What should I say to my doctor?

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So, like a lot of people here, I spent most of my life feeling disconected from the world, like there was this big secret to life that everyone knew but me. At a young age I started noticing that I was different and eventually just resigned myself to the fact that I may never understand why...and then, I stumbled upon the term Aspergers and suddenly I thought "Holy s**t...I'm not the only one!"

So, I've now gotten to the point where I think I may have Aspergers, however, I dont want to jump to any conclusions and I certainly am not able to diagnose myself. Nor do I want to. It has gotten to the point, though, where I feel I have more than enoug evidence to believe this may be an answer to the questions I have been asking myself since I was a child.

My concern is this: I am not good, unsurprisingly, with talking to people in general, much less about personal stuff.

How should I talk to my doctor about my concerns? What words should I use and how should I phrase them? I dont want him to think I have already decided I have this because I certainly have not, and I dont want him to think I do not value his professional opinion by revealing that I have already given this great thougt without talking to him about it. But he isnt a psychologist, he is just my family doctor. What if he laughs at me when I say I think I may have this or what if he does not take me seriously? Should I avoid using the word Aspergers altogether or avoid mentioning anything sepcific and just ask him to refer me for non specific reasons? Can i ask to be refered and not have to say why or does it need an actual reason?

I am very anxious about this conversation and it has so far kept me from acting on my desire to seek a professional diagnosis. Any advice will be greatly appriciated.

Request a psych referral. If he asks why, say "because I'm the customer and you're the employee." How AS can you get?

hehehe!

OT: I just said to my general practitioner: "I'd like to get a referral to a first line psychologist.".
And she replied: "I never refuse such a request. Here you go!".

But if they refuse, do not back down. THEY are not a psychiatrist, they're a general doctor...

i went through the same problems and thoughts about telling my doctor. i ended up saying about the same as you write in the two first parts of your OP. i mentioned my speculations about AS and NVLD, nothing wrong about that. tell your doctor everything that you might think is relevant, it is your doctor who should pick out the relevant parts. if he refuses you or laugh at you, walk out and get another doctor. and remember, you are the one to best describe your situation. hope this is helpful. good luck.

i think the difference is the feeling of understanding the world, not actual understanding
"The moment a man questions the meaning and value of life, he is sick"