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Post by Dragon Zachski on Sept 18, 2010 18:40:28 GMT -5
Something led me to read about the symptoms of Asperger's... and I realized it really describes me to a T.
1. I am quite socially awkward, and generally try to stay away from interacting with people. After hearing testimonials about how Asperger's are drawn to forum boards because it lets them achieve a level of social interaction that's awkward or such in real life, this makes sense.
2. Tact is not one of my skills. Not in the sense of "I'm a giant asshat, screw the rules", but more like "I will loudly declare that I am worried about our neighbor mowing over our new bushes that we planted oh shit I said that loudly I hope the neighbor didn't hear me oh god what am I doing"
3. I get very intensely interested in things. And when I do, I have to explain them to EVERYONE I like, even when they most likely don't understand the first thing I'm talking about.
4. Making friends is a very difficult task for me. I can't seem to find the connection needed to actually go from "I know who you are and enjoy your company" to "Let's be friends and hang out".
And so on. If I were to list every symptom I have, we'd be here for awhile.
Now then... it'd be nice to know for sure. The problem with that is... if I get diagnosed with it, that just reduces my chances of getting health insurance even more. (which, by the way, I've been rejected for having Tourrette's Syndrome of all things... well, that, and OCD.) Not to mention more jobs would reject me while using non-specific reasons to avoid getting hit by the ADA.
So, yeah... this self-diagnosis will have to do. I know that self-diagnosing can be kind of a dangerous thing, but... apparently, my mother has suspected it for years now, but never said anything for fear of influencing me. She actually waited until I came to that conclusion myself to actually say anything.
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Post by Vene on Sept 18, 2010 18:43:27 GMT -5
Employers don't have the right to know about your health. And I think the insurance thing is changing because of the heath reform passed. So, I'm not sure if trying to get a diagnosis will hurt.
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Post by Dragon Zachski on Sept 18, 2010 19:04:17 GMT -5
Employers don't have the right to know about your health. And I think the insurance thing is changing because of the heath reform passed. So, I'm not sure if trying to get a diagnosis will hurt. Well, there's also the matter of "I don't have the money to afford a visit". As far as the health reform thing goes... has it actually gotten implemented to the point yet where they can't refuse you for pre-existing conditions? EDIT: I wanted to add that actually, this self-diagnosis is sort of a relief. I finally understand why I am the way I am, and it's not really my fault, so I can stop beating myself up over it. |
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Post by impatiens on Sept 18, 2010 20:12:36 GMT -5
Unless you have a reason for needing an official diagnosis (accommodations, etc.), I really wouldn't bother getting one. A self-diagnosis is generally considered perfectly okay in the autistic and disability blogospheres, and you're right about having concerns about expense and discrimination.
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Post by Dragon Zachski on Sept 18, 2010 20:21:27 GMT -5
Unless you have a reason for needing an official diagnosis (accommodations, etc.), I really wouldn't bother getting one. A self-diagnosis is generally considered perfectly okay in the autistic and disability blogospheres, and you're right about having concerns about expense and discrimination. Alright, so it is a good idea then. Good. It's also good to note that my self-diagnosis is just fine for community purposes. I'm already discriminated enough as it is for my Tourrette's and OCD. Seriously, how does THAT constitute a rejection of health insurance? Ugh. |
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Post by Sleepy on Sept 18, 2010 20:56:06 GMT -5
Because health insurance companies are filthy pieces of shit. I've seen people get rejected for acne as a pre-existing condition.
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Post by Dragon Zachski on Sept 18, 2010 20:58:00 GMT -5
Because health insurance companies are filthy pieces of shit. I've seen people get rejected for acne as a pre-existing condition. There are no words that can express just how "WTF" this is. Acne. As a pre-existing condition. And it gets you rejected. And the Republicans say we don't need health care reform -_- this is why I hate rampant capitalism. |
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Post by Mira on Sept 18, 2010 21:06:18 GMT -5
Yeah, it doesn't really matter either way whether you're diagnosed unless you need special services. A little while ago my therapist said that I display autistic traits, but it really hasn't made any difference except that some of my odd behaviour is explained.
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Post by impatiens on Sept 18, 2010 21:07:04 GMT -5
Alright, so it is a good idea then. Good. It's also good to note that my self-diagnosis is just fine for community purposes. I'm already discriminated enough as it is for my Tourrette's and OCD. Seriously, how does THAT constitute a rejection of health insurance? Ugh. Yeah, the only people who'll give you shit about being self-diagnosed wouldn't exactly be your friends even if you had an official diagnosis, anyhow. Such people tend to be ableist. Most people in the disability community are aware that diagnosis is a class issue. The main reason I have an official diagnosis is that my parents happened to have sufficient money and health insurance coverage to get me tested when I was a kid. As for the health insurance problem, things like that make me wonder what's going to happen once I'm old enough to be kicked off my parents' insurance. Yeah, I know the health care reform is supposed to address that problem in theory, but laws don't mean much if they're not enforced well. |
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Post by Random Guy on Sept 18, 2010 22:09:18 GMT -5
I'm also pretty sure I have Asperger's as well (in fact, having an intense interest in dinosaurs as a child was what led me to paleontology), and generally people I work with tend to figure that out themselves even if I try my best to hide it. I don't feel a need to get a diagnosis myself, and I feel that getting one might make things more complicated like the OP, so I'm not inclined to ask for one at the moment.
