Diagnosis vs. Non-diagnosis?

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Hey every1
After a few weeks of reading on the internet, I'm pretty sure I have at least mild AS... but I'm wondering if getting a diagnosis would have a negative impact on me. I've already been diagnosed with ADD, but I've always felt "different" and out of sync with the world around me. By now I've can kind of function socially, but its just hard work in all honesty (making grammar mistakes on purpose, minimizing my vocabulary, using disqualifying words after statements with larger words so I don't appear to know everything, making a list of statements to say when different ppl say hi, etc...)

I remember when I was diagnosed with ADD and at first i had this feeling of relief, but then after awhile it became an excuse. I'm scared that if i get a diagnosis I will just "give up" socially, which is the last thing I want to do. But at the same time there's the question of whether I'd be better off socially with therapy and a diagnosis (or at least some help controlling my anxiety).

So ya... were you guys better off before or after a diagnosis? (btw any type of diagnosis can respond)

Thanks

I don't think there is such a thing as 'mild' AS or Autism in general any more than one can have a 'mild' case of the crabs but people argue this point constantly, mostly people who have crabs, not AS.

Fisherboy,

If you are the kind of person that is looking for a reason to give up, you will find one or, failing that, create one. In this case, a diagnosis won't matter one way or another.

If, however, you are the kind of person that doesn't give up easily, and wants a second opinion on whether you understand yourself as well as you think, so that you can have a strong foundation for working out how to overcome your version of life's challenges, then a diagnosis will probably have a positive effect on you.

For many of us, particularly those old enough to grow up when little was known about autism and AS didn't even have a name, diagnosis was a major step toward truly understanding and accepting who we are and making at least some sense of the confusion we experienced on a daily basis for many years.

There are a number of threads on this topic where others have described the effect on them quite eloquently. A must read if you are considering whether to go for an assessment.

My diagnosis has made me more aware of the things I can't do or do very poorly. I was only recently diagnosed so I think it will take time for me to accept it. It does have some positive points too.

Unless there are specific services (you need) available for those with an official diagnosis, then I recommend that you keep the diagnosis unofficial. Maybe if you want to know for your own information, you can go to the doctor under a different name or ask the doctor to keep the diagnosis off the record. Having an official diagnosis will cause discrimination against you by insurance companies, and the military (if you are considering a career in the armed forces).

I was diagnosed officially with autistic disorder when I was a young child. My family moved to a different state, and this diagnosis for some reason didn't follow me. I went to a neurologist last year due to migraine headaches, and he recognized (and diagnosed) me as autistic right away. He said that the MRI also agrees with that diagnosis as well. In Florida, being autistic will keep you from being able to get health insurance. Being autistic is a sure way of being disqualified for military enlistment (if they find out). We are beginning to fight for equal treatment, but we have a long way to go.

My diagnosis really had no effect on me because, I already knew beforehand. Actually, I'm the one that brought it to the attention of my shrink.

Discovering that I had AS was a positive experience, in the beginning. It answered alot of questions that I had about myself, and gave me some peace of mind. After a while though, I began to realize that it wasn't so great to have AS, and the more I thought about it, the more depressed I got. Presently, I still struggle with depression and it comes and goes. I think I've accepted the conditions of having as, and feel that the majority of my depression comes from the fact that I'm unemployed. I do know I was much happier when I was working, and am feeling kind of useless without a job.

I am now considering abandoning my pursuit of SSD and attempting to re-enter the workforce. If a good job comes my way, it will definitely be very tempting. Plus, I just started a new med, and am feeling like I might be able to do it, actually I know I can. I'm just waiting for a decent job to come along. They seem to be pretty rare right now.

Sorry to stray off topic.

Both +/-.

Wow, thanks for the prompt responses.
Sounds like it really just depends on my personality... but these responses caused me to think of something. Since there's no single medication for AS and it's treated symptomatically... Couldn't I just go to my doctor with all the symptoms I have and get them treated? Especially since everyone is different in the symptoms they exhibit anyways. I would also be avoiding the issue of equal treatment and higher insurance rates on my car.

The only issue I can see is if i really do have some other mental disorder that can be treated at the source instead of symptomatically, which I kind of doubt.

After my diagnosis things got better for me, I suddenly got help and Social Skills lessons and stuff like that. It also helped me learn a lot about myself.

I was diagnosed a few weeks ago and its been positive.

Before diagnosis I recognised that it was difficult to be different.
Now I recognise that its difficult to have Asperger's.

My perspective : thats an improvement if anything. I have more information

On the negative side, I don't feel I can tell everyone. For some people it would needlessly complicate things.