To wonder if it's worth actually getting an Asperger's diagnosis as an adult?

[ShutUpShouty]

Bit of a strange thread I admit, but I've had an inkling for years that I might have Aspergers syndrome. It's only been within the last year or so when I started to research more into it and found out how women on the spectrum present very differently to men that made me pretty sure that I do have it. Every article I've read about women with it pretty much fits me perfectly but I've never been sure whether to actually get an official diagnosis or not.

Would a diagnosis make much of a difference? It wouldn't change anything about me, I would still find the same things hard as I do now. I've heard you should only get a diagnosis if you're really struggling but if you're content then it's not worth it. Sometimes I'm okay, but then often I struggle...but again would a diagnosis change that? Then again with an official diagnosis it would hopefully make certain people who give me a hard time for my quirks and criticize me for them (these are close family members btw, including my parents), especially my difficulty in social situations back off a bit. I would be able to say "hey, it's not my fault, but I am trying"

Anyone who has had a diagnosis as an adult felt it made any difference at all? And how hard was it to get diagnosed as a female?

I don't know whether to make the first step or not.

BumpAndGrind

It depends on the people. Some people are going to ignore a diagnosis, because they're arses. Other people will be more understanding, once they're told there's a proper reason. I used to get very frustrated with a friend's spelling, because I thought he was lazy. I shut the fuck up when he got diagnosed with dyslexia, and I hope I grew as a person.

Let's use a totally physical condition. Joan is tired and exhausted all the time. Her family are annoyed by it, and keep saying that if she had proper sleeping habits, and didn't drink coffee before bed, she'd wake up well-rested each morning. Joan keeps saying she doesn't even drink coffee, but no-one takes any notice. So, Joan goes to the doctor and finds out there is a physical reason (anaemia, thyroid, something like that). Some of her family may sniff disparagingly but maybe some will accept the professional view that actually, Joan can't help being easily exhausted.

Thinking you have Asperger's after researching it actually makes it likely that you are completely NT!

Not everyone lacks self awareness. I knew I had LDs before testing for them because of what I read online.

But, online tests should be taken with a grain of salt. I score high on the ASD tests online because I'm introverted and have LDs and MH that can present very similar to ASD. Not to mention too many questions are subjective. Lots of NT people have narrow interests and obsessions or are socially awkward. The key to it being a disorder is that it causes tangible problems in at least 2 areas your life, not just "I feel different". Which is why it's important to not self diagnose yourself.

Good grief I am at AElfgifu's posts. it's rather scarey that someone can spout such bullshit with such certainty!

Anyhoo OP if you feel a diagnosis would be helpful to you then you should see your GP to discuss it. How you choose to use the info (if you indeed do have aspergers) will be entirely up to you. It doesn't necessarily have to change anything.

I've downloaded a paper entitled "A Behavioural Comparison of Male and Female Adults with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Conditions" where they compare people who would've been similarly 'autistic' as children. On page 6 it says:

"An unexpected result that warrants further attention is the more pronounced self-reported autistic traits, as measured by the AQ, in adult females with ASC. Along with the observation of fewer current symptoms on the ADOS, these results suggest that in adulthood, females show fewer, but perceive more autistic features than males."

To me, this suggests that women are potentially quite likely to be able to correctly identify Aspergers in themselves.

Thank you for posting the link to that paper AGnu, very interesting.

I have been waiting for two years for a diagnosis, that's just how long it takes here as there's nobody with permanent responsibility, just people pick up that clinic when they can.

I know I am on the spectrum; I have almost completed my MA in Autism so pretty well qualified to judge, have 2 diagnosed sons (and another being assessed) and it's recognised in herself by my Mum and we all realise Grandad has it. I am not delusional about help being offered, but since recognising the ASD part of myself my confidence has shot up; I am not bad if I can't talk to people, or unlikea'le if I struggle with friendships. Rather than focussing on what I haven;t been so good at doing, the things I DO have are achievements for someone with a communication disorder and no support.

It's interesting as well; when i look back at school or jobs with the ASD filter I can understand things so much better; bullying (mainly from teachers), weird interactions- thing is, they were quite often 'my' doing now I recognise it, but because I was only understanding a % of a situation, the unspoken stuff just whizzing past me. it's great to be able to grasp that.

However, a word of warning: when i first realised, at the very start I got so low- decided I was worthless, a drain on society- really depressed. That phase passed but it's not uncommon

I dont' have aspergers, but have another mental health condition which was undiagnosed for many years. I pushed for a diagnosis but it didn't really make that much difference to my life. I thought it would open all sorts of doors for treatment, but I was denied treatment on the NHS as I was paying for (a few sessions) of private therapy myself. So the NHS refused to give me any treatment and it was all for nothing!

