Diagnosis: Why bother?

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I'm 25 years old, and recently have been reading about Aspergers and the autism spectrum in general. Reading about it has made my life since childhood suddenly make sense. I am female so I guess I present a bit differently and have learned to blend in and mimic NTs as much as I possibly can, and so I'm wondering what would be the point of even getting a diagnosis as an adult? How could this diagnosis help me at all? Would it just be for my own personal peace of mind, to finally understand why I've been/felt so different my entire life?

Again, I'm just trying to understand how this diagnosis could actually benefit me and if it's even worth seeing someone about it. What kind of 'treatment' is there for someone that is high functioning but feels uncomfortable in many social settings (even though I can blend in/act/fake it, it's very exhausting) and has difficulty keeping jobs (well maybe that's because jobs just suck in general; I'd like to start my own business)?

I'd like to know how formal/professional diagnosis has helped you, improved or changed your life (even if it was a negative life change).

Thanks for any responses.

Sincerely,

Hilikus

Nevermind, not sure why I expected any responses. There is no real Aspergers support/community for people like me.

I am in the same boat. I have always known that I was different, but I never knew how to explain it to others. I have had so many jobs, and my conversational skills are nil. From what I have read, there are some legal benefits to getting a diagnosis. For example you could qualify for medicaid services and maybe have support from the American With Disabilities Act regarding employment. There are also therapists and counselors who specialize in socialization skills, although I am having a difficult time finding any of those where I live. It is comforting to know there are other people like me out there.

First off, welcome to Wrong Planet!

Unless a diagnosis is needed for governmental, medical, educational or corporate accommodations, it yields little more than a confirmation of personal awareness. But, that isn't to say that an adult diagnosis is meaningless. Having one's self opinion confirmed is something many adults seek after a lifetime of doubts and conflicting ideas. A diagnosis also helps certain adults to share with their families and friends something about themselves that they have never disclosed. Armed with a diagnosis, some adults search out social or support groups with peers who have ASD and build new friendships. Finally, knowing about oneself is usually enough for an individual with ASD to seek therapy if desired, or make personal accommodations to take the edge off recognized characteristics that might be seen as socially or professionally interfering.

So, there are some meaningful reasons to seek an adult diagnostic assessment. It has been written by many at Wrong Planet that an individual isn't his or her diagnosis. It is what the individual does with the knowledge of the diagnosis that counts.

Good luck either way!

Hey Hilikus! I'm kind of in the same boat as you except I've known about the autism thing for much longer, I just always refused to accept it.

I'm going in this week to be evaluated by a shrink who specializes in ASD, even though I know I have it. (All those autism diagnosis nazis can commence attack now) lol I know this because not only is it pretty obvious once you read about it, but I have a relative who is a Doctor specializing in autism. She's tried to tell me Im on the spectrum for as long as I can remember.

I was determined to convince her I was indeed not on the spectrum. That was my drive growing up in life from about 13 to 26 (now). Hiding from the fact and refusing to aknowledge any possible short comings that would be related to autism.

It was tough work but if being someone else was my goal it paid off. I might of fooled a lot of people but it came at a cost...all my problems were never dealt with growing up, and just evolved in other mental health issues. I spent a lot of time in and out of jails, mental institutions and different inhouse rehabilitations for issues related to: anxiety/depression/eating disorder and drug abuse....

Those were some of my coping methods and the reprecussions that came along attempting to use them to fix a problem (autism) I "didn't have". It was, as you can imagine very confusing trying to fix something, when I refused to look into the actual underlying problem.

That's where Im at today. I kind of feel like a defeated soul, trying to accept it after all these years. All I ever wanted was to fit in and be able to express myself with others, listen to and relate to others.... Turns out I guess I can't unless I pretend to be someone I'm not.

So I don't know what to tell you I'm sorry this has been really tough for me. I think I need to get a diagnosis and try working that end for once because denying it only works for so long in my case....

Eitherway I hope you do what you feel is best for you. Don't spend too much energy "playing the part"... That role playing left me feeling like I didn't know who I was anymore and I was Sooo exhausted at the end of the scene :/

I don't know why to bother.

I don't see how being told that your mind is totally different than everyone else's and then being judged for it whenever people find out is going to help you.

Maybe some people just want an acronym to identify with.

I don't know

Do you need a diagnosis to prove you have it to other people? Probably.
Do you need a diagnosis to prove to yourself you have it?
Some people do.
I am not criticizing people who need a diagnosis to prove it to themselves.
But I feel like I do not need a diagnosis to prove it to myself.
I know how I feel. I know how I react to things. I know my mind works. I can look at each symptom and see if it matches what I feel and think.
When my sensory system gets overloaded, I do not need anyone to tell me my sensory system is overloaded. It is pretty obvious.