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Post by Napoleon the Clown on Sept 19, 2010 0:50:07 GMT -5
Don't go around saying you do have it without an actual diagnosis... Self-diagnosing is bad form, no matter what it is. Saying that you feel like you display symptoms is fine, put proclaiming yourself to be Aspie without a diagnosis can make a lot of people who have actually been diagnosed feel like you're cheapening the disorder. And it annoys people who are in the field, since it's basically a big ol' middle finger to all the schooling it takes to actually make a diagnosis.
In any event, if you think you do have it and there's nothing that makes having a formal diagnosis worthwhile, just look at it as "This explains 'x', so I'm going to overcome that. Approach it from the perspective of "It makes certain things harder, so I should strive to overcome them."
So yeah, don't bother with a diagnosis unless there's something going on where you need one. It's extra money to get diagnosed, and it can mess with stuff with regards to insurance. And either way, don't think of it as a disability, but something to overcome.
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Post by Admiral Lithp on Sept 19, 2010 4:06:44 GMT -5
My problem with self diagnosis is that it's so...horoscope-y. Without going into huge detail, I can think of examples of how I have all of those things, as well. So, does that mean I have a form of autism/asperger's/whatever, or does it mean that I exhibit personality traits that are commonplace, especially in my age group?
Unlike horoscopes, I don't doubt that the conditions are valid, but I think it's so easy to overgeneralize & see patterns for things that you're meant to have a professional examination for. I think this is also true for things like sleep & diet studies. Although, I actually DO question how much of those last 2 are just hasty conclusions.
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Post by impatiens on Sept 19, 2010 5:17:53 GMT -5
Don't go around saying you do have it without an actual diagnosis... Self-diagnosing is bad form, no matter what it is. Saying that you feel like you display symptoms is fine, put proclaiming yourself to be Aspie without a diagnosis can make a lot of people who have actually been diagnosed feel like you're cheapening the disorder. And it annoys people who are in the field, since it's basically a big ol' middle finger to all the schooling it takes to actually make a diagnosis. In any event, if you think you do have it and there's nothing that makes having a formal diagnosis worthwhile, just look at it as "This explains 'x', so I'm going to overcome that. Approach it from the perspective of "It makes certain things harder, so I should strive to overcome them." So yeah, don't bother with a diagnosis unless there's something going on where you need one. It's extra money to get diagnosed, and it can mess with stuff with regards to insurance. And either way, don't think of it as a disability, but something to overcome. I'm going to have to disagree with you, Nap. Now, I obviously can't speak for anybody who works in the field, but as someone who actually has an official diagnosis of Asperger's, I really don't feel self-diagnoses cheapen my Asperger's any. Now, it would be one thing if zachski thought, "Hey, Aspies are shy nerds. I'm a shy nerd, too." That's just basing something on a half-baked stereotype. However, I really don't think he's doing that, here. As far as accommodations go, not even an official diagnosis in and of itself is enough to get them in a lot of cases, let alone a self-diagnosis, so I'm not concerned about any resources I could potentially use going to someone who might not be disabled. And as far as discussions related to disability go, a self-diagnosis or no diagnosis at all is basically equal to an official diagnosis, in the sense that diagnosis or lack thereof doesn't make an experience more or less valid. For instance, in the case of that fire drill I bitched about, my ears wouldn't have hurt any less if I didn't have an official Asperger's diagnosis. In any case, disability, and a cognitive disorder like Asperger's definitely counts, isn't something to overcome, especially since a lot of disabilities are either chronic or permanent. Disability just is. Someone on the spectrum doesn't need to act like a neurotypical, anymore than a wheelchair user needs to learn how to walk on two feet. Granted, people on spectrum do need to learn to adapt to certain conditions, much like how a wheelchair user needs to learn how to navigate certain terrain, but that's not the same as overcoming. |
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Post by Deimos on Sept 19, 2010 6:39:42 GMT -5
Yeah, I kinda got irritated by the " something to be overcome" thing as well. I would pick having Aspergers over being a neurotypical any day, as I consider it a gift.
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Post by The_L on Sept 19, 2010 11:39:07 GMT -5
Yeah, I kinda got irritated by the " something to be overcome" thing as well. I would pick having Aspergers over being a neurotypical any day, as I consider it a gift. I've dated Aspies before, and I agree with this statement. :3 |
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