|
venigma
Emu Egg
Joined: Feb 22, 2012
Age: 26
Posts: 7
|
 Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:51 pm Post subject: How important is an official diagnosis? |
 |
|
I am 26 years old and I've recently self-diagnosed myself with Asperger's (as a psychology/biology student, I've done plenty of research), and I'm totally itching to see a professional for an official diagnosis, but I'm not sure if that's just my desire for validation or if it may actually be useful.
Of course I had kind of a rough time growing up, especially socially, and it caused me a significant amount of emotional turmoil. I've been in therapy consistently since I was 13 (side note: I've been diagnosed with depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder- I never felt like any of those conditions described my symptoms very well, though). As a result of my obsessively intense observation and introspection (and of particularly cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy), I've learned a lot of coping mechanisms for my symptoms, and these days people consider me "quirky" or "a little odd", but not to the point where it really affects my life anymore. That being said, I definitely see room for improvement, and there are a few areas of my life where I am still learning the skills I feel I need to function normally (such as my romantic relationship- but my boyfriend is understanding and willing to help with or without any formal diagnosis).
What do you all think? Is an official diagnosis useful? Do you feel there is any value to it? Also, how would I even go about getting diagnosed as an adult (especially one who has already gone through the work of developing coping mechanisms)? I still see my therapist every month, but he tends to gawk at diagnoses in general, so I'm sure he'll tell me there's no reason to worry about diagnosis. I just feel like it would be so validating. It explains everything I've been through, and I'd love to have someone acknowledge that experience. Then again, I do have a tendency to want to categorize myself (and everything), and Asperger's gives me an opportunity to accurately do that. Is that a valid reason for wanting a diagnosis? haha |
|
| Back to top |
|
brannonc
Emu Egg
Joined: Feb 22, 2012
Posts: 3
Location: Texas
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:59 pm Post subject: Yes, Very Important |
|
|
| Hi! I am 12 and was recently diagnosed with Aspergers too. I had self-diagnosed my self with it about 6 months earlier and finally asked my parents if I had it. They said my old therapist said I had it, but they had brushed it off. We went to a psychologist and he diagnosed me with Aspergers Syndrome. Knew it. Now, with all of the troubles I have in school (Socially, not educationally, because I am AP +GT and currently taking MIT courses) they are filing a "504" instead of an IEP or whatever. But apperently Aspergers doesnt qualify for all of the medical programs or something, so people dont think it is considered a legally recognized disorder. But it still qualifies for some of them, and that makes it recognized. I believe Aspies get government money for disability, kids get 504's and IEP's, and I heard there was even free insurance for Aspies. So yes. For me though, it was just self relief to get it diagnosed by a qualified by a proffesional. |
|
| Back to top |
|
Venerab1e1
Toucan
Joined: Mar 07, 2011
Age: 26
Posts: 270
Location: Kentucky USA
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I'm still working on getting a diagnosis as well. I finally got an appointment to get tested for aspergers next month. The reason I think an official diagnosis is better than a self-diagnosis is because a self-diagnosis doesn't really mean anything when it comes down to it. Even though psychologists aren't perfect, they still are trained to look for the warning signs of not only aspergers but all the other psychological disorders as well. |
|
| Back to top |
|
HisDivineMajesty
Deinonychus
Joined: Feb 01, 2012
Posts: 396
Location: The land of sin and windmills
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Legally, a diagnosis can be a life-saver. In some jurisdictions, it means you're entitled to certain financial and medical benefits in case of unemployment or mental illness, and a solid diagnosis also means people are more likely to understand your point of view should you get into a tricky legal situation, such as resisting while being arrested. Without a diagnosis, they have no reason to assume you're anything but another troublemaker trying to talk their way out of it by playing the 'insane card'.
Life might also prove harder if you're after a high-profile career, though. I have yet to reach the point where I'm seriously applying for a well-paying job, as I'm still in school/university, but I suppose I'll keep quiet about my diagnosis, which is my legal right, and see how long it takes for them to figure out I'm 'different'.
