Hi everyone

[Pringles]

Really glad to have found this forum. I've been reading extensively about autism, particularly in women, over the past few months after years of trying to figure out "what my problem is" and why I struggle so much with life and it's been a real relief to read about so many familiar experiences.

I'm expecting to be diagnosed in the next few months - my next assessment is in 2 weeks and then there will be one more, if I "qualify", ha. I'm very sure that I have autism, but can't help being nervous that the clinicians won't see it and I'll be refused a diagnosis. I think that would crush me and I would be at a loss as to what path to take next, as I think I've exhausted nearly every other possibility. Has anybody here had that experience and how did you continue?

 

[Bolletje]

Welcome! Female Aspie here. I had sort of the opposite experience, I was under evaluation for depression and got the additional surprise of being diagnosed with autism.
I think you shouldn’t worry too much over whether said professional applies the label to you or not. After all, the field of psychiatry and psychology are not exact sciences and the diagnosis is just one professional’s opinion. There’s a huge variance in between psychiatrists when asked to diagnose the same patient. So take the label with a grain of salt. If you receive a different diagnosis, read up on it and see if you feel it applies to you. If you really feel like autism applies to you more, keep reading up on that as well. Also, if possible, stick with a therapist that has a dialogue with you, rather than one that just monologues and tells you what to do. My treatment team doesn’t just talk about me, they talk and work with me and I don’t get subscribed any medication without discussing the alternatives and the side effects. Granted, I’m a medical doctor myself, but I believe every good medical professional always includes the patient in diagnosis and treatment considerations.

 

[Running Girl]

The official diagnosis route sounds so long and involved by all accounts. Then i read that even with an official diagnosis I wouldn't be eligible for any disability unless I had well-documented evidence of autism in childhood. Which of course I dont have. Autism was not recognized in any but the most severe forms back then. So i figure, if I cant get outa work, why bother?

 

[Isadoorian]

Welcome to the Forums! I hope you make new friends and enjoy your stay in the process!

 

[Bolletje]

@Running Girl I was officially diagnosed but deemed too high functioning to deserve additional support, so other than a better understanding of myself I didn’t really gain much from the diagnosis. Not gonna lie, the understanding was really helpful, but that’s because I hadn’t suspected it before. If I had suspected I was on the spectrum I’m not sure I would have pursued a diagnosis. Would probably have trusted my own research to be enough evidence.

 

[Pringles]

Thanks for all your responses! I feel similarly about my own ability to know myself and I don't think a professional opinion would change my mind at this point, but I'm quite self conscious about other people in my life not believing me, and I think an official diagnosis would just mean they'd take me more seriously. It makes me sad but I think it's the case. It would be nice to have back-up or "proof" of some sort, to help me stop feeling so guilty about not having enough energy for lots of work or lots of socialising. It does seem that there isn't much help out there for "high functioning" adults with autism, which is really frustrating and I hope you are all managing okay.

 

[tree]

 

[clg114]

Welcome to Autism Forums!

 

[Nitro]

Hi Pringles

 

[Wolfnox]

Granted, I’m a medical doctor myself, but I believe every good medical professional always includes the patient in diagnosis and treatment considerations.

A doctor! Yay! So this interests you on two fronts given your profession.

 

[Wolfnox]

And Hello Aspie. Hope you find the answers your looking for.

 

[Streetwise]

Thanks for all your responses! I feel similarly about my own ability to know myself and I don't think a professional opinion would change my mind at this point, but I'm quite self conscious about other people in my life not believing me, and I think an official diagnosis would just mean they'd take me more seriously. It makes me sad but I think it's the case. It would be nice to have back-up or "proof" of some sort, to help me stop feeling so guilty about not having enough energy for lots of work or lots of socialising. It does seem that there isn't much help out there for "high functioning" adults with autism, which is really frustrating and I hope you are all managing okay.

Be aware autistic people are very!sensitive to drugs ,so if you seek medical treatment be up to date on the side effects ,one of the reasons for diagnosis is medicines are adjusted for autistic patients ,if !the clinician has a brain.
Try to remember !could this be a facet of autism !so not viewed in the category of disease or injury not curable!!!!.

 

[Major Tom]

Hello, welcome.

 

[Rectify]

Welcome @Pringles

 

[Fino]

Great username!

 

[Pringles]

Be aware autistic people are very!sensitive to drugs ,so if you seek medical treatment be up to date on the side effects ,one of the reasons for diagnosis is medicines are adjusted for autistic patients ,if !the clinician has a brain.
Try to remember !could this be a facet of autism !so not viewed in the category of disease or injury not curable!!!!.

Yes, I've read about this - I will keep this in mind and let my doctor know!

 

[SusanLR]

Professional diagnosis has been helpful for me when it comes to the medical situations.
When the doctors know, they can take that knowledge into the medical and psychological
equation of how to treat and what to use.

I am going to need major surgery and was told they send you home in three days.
That would not work with me. No friends or family to help and I would feel very insecure trying to
take care of my own self rehab alone with only a check in from a home health worker daily.
So the autism diagnosis has placed me into the special needs catagory and I can get into
rehab facility for three weeks after the surgery.
My therapist said all she has to do is write a letter for needing this care in a professional setting.
So it can have benefits even if not for getting disability from work.

 

[Thinx]

Hello and welcome. I hope you enjoy it here. I did feel a little bit concerned when you said you thought the diagnosis would be useful to convince others and help them understand you and what you are up against. I would wonder if people who are unconvinced will easily change their views, or even understand the diagnosis and what it means about you? Might they not use it to label you, and be dismissive of you and your needs?

Taking on any minority status can lead to that from some people, so I would take time to decide who you may disclose a diagnosis to, and be sure they are someone who will listen with interest and concern for you, and be ready too to give them useful information about what it means and ways they can help, if you think they are well disposed to want to be helpful.