No longer seeking a diagnosis - for anything

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After a long session with a renown psychiatrist, I'm rethinking what it all means to have a diagnosis, to know yourself and your limitations regardless of any condition listed in the DSM-IV, and what "normal" is. His assertion is typical of U.S. mental health professionals - if you can function, there is no need to get caught up in labels regardless of what your quirks or shortcomings are; you have to ask yourself, what kind of help do you really need? We are who we are; whatever my weaknesses are, they have balanced out in strengths that I wouldn't change for the world.

Do I agree with everything he said? No. He doesn't believe I have ADHD, for reasons many others would argue (hyperfocusing doesn't negate ADHD.) He didn't, however, argue that I had AS or that I am "on the spectrum"; he asked if I felt having that as a "label" would somehow help me. I said not necessarily; but that as soon as I realized I fit in with the AS crowd, I instantly felt BETTER about myself. I realized that my life turned out the way it had because it was supposed to. That I am the way I am, because in the end those are my stripes and there's no changing them. And that puts me at ease to know that I'm not the only one, and that I can stop comparing myself to the "norm" because it just isn't meant to be that way for me. He said that sort of self-acceptance, in my case (as I'm highly functional), is all that matters. I'm inclined to agree.

Although I disagree with the ADD assessment, I don't want an official DX because I don't want meds. I like my space-cadet self the way I am just fine without them. As far as how I perform professionally, that's where he feels counseling, not meds or DX labels, will help.

Your thoughts, please.

Whatever works for you works for you. Self-realization and self-acceptance are the important thing - not being officially sanctioned. I plan on being evaluated, but even if I didn't, knowing about the Autistic Spectrum has helped me to understand me.

Z

If you're functioning in day to day life and have accepted yourself and who you are because of this... I see no reason to pursue a diagnosis. If you feel you can function better in some areas now because you know thats even better. The thing that matters is that you feel alright with yourself and your life, not what problems you may or may not have.

The reason im seeking a diagnosis is because im not really functioning in day to day life and i would really like some help. If thats not the case for you, then you should call yourself lucky Cant be anything better than going about ones life just like that.

Good luck no matter what you decide though

Sounds good to me. I'm in pretty much the same boat, but I do take meds for anxiety/depression, and have been in therapy for years for same.

I really recommend something called "The Work" by a woman named Byron Katie. What she has to say isn't necessarily new, but she communicates in terms that are pretty easy to grasp, and it's all about helping yourself see things more clearly, and learning to be happy with yourself and your life, whatever your challenges.

Good luck. I'm glad you've found some peace about this.

If you can function than I don't see a reason why you should get a offical DX.
Sometimes I can barely function, sometimes I can.

God for you. I feel the same way.

Awesome. I think you are making a wise decision.

And even if you did get Dx'ed and were put on meds, those meds may do more harm than good. Dunno, but everyone is different. (To those out there that are on meds and they are helping, that is great. I am happy for you.)

As I have become more understanding of AS and have a better picture that it seems mine is mild. Still, at 37, I have had it all my life without understanding what was going on, but I made it this far, I can make it the rest of the way.

If I was in your shoes, I would go out and celebrate just for the fact that this episode in your life proves that being you is a good thing.

Diagnoses are for people who are not doing whatever must be done to be considered a fully functioning adult. Maybe they can't hold a job or can't get a job consistent with their level of skill/education. Maybe they can barely talk to people. Or can't get by in school without specific accommodations.

Something like that, known as "clinically significant impairment", is a prerequisite to a diagnosis. Having the diagnosis then helps you to deal with those limitations. To get the accommodations you need or protect yourself from discrimination or simply explain to people why you are the way you. It's that simple.

How come just God for nomadic28 and not the rest of us?You are not a good evangelist Averick.

This is where it gets arguable of how "fully functioning" I am. Thanks to the internet, many autistics and socially inept people can communicate. Hell, that's how I met my wife! For all my talents, and supposed "looks", I had practically no face-to-face social life. I'm in the military where you virtually can't get fired, and I feel that my frequent incompetence has not only slowed my promotion potential, but in the civilian sector I would NOT be able to hold a job. Sure they put people out of the military if they can't adapt, or keep screwing up. And I'm not stupid, in fact pretty smart so I learn to adapt. And in short bursts of "normalcy" I can get it together long enough to fool some people that I'm capable of anything they throw at me. It doesn't last. In the long run, those in charge of me know better than to count on me for multiple tasks, additional duties, or more responsibility. In fact, I don't know if they look at me and feel sorry for me, maybe there's something endearing about me, but they let A LOT slide so that I don't get into the trouble I would probably otherwise deserve. I hate it; I hate feeling like a burden, like the weakest link. But I go see a psychologist for help, and they tell me I'm so completely functional that I don't need a DX, and that's fine, I'd like to keep thinking that myself. I don't want labels, but if my problem is ADHD with a little AS (or vice versa) it helps to know these things so I don't feel like a hopeless moron who needs to change something I probably can't. But if counseling can help me work around my issues, then I'm all for it. I'm 28. I don't want to be the guy in his 50's getting barked at by a supervisor half his age for being a screw-up.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my quirks. I love my little obsessions over...whatever! I love the fact that I don't need social interaction to have a good time. I love my passion for music, Etc, etc...