If you feel the need for validation, and you're worried about the therapist's judgment, get a second opinion from someone you've never met. Familiarity is often a reason for people to assume a certain situation isn't that worrying or important, even if it's very obvious to the person involved, and everyone around them, that it is. |
|
| Back to top |
|
SyphonFilter
First-Rate Adventurer
Joined: Feb 08, 2011
Posts: 1941
Location: Ponyville, Equestria
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| It depends on where you live, what you want it for, etc. It's good for getting accomodations in college if you need them. |
|
| Back to top |
|
hyperlexian
loves the man who loves Darth Vader
Joined: Jul 22, 2010
Age: 40
Posts: 17251
Location: Canada for now
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:48 pm Post subject: Re: Yes, Very Important |
|
|
| brannonc wrote: | | Hi! I am 12 and was recently diagnosed with Aspergers too. I had self-diagnosed my self with it about 6 months earlier and finally asked my parents if I had it. They said my old therapist said I had it, but they had brushed it off. We went to a psychologist and he diagnosed me with Aspergers Syndrome. Knew it. Now, with all of the troubles I have in school (Socially, not educationally, because I am AP +GT and currently taking MIT courses) they are filing a "504" instead of an IEP or whatever. But apperently Aspergers doesnt qualify for all of the medical programs or something, so people dont think it is considered a legally recognized disorder. But it still qualifies for some of them, and that makes it recognized. I believe Aspies get government money for disability, kids get 504's and IEP's, and I heard there was even free insurance for Aspies. So yes. For me though, it was just self relief to get it diagnosed by a qualified by a proffesional. |
colour me impressed! well done. you write like an adult, wow. hope you stay awhile and check out the rest of the site
OP, getting a diagnosis really helped me with my self-confidence and with getting accommodations at work. i had to pay a psychologist and i got a day of testing done.
_________________
send me back to New York. i'll be good. i promise.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
venigma
Emu Egg
Joined: Feb 22, 2012
Age: 26
Posts: 7
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Wow, thanks for all the replies!
I'm glad so many of you agree with me. It's just so hard to convince the neurotypicals in my life- especially because my current behavior really isn't that odd. They're like, "why would you even bother? You're fine!"
Honestly, I don't feel like I need anything other than validation. And yeah, sometimes I'd like to have a "reason" for asking people to do weird things like explain their emotions or intentions to me. Or when I do something awkward or take something literally or tell someone something a little too honestly- I can say something other than, "oh, yeah.. Sorry." I want to be able to explain how I see the world with an actual reason behind it. That would feel so good.
brannonc: I, too am impressed by your writing skills. I haven't seen a kid write that well since I was 12..  |
|
| Back to top |
|
Longshanks
Deinonychus
Joined: Feb 03, 2012
Posts: 304
Location: At an undisclosed airbase at Shangri-la
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| HisDivineMajesty wrote: | Legally, a diagnosis can be a life-saver. In some jurisdictions, it means you're entitled to certain financial and medical benefits in case of unemployment or mental illness, and a solid diagnosis also means people are more likely to understand your point of view should you get into a tricky legal situation, such as resisting while being arrested. Without a diagnosis, they have no reason to assume you're anything but another troublemaker trying to talk their way out of it by playing the 'insane card'.
Life might also prove harder if you're after a high-profile career, though. I have yet to reach the point where I'm seriously applying for a well-paying job, as I'm still in school/university, but I suppose I'll keep quiet about my diagnosis, which is my legal right, and see how long it takes for them to figure out I'm 'different'.
If you feel the need for validation, and you're worried about the therapist's judgment, get a second opinion from someone you've never met. Familiarity is often a reason for people to assume a certain situation isn't that worrying or important, even if it's very obvious to the person involved, and everyone around them, that it is. |
As a law student, I concur. Furthermore, AS is a form of autisim and thus it can be argued that it is covered under the ADA.
