Should I go to get diagnosed at all?

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I just learned that if I go to a doctor and get diagnosed with OCD, ADHD and Asperger Syndrome (I have the three of them), then after a few years if I apply to work somewhere, my boss will see that I've been diagnosed with the disorders.

Is there a way for me to get diagnosed without making it visible for everyone I'll work for? I really want to get help with my disorders (especially my ADHD, sometimes it makes my life a hell), but I don't want to get this into my record. Is there another way to get help?

Bump.

http://www.netlawman.co.uk/info/accessi ... ecords.php

An employer can't access your medical records without your consent.

While that is true, allot of employers make you sign consent forms as part of their hiring process. At least in the US.

You can get all the help you want from the medical profession. Just don't get the formal diagnosis. I get help occasionally for PTSD. My shrink says I have PTSD, but I have no formal PTSD diagnosis on paper anywhere.

Can I just go to my doctor (I never saw him before btw) and tell that I have this problem and I need to be treated, but I don't want to get a formal diagnosis? Isn't it mandatory for them to document what am I experiencing, because of formal stuff?

Of course you can. There is no formal "treatment" for AS anyway. What does get treated normally are what you might call "side-effects" from AS. That could be meds and therapy for anything from anxiety to depression to any number of other symptoms. Treatment for those isn't dependent on a diagnosis of AS. It's dependent on whether or not you have them and they are problematic enough for treatment.

But then, THAT would be in your medical record, and your employer will see them. Considering that, what's the big deal about there being an AS diagnosis there too? Most employers aren't even going to understand anything about it anyway. Those that do have a problem with AS being there are going to have problems with the others too. If you want treatment, you're going to have to get over your fear of sharing this reality with people.

Better to learn how to explain it well enough to help them understand how it affects your work, both negatively, and positively.

Don't forget, most Aspies also have strengths directly related to their AS. Learn what they are and SELL them to prospective employers.

Besides, I wouldn't want to work for anyone that had a problem with me having AS anyway so I'd much rather put it right out there from the start, if necessary.

I already have a job. I am in my 24th year of public school teaching. I am currently a junior high Title I teacher helping students in their reading classes. I was diagnosed with Asperger's in 2008. I did not keep it secret. At the time I was working with gifted students on the high school level, and I shared my Asperger's with my classes since there are similarities between the gifted and those of us with Asperger's. Many of my colleagues know I have Asperger's. And it has never been a problem. But I realize I was hired years before my diagnosis.

Now...if I were just now looking for a teaching job, would I have sought a diagnosis for Asperger's? Yes. I would not let the fear of an employer finding out I was autistic stop me. But that is me---that is my opinion. I think you should carefully weigh this out if you have not gotten a diagnosis and are considering getting one. I may have some fairly unorthodox views on things. I would not want to work for an employer who would discriminate against me based on me being autistic. I would not want to waste my expertise on them.

But my employer is fair---I believe. When the gifted program was cut, the school could have gotten rid of me. But they found a way to keep me. At first I was to be a 7th grade writing teacher. I was quite nervous about that considering I was content working with such small numbers in the gifted program. Being in charge of large of students can be overwhelming at times. The school provided for me by making me a Title I teacher in reading. I work with small numbers. I do not have to worry about grades, discipline, homerooms, etc. Although I liked the gifted program better (at this point), the job is fairly suited to me. The Title I teacher I work the closest with is open about having ADHD. And the intervention specialist I work with is open about having ADHD. And of course I am open about having Asperger's.

Of course I'll still be able to find a job after getting an official diagnosis.

No, my reasons for not telling the people I know about my disorders are not related with some sort of "fear". It's just that they (at least some of them) would get a better impression of me if they think I'm normal. I don't want to limit myself to just open-minded people, my performance would be better if I don't. I don't care if my boss discriminates against people with Asperger Syndrome, if the pay is good enough I'd prefer that, especially after I learn to hide my negative autistic traits.

It's a fact that ADHD and Asperger Syndrome WILL affect my performance negatively, so it's in the employer's interest to think of them as negative marks. A smart employer would prefer someone without ADHD (and Asperger, if relevant to the job) to someone with ADHD who has roughly the same skills/experience/knowledge/potential.