Aspergers on Adult: Should I get officially diagnosed?

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I just turned 31 last couple of months and I have been contemplating of getting officially diagnosed. I always knew that I was different since as long as I can remember but only when I was 26 I found out about Asperger's syndrome and realized that this was the explanation why I'm so different. Before that, my father always joked that I'm autistic because I was always oblivious to things but I never gave it a thought. Now that I'm 31, I don't know if I should just get clinically diagnosed to that I don't look like a crazy person walking around asking for attention by saying that I'm aspie. But on the other hand, I kinda think that it's not going to make a huge difference because I know who I am already at this point in my life.
I'd like to hear what the others think about this, I'd really appreciate your replies and thoughts on this.

Thanks.

If it doesn´t give you social problems, and you are perfectly sure what it is, - then why bother? Never mind what people think, as long as it doesn´t affect your life.
If, on the other hand, you get in trouble due to your autistic ways (socially, on job and such), getting a diagnosis might be worthwhile.

Last edited by Jensen on 04 May 2013, 1:49 am, edited 1 time in total.

I got clinically diagnosed. It feels better to know it wasn't all in my head. Still, I tell people I have it but they don't believe me. I've assimilated well over the years so what do they expect? I'm still the awkward, lonely outsider I've always been.

I didn't figure out I had AS until my nephew was diagnosed when I was 55. my life is set. a diagnosis would not change a thing. if you need benefits or accommodations, that's a different story.

I'd go for the official diagnosis to make sure you have Asperger's and not something else. It'll make you feel better in the end, I think.

Yeah. Look to get officially diagnosed.

I am a year older than you and I am finally trying to get diagnosed. Like other people said, it depends on what you want. If you want the validation, need benefits, go for it. You may learn interesting things about yourself in the process. Like the psychologist I see sent me the diagnosis criteria and mentioned in the e-mail that I fit part of it because I do the rocking thing when I come to see him. It totally shocked me because I didn't realize that; I would have sworn that I was sitting still when I was in his office. And then there are the little things people mention on the forum that I never realized were related to Asperger's Syndrome. It's like a bunch of little epiphanies, and it has become a mini-research project of mine. If you like that process of discovery, diagnosis could be good for you. If you are like me, and kind of clueless as to how other people see you, getting a look at yourself in the eyes of the specialists during the diagnostic process could be interesting, and it can shed light on interactions you've had with other people in the past as well as the future.

On the negative side of things, depending on your health insurance (or lack thereof), there's also the waiting for appointments, possibly having to travel to see specialists, money issues, etc. to think about.

I'm looking forward to taking some tests and stuff because I think they are super fun.

I realised very late in life and have been officially diagnosed. On the one hand it brought closure to a life of being a little different but on the other hand I am struggling to come to terms with it. Like Starkid, the report from the psychologist revealed things I was not aware of and I am more self aware now I think. Without the diagnosis, I would always wonder if my self diagnosis was correct. I came to the conclusion I had AS following a bad time in my life and the knowledge would certainly have helped me understand as I was having some serious 'meltdowns'. It would also have really helped in my career. I had a very good career but at the end, I was told I was 'wierd' and changed to a job I didn't like. I could have had support to help me understand why I was perceived as 'wierd' and could not have been discriminated against.

Yes. I´d say the same. I too have just been through a job-trial where many of the problems had to do with my aspie-lite traits.
I know now after having had an unoff. dx and a talk about things, that I actually always percieved as my personal flaws.
(Oh, the guilt!).
I even had an explanation to the sensory stuff, which I thought of as neurotic, or perhaps a micro-micro brain damage.
Now I go for an official dx to show that the senseless labelling, I have been subjected to were rubbish. I need that.

Thanks for the posts and thoughts, I'm planning to see a psychiatrist and get officially diagnosed as soon as I have the free time.
I don't think that it will change who I am much but it seems being officially diagnosed is a lot better and trying to figure out things myself.

Salvatore - I had similar thoughts before my diagnosis. Prior to the diagnosis, I wrote several very long documents – one explaining why I was seeking a diagnosis and another describing "stuff" that seemed to represent my symptoms of Aspergers.

Below is an excerpt:

"So, a more interesting question is, 'Why do I want to know'. Well, this like everything in my life is complex. If I do have Asperger’s, it will explain a lot of things. And, knowing that my wiring is different, it will help me make better choices (relating with people especially my family, employment wise, etc.) so I can have a more satisfying remainder of my life. As it is, I have been trying to pursue a neurotypical lifestyle. If I am not neurotypical, I should not be doing that. As, it would simply continue to frustrate me.

On the other hand, if I do not have Asperger’s then I am interested in exploring what has caused these Asperger-like symptoms?"

The similarities between Aspergers and other "conditions" are staggering (in terms of commonalities of symptoms). And the treatment options differ based upon the diagnosis. As such, I am an advocate of diagnosis.