Longshanks
_________________
The very best way to avoid war is to prepare for it. - George Washington, First State of the Union Address, 1790. |
|
| Back to top |
|
fragileclover
Velociraptor
Joined: May 22, 2009
Posts: 491
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| venigma wrote: | Wow, thanks for all the replies!
I'm glad so many of you agree with me. It's just so hard to convince the neurotypicals in my life- especially because my current behavior really isn't that odd. They're like, "why would you even bother? You're fine!"
Honestly, I don't feel like I need anything other than validation. And yeah, sometimes I'd like to have a "reason" for asking people to do weird things like explain their emotions or intentions to me. Or when I do something awkward or take something literally or tell someone something a little too honestly- I can say something other than, "oh, yeah.. Sorry." I want to be able to explain how I see the world with an actual reason behind it. That would feel so good.
brannonc: I, too am impressed by your writing skills. I haven't seen a kid write that well since I was 12.. |
Having to hear "you're fine!" every time I try to explain a trouble I'm having or the way that my mind is working is probably the number one thing that drove me to seek a diagnosis. I am frequently misunderstood, and because I'm quite intelligent, people have a difficult time accepting that I have social/emotional issues.
_________________
Aspie Quiz: AS - 141/200, NT - 77/200 (Very likely an Aspie)
AQ: 34/50 (Aspie range)
EQ: 32 / SQ: 68 (Extreme Systemizing / AS or HFA)
Diagnosed with AS and Anxiety Disorder - NOS on 03/21/2012 |
|
| Back to top |
|
hyperlexian
loves the man who loves Darth Vader
Joined: Jul 22, 2010
Age: 40
Posts: 17251
Location: Canada for now
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Longshanks, not every clinician agrees it is a form of autism. in the DSM IV it is a separate diagnosis still. personally i agree it is an autism spectrum disorder, but that's not a universal opinion. a more common blanket term is Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
_________________
send me back to New York. i'll be good. i promise. |
|
| Back to top |
|
Longshanks
Deinonychus
Joined: Feb 03, 2012
Posts: 304
Location: At an undisclosed airbase at Shangri-la
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| hyperlexian wrote: | | Longshanks, not every clinician agrees it is a form of autism. in the DSM IV it is a separate diagnosis still. personally i agree it is an autism spectrum disorder, but that's not a universal opinion. a more common blanket term is Pervasive Developmental Disorder. |
Respectfully submitted, I said could be argued. Yes, there is a division within the experts and that is why case law between the different Federal judicial circuits is also divided. I recommend the American Law Reports (ALR) for further reading. It has gone both ways and none of the cases have been decided on the appelate level yet (possibly because of cost or refusal to rehear). Please also remember that how lawyers and judges see things is not always going to be the way the professionals see them.
Longshanks
_________________
The very best way to avoid war is to prepare for it. - George Washington, First State of the Union Address, 1790. |
|
| Back to top |
|
MakaylaTheAspie
Green with envy.
Joined: Jun 22, 2011
Age: 15
Posts: 6857
Location: Body in Oregon, mind in the clouds.
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 4:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
A diagnosis can be helpful, but it's completely up to you.
_________________
When in doubt, ask an autistic. Chances are, they're obsessed with what you need to know. 
"The apple does not fall far from the tree, unless that tree's branch happens to be dangling over a cliff." |
|
| Back to top |
|
venigma
Emu Egg
Joined: Feb 22, 2012
Age: 26
Posts: 7
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Makayla, I just about died laughing when I read your signature. Every one of the relatively few friends I've acquired over the years ask me whenever they have a particularly troubling or strange question about animals. (I've been obsessed with animals since I was a toddler, and my knowledge is strangely diverse, even for a biologist- which is what I'll be when I finally graduate.. haha) Nobody ever asks me for advice on anything else, though.. Go figure |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
