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Is there anyway I can get a diagnosis overturned? I believe I was misdiagnosed

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Stack07945

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Hey guys, Ive come on here and created an account to discuss this to people who have hopefully experienced something similar. Basically I was diagnosed with aspergers and adhd at a very young age (4) and I can completely understand this as I was a very energetic and jumpy child, always running around etc and in my own world.

However as I have grown up I cant help but feel I was misdiagnosed with aspergers, theres no doubt I have adhd as I am very hyperactive at times but I havent ever really displayed any symptoms of aspergers that I can think of. For example Ive never had trouble looking people straight in the eye for extended periods, it has never felt weird to me and I have also never had any social problems throughout my life and found conversation and making friends with people very easy. Ive never felt any different to the majority of 'normal' kids.

Ive also never had any trouble getting a girlfriend, going on dates and getting attention from the opposite sex. I dont mean to sound rude when I say this but I also look completely normal aswell, I am a physically attractive man and many girls have and do find me attractive whereas most others I have met with aspergers look a bit different. I never found this a problem and tried to ignore it until recently, I got turned down from the army simply on the basis that they 'dont want anybody who is autistic working for them' . This was terrible news for me as you could imagine as I always wanted to join from a young age and support my country.

Ive always really loved sports aswell and have aspired to be a professional athlete and have always been very athletic, but when I got to reading things I realised that with my diagnosis I literally cant become a professional athlete either. Which again is devastating news for me.

I strongly believe I have been misdiagnosed with aspergers and I really wish my parents had never taken me to that doctor who diagnosed me at such a young age, I believe I wasnt old enough at all where you could accurately diagnose me, nobody I have ever met would ever guess I have this disorder as I am 100% normal.

As you can understand this misdiagnosis is ruining my hopes and dreams and Im lost on where to go from here, it just seems so cruel to deny my opportunities due to something I was likely misdiagnosed with. Has anyone else ever gone through this and know of a way to get the diagnosis taken off my record? I feel like it will be seriously detrimental to alot of job opportunities in the future and could seriously affect my life, all help appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story :)
 
Hi Stack

welcome to af.png
 
Yes, the DSM has changed a lot. It could be you don't have it, but it will not be contingent on how you look. Look in the "photos" section and you will see some very attractive and wonderful looking people! If there is a "difference" it may be that ASpies are often so deep in their special interests that they may care more about conjugating Greek verbs than putting on makeup or finding a particular chemical compound than shaving .

However, it may be quite easy depending on where you go to get undxed. Where do you live? SOme drs ONLY look for low functioning and are open about NOT letting Aspergers be absorbed into Autism, as was supposed to happen. I know a place like that and I can point you there if you like.

You just need to find a Dr partial to LFA and you will miss the dx.

I hate the fact that it seems to be open to opinion and a Dr and his breakfast or lack thereof, but it is often, till we have better bio markers.

At any rate, i am sorry you don't want to be Aspie. Most I have met are kind, considerate, smart, gentle, understanding , brilliant, creative, and not harming this world. Of course, there are variations, but I would rather be and be with ND than NTs, but that is just my opinion. But good luck and keep us posted.
 
This is possibly not the best place to come to find others with similar stories, given that most of the members on this site are diagnosed or suspect that they have it, but either way, people here are generally sure of their being on the spectrum.

I suppose you could ask to be reassessed. It might also be a good idea to take the AQ test or the Aspie Quiz to see how you score.

Also, talk to your parents and siblings about your early childhood symptoms. There must have been some reason why Asperger's was suspected at the time. Watch some family home movies, if you have any. Perhaps you had more distinct autistic traits when you were younger? Bear in mind that it is possible to have traits as a child, but as you get older you learn to cope and fit in - but that doesn't mean that the autism goes away, just that you have learned to manage its symptoms.
 
Hey guys, Ive come on here and created an account to discuss this to people who have hopefully experienced something similar. Basically I was diagnosed with aspergers and adhd at a very young age (4) and I can completely understand this as I was a very energetic and jumpy child, always running around etc and in my own world.

