Autism & ADHD de-diagnosis

[cooljethro]

Autism and ADHD de-diagnosing services could be rolled out in Sweden—should the US and UK follow suit?

Swedish authorities are considering requests for “de-diagnosis services” for autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from a new patient group: adults who no longer want their diagnosis.

The proposals come against the backdrop of an ongoing study on around 100 patients, all of whom joined the trial with the hope of getting their diagnostic labels removed. It could see de-diagnosis services rolled out in several of Sweden’s clinics in a matter of months, the study authors told The BMJ.

This seems to be a thing in Sweden at the moment and the US and UK may follow?

I have heard of people resenting their diagnosis of autism or ADHD/or both, as they feel it is no longer relevant or useful for them and can put up barriers to things like obtaining a driving license without a doctor's note.

I personally am happy with my diagnosis of autism (and incidentally, ADHD also) - so this isn't a thread based on my personal preference in that regard.

What do people think of this?

 

[Azeth]

Honestly. I think alot of it is a victum mentality problem. Not a diagnosis problem. And the whole "de-diagnosing" thing is just silly and encouraging the laziness of people not wanting to actually put the extra effort into life.

I don't doubt there are some NT implications to this, due to the rediculious 'disability' claims. That can make "de-diagnosing" people look like a attractive option. But at this point. It's like complaining that you dislike your diagnoses of X condition and therefore want to be 'de-diagnosed' for it. Despite there being a good reason for being diagnosed with the condition in the first place.

 

[cooljethro]

Why would people who want a de-diagnosis have a victim mentality? Surely it must be something closer to the opposite of that, in that they don't want a label that drags them down because they feel more capable than the label they have been given?

The psychologist Sebastian Lundström, one of the study’s researchers, told The BMJ that his work on this new patient group was prompted by “the sheer number of people with these diagnoses who now are turning into adult age and being told that they can’t join the military services [or] the draft.”

Historically, Swedish citizens with an ADHD or autism diagnosis have been barred from joining the military or working as train drivers without a specific doctor’s note. They must also provide a medical certificate when applying for a driving licence.

If people are being held back by a diagnosis in some way and they don't need a diagnosis to apply for various support services - I personally don't see why such people shouldn't be allowed to de-diagnose.

I don't doubt there are some NT implications to this, due to the rediculious 'disability' claims.

Do you mean NTs label autism as a disability and therefore there is a stigma attached to an autism diagnosis for a person?