Is Professional Diagnosis Worth It?

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I am undiagnosed, but I have nearly all the symptoms of Asperger's. I was just wondering from either those of you who knew from a young age or who were recently diagnosed: did the diagnosis add anything to your life? make things worse? Would it be worth it for me or anyone else who is currently undiagnosed to seek a diagnosis?

I was just wondering because I have SOD, which is a rare condition and most people with SOD are on the spectrum. Should this be enough? Thoughts please...

I feel it is worth the money to seek a professional diagnosis (in the US, it can run into the thousands of dollars) if:

1. One is able to receive accommodations as a result of the diagnosis

2. One is able to receive government benefits as a result of the diagnosis

3. One is able to find sense in his/her life as a result of the diagnosis.

4. One is actually able to afford it

I was diagnosed when I was very young; but I don't have the official documents (I was diagnosed in about 1964).
As it stands now, it wouldn't be worth it for I, myself, to obtain an official diagnosis because not one of the four things I mention apply to me.

I'm in the U.S. and was officially diagnosed just a few years ago at 53. I said for a long time (8 years) that I clearly had Asperger's but a diagnosis was meaningless - it wouldn't 'fix' anything and I didn't need anyone to tell me about myself.

The diagnosis was a GREAT help and I'm very very glad I got it. It cost mej $500 and took me just over a year to pay off but I did it. One of the biggest reasons I did this was, a year before I had to have surgery and while in the hospital I had multiple panic attacks. and Meltdowns. They could not give me anything stronger than Tylenol because there was "nothing in my chart" showing anxiety disorders or anything else. It was REALLY bad and I never want to go through that again. So having an official diagnosis, in my medical chart, assures me that I will be able to request something should I need it. Day to day I don't take any medications but in that situation I needed something badly.

What I've learned since the diagnosis too, is that I have 'come out of the closet' much more. Not totally, but before I didn't tell anyone about AS and I was constantly playing the roles and faking it and hiding behind the mask. Very very stressful. Since the diagnosis, just a few times when it really was necessary, I shared about AS and was able to stand up for myself a bit. Not in a big dramatic way but just to point out that I can't do this or to tell my insurance lady it's too stressful to talk on the phone, could she contact me by email only. Things of that nature. If you ask them to do those things and you're just asking for no reason, you have a 50/50 chance of them brushing you off, ignoring your request, scoffing at you that you're a weirdo, etc. When you have the diagnosis, they are much more serious about accomodating you and something like that - email me - is real easy to do so they do it.

My family has changed their whole view on this since I got the diagnosis. My kids were upset by me talking about it before and since the actual diagnosis every one of them (4) have learned about it, read, take it more seriously, even offer me things at times like "I didn't wear any perfume, Mom, because I knew we'd be in the car together" just little things but they are huge to me. In the past I would complain and they would tell me I was exaggerating and I would end up with a migraine. Sad that it takes a doctor's note to make people be more human but in some ways it does.

I'm glad I got it. And it's never too late.

I got a diagnosis within the past two years - I was over age 30. I pursued an official diagnosis because I was afraid that people would not believe me when I tell them I'm autistic and I wanted something solid that I could fall back on as evidence. Surprisingly, people didn't seem to believe it more readily when I said I had been officially diagnosed by a professional. I guess if they want to deny it, they will deny it despite whatever evidence I might show them. But oh well, my diagnosis is something that I can fall back on to tell myself that it is true and I'm not just making it up (I have confidence issues). Since my diagnosis, I've gotten a decent job, and I was able to tell my boss about my ASD, which I couldn't do if I wasn't officially diagnosed. ASD is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which can protect me from some workplace problems if I need it, but it only applies if there is an official diagnosis. So that's another benefit. I don't need accommodations at work, but if I ever do, I have something supporting me. I told my boss before any issues came up because I thought that it might look like an excuse if there is a problem with a coworker and I explain it by saying I'm autistic after there is a problem.

Yes, a diagnosis is definitely worth it.
- Several neurological disorders can look like each other, and only a specialist can make a difference between them.
- With a detailed diagnosis, you're told your strengths and weaknesses, and how your brain works.
- You can ask for accommodations at work, and if you can't work, you can benefit from disability to live.
- Your family and friends are going to understand why you sometimes have strange reactions to your environment, and they'll show more understanding.
- Different strategies will help you to manage your weaknesses, and it's the main benefit from diagnosis IMO. This is sometimes the key to autonomous life, so it's extremely important both for adults and for kids.
A proper diagnosis is always important for any kind of neurological disorder. Because I'm going to insist on this aspect : you (general you here) get a diagnosis because what you've got is a disorder = something that makes your quality of life much worse than it should be, so it's important to seek help (which can't be done without a diagnosis from a neurologist). If you compensate your weaknesses enough, so you have a normal and happy life, it doesn't really qualify as a disorder, so you don't need a diagnosis. What I'm going to say to people who want diagnosis or who "self-diagnose" just because they want a label, rather than help from a neurologist : IMO, it's not worth it. A diagnosis, or even just a label, if you don't want help with it, what are you going to get from it ? Nothing. Is it going to give you anything useful in your life ? No, it's totally useless.

My advice was more for people who don't struggle in their everyday life, because they compensate their deficiencies with much ease. I definitely agree that if everyday life is made difficult, even if others seem to not see it, it's worth looking for diagnosis.

It really depends on where you live and what your financial/social/etc circumstances are, I think.

While there are ups to knowing for sure (and in some cases benefits), sometimes getting a diagnosis can bring a lot of costs (financially, stress-related etc) and it may not magically fix your problems. Depending on where you live there can also be a certain social stigma attached to the label as well.

All I can say is that it is worth it to me. I am awaiting the final diagnosis. Whatever I find out, I am in the area of "REal knowledge surpasses guessing.'

And, regardless of where your life is now, it can change. And, has been mentioned, having proper medical information can make a difference in getting properly treated in any medical emergency.

What about when your Pre-teen or Teen? I was diagnossed when I was 10 so roughly pre-teen.

Something that has not been mentioned here yet is that a diagnosis CAN reveal other issues. It is possible that the person is NOT on the spectrum but instead has another condition - sometimes treatable. In those cases, going for a professional diagnosis can get the right one identified, possibly treated, and life can be much better.

Most definitely worth it.

I was in a very bad state of depression prior to my diagnosis and my parents were continually pushing me to do things that I was just unable to do, both from anxiety and social inability. I felt so inadequate and useless and really wanted to end things.

my diagnosis really helped with my depression issues, as it gave me reason for all my shortcomings and difficulties. I look back at my past and all the things I was bullied for and realise that it wasn't because I was "freak" who just happened to behave in weird ways, it was because of autism and failed attempts to fit in, public stimming, special interests and difficulties with social understanding. If anything, the diagnosis made me happier and more content with who I am. I still wouldn't say I'm happy with life itself, but I'm not depressed and not suicidal.

All in all, I think it depends on how difficult things are for you and what a diagnosis might do for you. If you're fine with life and can handle things well, then if you can afford a diagnosis easily, go for it, but if not, you don't need to. But if you're really struggling with depression, social understanding or other autism-related issues (e.g. sensory sensitivity or meltdowns), it'd be better for you to get answers.