so why even bother with a label at all?


A drawback to having AS in your medical records? AS isn't an illness, its a neurological condition. Are you expecting Big Brother to send the Men In Black to abduct you because you're insane with the Autiz? Its not curable nor treatable with any medication, so its not like you'd need to claim it on your insurance. If you're not concerned with visits to a psychiatrist in your records, why do you perceive High Functioning Autism as something to be ashamed of?

And I don't understand how it impinges on your relationships with family or others in any way unless you deign to have a conversation with them about it. They don't tattoo AUTISTIC on your forehead when you're diagnosed. Frankly, my parents were relieved to know it wasn't bad parenting that made me so strange.

Pardon my defensiveness, but I just get the feeling that the idea you might be one of us makes you ashamed and embarrassed and you must understand that's a tad insulting to those of us who don't 'think we might' have AS, but know it for a fact and have accepted the label because we live with the very real disability every day of our lives.

Those who have known about their AS for ages and accept it as a valuable part of themselves, are right, it is not something to be embarrassed ashamed about, of course. But I think that when someone is only just beginning to think about AS, maybe hasn't fully researched the idea yet, or doesn't know how others might react to a possible diagnosis, it's natural to be apprehensive and ask yourself, will people treat me differently? Will employers avoid me? Will people be prejudice, if they don't understand AS themselves? It's a sensible question, if like me, you have the 'luxury' opting for getting by without diagnosis if you choose.

But, that said, I can only imagine a diagnosis being a good thing if (also like me) you're struggling in life with a suspected ASD, because then it's easier to explain to people and give some insight and understanding. Those are my reasons for getting assessed.

This might sound silly but, for the first time, I feel like AS explains so much of why I am the way I am. I have spent years being obsessed with my differences and taking any personality test I could find. I just wanna know why I am like this.

Getting a diagnosis would make me feel good. Like I could finally explain to people why I do the things I do. So I can understand just wanting to get diagnosed for personal reasons, unrelated to "impairment" or whatever.

I am financially dependent on an income, and sometimes it is hard to be on top of things all the time. I think because I am of a somewhat higher intelligence that I can drudge through most days just "winging it". No I don't think I'm a special case for Big Brother, but I do feel there is background chatter about me going on. I really hate gossiping. If people have a question about me, they should ask me, instead of stirring up false notions.

Anyway, thanks for the responses