Maybe this is the answer

[kaminchu]

Hello everyone, my name is kaminchu, I am a university student from Austria and I never thought I would post to an ASD forum until, well, now.

I always felt very different, but I never considered Asperger's / ASD a possibility, even though I had a good idea of what it was.
Two months ago my best friend (who I always thought has Asperger's) told me, "I think I have Asperger's". This caused us to talk about it and me to keep thinking about the topic.
Then two weeks ago, I started googling around and stumbled upon the AQ-test by Baron-Cohen. I tried it, got a 35. Test says from 32 upwards, an ASD diagnosis is likely. Sent it to said friend, he got a 38.
Kept googling, found some papers on how women with Asperger's are more likely to suffer from problems caused by heightened levels of male hormones than neurotypical women. I got that diagnosis years ago.
Kept reading individual female Asperger's accounts and recognized myself in them.
Always got along very well with and understood people with Asperger's easily that I met, while some others thought they were unbearable freaks.

All those details are indicators that I might have Asperger's but I am not diagnosed yet and will therefore not claim to have it.
To be honest, I am hesitant to get a diagnosis because I am afraid it will make life for me even harder, since I am worried employers might not hire me, people will think of me a as a freak, etc.
So I wanted to ask you guys who have an official diagnosis: how has it affected your life? Positively, negatively, not at all?
And also, should I go to see a professional about it? Or can I go on just fine without?

 

[Sarah S]

Warm welkome to the forums first of all

for me as i have been given added diagnosis all the time for pretty much every evaluation & from reading up on them on the net and comparing to the criterias it have given answers i have searched for all my life and helped me finally be able to put my why am i as i am and why do i have this and that problems life puzzle together
The tests you do on line is NOT meant as a diagnostic tool its only suggest the possibilities of you might have or dont

The only one that can answer the question of do you need to seek an evaluation or not is you .

Ask yourself this Do you feel that getting a diagnose or not is worth it so that you can better understand yourself ?

And also do you feel that youre problems are so prominent you need to get some help in getting them in some order and possible help & help improve youre life ?

 

[Wolfnox]

Hello. I have aspergers or high functing autism officially diagnosed. For me personally it hasnt changed much. I always knew something was different. They just gave it a name. For everyone around me they still struggle to understand exactly what this means. My problems and behaviour haven't changed by getting a name for it. As for employers well it differs.

Also Austria. Are the old structures their as striking as the pictures? Just from what you've seen?

 

[tree]

 

[Isadoorian]

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

 

[paloftoon]

If you decide to get a diagnosis, you do not have to disclose to any employer. I would only disclose to employers or organizations that specifically help people get jobs based on diagnosis. Otherwise, I'd just stay on the down low. If you intend to get a diagnosis because you think you would want to try to obtain services that you should be possibly eligible but definitely aren't without it, and/or if having one helps provide you solace for your own identity, then you should proceed with one. If you're not sure, it doesn't hurt to wait.

If you felt you are very low functioning, then I would recommend being open about your diagnosis beforehand. I get the sense you are very capable on your own for many things though. Most people who can write a post on here I would probably recommend to not disclose unless absolutely necessary.

Only other reason to consider disclosing privately is if you're considering a serious relationship and the relationship is toward getting slightly more serious possibly or the (potential) partner asks you point blank.

 

[tducey]

Welcome to the forums. This is a great place and resource for people to discuss all things Autism. Enjoy your time here.

 

[Nitro]

Hi kaminchu

 

[Aspychata]

This is a hard question. Do you personally need the rubber stamp and your medical info with this info? Like can you ask yourself why you may need this validation? Some people do receive financial aid. Are you able to find gainful employment? Are you able to have worthwhile friendships? Do you feel your social interactions are difficult? Do you stim? Good luck. Hope this forum helps you in search for answers.

 

[Tom]

I think it is a very individual sort of decision, whether to get a diagnosis or not and share the information or not. And it might change in time or with situation. I always knew I was very 'different' but also was adept at masking and compensating. So for me remaining in stealth mode was possible and in fact needed to remain in the profession of my choice. I did at some point need more then my mental abilitites to cope and seeking help (and not knowing I was on the spectrum, HFA not being recognized at the time) recieved the diagnosis of treatable general anxiety which allowed me to get useful medications.

I am trully glad I am on the spectrum because of what appears to be an expanded mind's way of thinking and experiencing things, related to it. I would not want to have it reversed for instance, if that were possible. But it comes with downsides that one has to learn to deal with and can also change with time.

 

[clg114]

Welcome to Autism Forums! For me getting diagnosed was a positive thing. I was 62 and was getting along just fine. I got the diagnosis just because I thought that I was autistic and wanted to be sure. You do not have to share this information with anyone and should be very careful about who you share it with.

 

[Rectify]

Hi @kaminchu Welcome to the forum.

should I go to see a professional about it? Or can I go on just fine without?

I think you'll get a variety of answers on this one. If you are having problems that you think may be because of it then a diagnosis might help you to access helpful services. Or if it's going to bug you not knowing for sure. If you are happy as you are then there is no need to diagnose.
If you do decide to please find a professional who specialises in asd/aspergers to do it.

some others thought they were unbearable freaks.

I think some people are unbearable, aspie or not

 

[Major Tom]

Welcome to the forums. For me my diagnosis was just an eye opener. I keep it to myself for the exact reasons you described.

 

[SusanLR]

I wasn't diagnosed until I was 58 and nothing really changed.
I always knew I was different and not socially adept, but, I masked and got through life and a career.
The only reason I went for the official diagnosis was when I was left alone with no family after my
parents passed and was getting grief counseling.
I was having a very difficult time adjusting to being on my own. I'd always had support.
The counselor said I had all the signs of Aspergers and suggested I see a specialist.

It was like reading my life story when I found out and started studying the traits of autism.

 

[Crossbreed]

Hello & welcome.

So I wanted to ask you guys who have an official diagnosis: how has it affected your life? Positively, negatively, not at all?

Without a diagnosis, I [ASD1/Aspie] kept bombing at jobs (and didn't know why).
With a diagnosis, I was able to get enough aid to make ends meet.

There are some jobs and economies that are more Aspie-friendly, but not the ones that I found myself in.

 

[Bolletje]

So I wanted to ask you guys who have an official diagnosis: how has it affected your life? Positively, negatively, not at all?

It has given me a better understanding of why I am the way I am. I didn’t qualify for any additional aid, but the understanding does help with acceptance. I now know that I’m not being obstinate or dramatic when I have a meltdown or shutdown, it’s just because of an overload of stimuli.