However as I have grown up I cant help but feel I was misdiagnosed with aspergers, theres no doubt I have adhd as I am very hyperactive at times but I havent ever really displayed any symptoms of aspergers that I can think of. For example Ive never had trouble looking people straight in the eye for extended periods, it has never felt weird to me and I have also never had any social problems throughout my life and found conversation and making friends with people very easy. Ive never felt any different to the majority of 'normal' kids.

Ive also never had any trouble getting a girlfriend, going on dates and getting attention from the opposite sex. I dont mean to sound rude when I say this but I also look completely normal aswell, I am a physically attractive man and many girls have and do find me attractive whereas most others I have met with aspergers look a bit different. I never found this a problem and tried to ignore it until recently, I got turned down from the army simply on the basis that they 'dont want anybody who is autistic working for them' . This was terrible news for me as you could imagine as I always wanted to join from a young age and support my country.

Ive always really loved sports aswell and have aspired to be a professional athlete and have always been very athletic, but when I got to reading things I realised that with my diagnosis I literally cant become a professional athlete either. Which again is devastating news for me.

I strongly believe I have been misdiagnosed with aspergers and I really wish my parents had never taken me to that doctor who diagnosed me at such a young age, I believe I wasnt old enough at all where you could accurately diagnose me, nobody I have ever met would ever guess I have this disorder as I am 100% normal.

As you can understand this misdiagnosis is ruining my hopes and dreams and Im lost on where to go from here, it just seems so cruel to deny my opportunities due to something I was likely misdiagnosed with. Has anyone else ever gone through this and know of a way to get the diagnosis taken off my record? I feel like it will be seriously detrimental to alot of job opportunities in the future and could seriously affect my life, all help appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story :)

I am sorry you are going through all this. Just know that at the time, your parents thought they were doing what was best for you. I too, have a inaccurate mental health diagnosis, but have not the time or energy at my age to do anything about it. You might find the following helpful. It’s from the USA though.
How to amend your medical record:
Georgetown University

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+amend+my+medical+record

And this forum/site is very enlightening:
Removing psychiatric diagnosis from medical records how do I do this ? - Mad In America
 
I think your best bet would be to get a second opinion from a specialist, but I don't know what the policy is on these things for the military in your country -- if that would be enough.

An ASD diagnosis won't necessarily prevent you from becoming a professional athelete (although I don't deny that the stigma and stereotypes would likely make difficult). There are already professional athletes with ASD diagnoses: Pro-surfer Clay Marzo is one, and MLB player Jim Eisenreich is another.
 
"Ive also never had any trouble getting a girlfriend, going on dates and getting attention from the opposite sex. I dont mean to sound rude when I say this but I also look completely normal aswell, I am a physically attractive man and many girls have and do find me attractive whereas most others I have met with aspergers look a bit different."

Wow - did you really say that? I'm not sure you really have a good understanding of aspergers or the autism spectrum.
I agree with Progster : "suppose you could ask to be reassessed. It might also be a good idea to take the AQ test or the Aspie Quiz to see how you score."
Good luck to you.
 
I don't know how easy it is to get the diagnosis changed, but by all means persue it and be persistant. It would be the best solution for you.

There is in fact a way to get in the military if you have a very mild case and have not needed treatment for it for a period of time. It would require you to go to the nearest MEPS station and get a medical and psychological evaluation. If they think you can serve without problems you can get a waiver. You will probably need a recruiter working with you on this. Your first recruiter didn't want to bother. That is common. You can try another, try another service (I suggest USAF) or if stonewalled go over there head to a area supervisor.

But all in all the getting the DX removed is best as it won't then be able to pop up as an obstacle later if policy changes, etc.

Good luck! I served 27 years in both Air Force and Army. My son served 6 USAF active and is now Air Guard.
 