. It's now on my medical file and I wish it wasn't. I feel I have much improved from when I was diagnosed, I may not even meet the diagnostic criteria any more. So it doesn't even really feel relevant to me.

Just my experience. Mental illness does carry a stigma. What would be the benefits of diagnosis? If you can't think of m(any) then I wouldn't bother.

Aspergers isn't a mental illness though.

I was going to say the same thing Shutup - aspergers isn't a mental illness.

My son has aspergers. His brain works in a certain way, and the diagnosis is extremely useful in helping us, and others, understand that. Individuals with ASD do often experience mental issues, but that is secondary to the diagnosis of autism/aspergers. Mental health issues are treatable, whereas aspergers is a lifelong way of being.

Sorry - mental health issues. Not sure what happened in my own brain there...

I should add that I have struggled with mental health issues and still am in some ways - depression and eating disorders and whilst I'm always hesitant to talk about these things I wouldn't be hesitant to talk about having aspergers (assuming I do have it).

It isn't a mental illness. Sometimes it can be co-morbid with a mental health condition however. It isn't unusual for Aspergers to be misdiagnosed as a mental health condition prior to diagnosis, especially in adult females.

This is interesting: aspertypical.com/2013/02/07/the-misdiagnosis-of-women-on-the-autism-spectrum-a-shared-story/

In the area I live there are exactly zero services or support for adults with Aspergers.

People who criticise your behaviour now won't stop if you get a diagnosis. IMO they just say you are making excuses. Other people are mainly just ignorant about it and either don't believe you, treat you like you are stupid or tell you about all the apparent cures there are out there.

Those are the reasons why I don't actually tell anyone or talk about my Aspergers diagnosis anywhere except on the internet. probably why I was in denial about it for several years afterwards too.

Oh and no everyone is not on the autistic spectrum. I find it quite offensive when that phrase is used tbh.

This is an interesting read, particularly as I'm another one who recognises a lot of aspie traits in myself and has been wondering about seeking a diagnosis.

The discussion about mental health issues is relevant, though, as an AS diagnosis can alter the way your mental health difficulties are treated. For example, I believe that various medications and therapies that might be recommended for an adult with anxiety or depression, are not always similarly effective in AS adults who also have anxiety or depression.

From my own perspective, anti-anxiety medication has helped, but talking therapy was a disaster as I could not properly recognise or talk about my feelings.

It might also be worth looking at aspie traits that show up in teenage girls - this was a big 'eureka' moment for me as I realised that it wasn't just that I had been a miserable and awkward teenager, but that I was displaying behaviours that seem to be common in aspie girls.

I haven't bothered with a DX for me, although I did for DS1 who has HFA.

I'm late 30's now and am very happy with who I am - yes, a quirky, eccentric so-and-so, but functioning well, unlike during my teens and twenties.

I have been diagnosed with (and medicated for) all sorts, none of which really fit - depression, anxiety etc. I decided to do some self-acceptance, and some hard work on my social difficulties. I find I can reason out most social situations once I've learned the (very tricky) rules.

Basically a long-winded way of saying, a DX isn't necessary. If it helps you s part of dealing with your issues, then that's great, but I think there are more useful things to be doing with your time.

The discussion about mental health issues is relevant, though, as an AS diagnosis can alter the way your mental health difficulties are treated. For example, I believe that various medications and therapies that might be recommended for an adult with anxiety or depression, are not always similarly effective in AS adults who also have anxiety or depression.

From my own perspective, anti-anxiety medication has helped, but talking therapy was a disaster as I could not properly recognise or talk about my feelings.

Do you have any information / links about these aspects please GroupieGirl?

www.autism.org.uk/working-with/health/mental-health-and-asperger-syndrome.aspx

I'm not sure this is the exact article that I remember reading, but it has some interesting comments on aspergers and mental health.

Thank you

I was diagnosed with Aspergers earlier this year. I never wanted to be assessed for it and when they assessed me they didn't tell me what they were doing. I think it has helped me accept the way I am but I'm still not 100% that I wanted to know. There is no help for adults with aspergers, not that I've found anyway :( so I didn't see the point.

I thought that the new DSM no longer recognised aspergers as a separate condition. As far as I know, they now place people with aspergers as being somewhere on the spectrum but not as having something distinct to other forms of autism. I studied it last year, but probably a qualified psychologist could be more specific. I would agree with other posters who say that we're all on the spectrum somewhere and I would caution against self diagnosis.

DSM changed the official diagnosis. It's used far more in the states than here, so yes, it's possible to still get a diagnosis for Asperger Syndrome here.