Ive also never had any trouble getting a girlfriend, going on dates and getting attention from the opposite sex. I dont mean to sound rude when I say this but I also look completely normal aswell, I am a physically attractive man and many girls have and do find me attractive whereas most others I have met with aspergers look a bit different.

Also and as well, you may want to look into getting labelled with a different personality disorder. I'm sure you'll find one.
 
I think you have a lot of internalized stereotypes and shame about Aspergers. It’s completely possible that you do not in fact have Aspergers, but it sounds to me like you think so for all the wrong reasons.

I have Aspergers. I’m also a social person, I have a lot of success with both the opposite and the same sex and I don’t look weird. People can’t tell I’m on the spectrum unless I tell them. It’s weird how we don’t have a distinguishing mark on our foreheads.
 
Apart from looking into a second opinion by a neurologist or psychiatrist, consider one other critical factor relative to the military assessing you for service. That this may not be only about an issue of autism. They can also be quite discriminating about comorbid conditions like ADHD.

"Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Perceptual/Learning Disorder(s) (315) is disqualifying unless the applicant can demonstrate passing academic performance and there has been no use of medication in the previous 12 months. Newer regulations may allow for waivers on a case-by-case basis."

Disqualifying Mental Health Disorders and Medical Conditions
Medical Conditions That May Prevent You From Joining the Military
 
"Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Perceptual/Learning Disorder(s) (315) is disqualifying unless the applicant can demonstrate passing academic performance and there has been no use of medication in the previous 12 months. Newer regulations may allow for waivers on a case-by-case basis."

Disqualifying Mental Health Disorders and Medical Conditions

Don't neglect the rules literally preventing him from being a professional athlete.
 
Ive always really loved sports aswell and have aspired to be a professional athlete and have always been very athletic, but when I got to reading things I realised that with my diagnosis I literally cant become a professional athlete either. Which again is devastating news for me.

It seems that the modern day Don Juan has run into this road block. I didn't realize it either.

(Sorry, his entire post inspires a great deal of amusement for me, but I should likely stop it)
 
Don't neglect the rules literally preventing him from being a professional athlete.

Neglect? Frankly I have no idea what professional athletics might entail in this context. From a legal perspective you're talking about multiple business entities, individual sports, leagues, etc.. Their requirements and liability concerns may be far more varied plus or minus in comparison with the armed forces.

At any rate I see the military as a much more pressing issue, given that amounts to a major commitment in comparison to athletics which may last only a single season.
 
Neglect? Frankly I have no idea what professional athletics might entail in this context. From a legal perspective you're talking about multiple business entities, sports, leagues, etc...

It's hard not to get a little sarcastic reading his post.

There is a chance that he has a co-morbid narcissistic personality disorder which prevents him from recognizing his, deemed negative, autistic traits in himself. If that is the case, I likely shouldn't have been poking fun.
 
Welcome, @Stack07945. I hope you find some useful information here.

Here's a stupid question: What's the consequence of leaving the diagnosis in place? Usually, revealing the diagnosis is up to you. If you don't believe the diagnosis, then just drop it from your life and move on.

Are you in some environment where the diagnosis is passed from one authority to another outside of your control? Or are there people who you believe would treat you better if you got your diagnosis changed?

I'm not saying "don't get the diagnosis reversed" ... I just want to understand what you want to achieve by reversing it.
 
It's hard not to get a little sarcastic reading his post.

There is a chance that he has a co-morbid narcissistic personality disorder which prevents him from recognizing his, deemed negative, autistic traits in himself. If that is the case, I likely shouldn't have been poking fun.

Interesting. Point taken. Though I don't process sarcasm well at all. ;)

I just immediately focused on all the practical considerations based on previous inquiries of this nature. But yes, with this one it does contain some different elements of concern.

Frankly I was more disturbed about reviewing the government's requirements than some of his less-than-kindly remarks. And wondering if in fact they have become broader and more ambiguous than in the past.

It's been a while since anyone has posted about acceptability in the military, apart from a regime change which may have created an environment less than positive for applicants on the spectrum.
 
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