I’m asking because I’m suspicious I might have autism but I cannot access a psychiatrist.
If I do self diagnose and no matter how much evidence I find that I have autism at the end of the day I don’t know that for a fact.
So if I go around claiming I’m autistic when I don’t even know for a fact I am, it feels extremely disrespectful to people with autism right?
It’ll be even worse if I do get access to a psychiatrist and they tell me no I’m not and I’m just weird or something.
EDIT: I don’t want to reply to everyone one by one but I do wanna say thank you for everyone’s kind and helpful answers. I appreciate it.
If you identify with any of the things on the list. It’s definitely not at all wrong to do some mild self diagnosis. The thing to remember, is that diagnosis official or otherwise does not excuse behavior. But it can help you to understand it and overcome it. And there’s no downside in that.
I got diagnosed way later in life and by happenstance (a psychologist informally recommended me to check it, and later did so).
It was a big improvement in my life, both helping me understand why I am this way and cutting myself some slack.
While youtube videos and books helped, it truly was interacting with a professional that could see the whole thing from the outside, and giving me directions on how to improve certain things, embracing who I am and helping me fit in this world.
Like driving a truck in a sea of cars, do not expect others to empathize with your situation, but you can addapt and better understand yourself, hopefully meeting people with similar conditions.
Just a kind reminder: It’s hard telling you’ve got a flat tire from inside the car.
100%. It’s sort of like an owner’s manual for your life lol. It really can help you understand your impulses and frustrations. And even overcome them sometimes. It’s not possible all the time. But just knowing can make all the difference.
Do you mean it doesn’t excuse being rude to people?
Sort of, yes. Basically don’t be a Sheldon. If you are capable of taking care of yourself or self-diagnosing. You are also capable of understanding and mitigating your behavior and triggers. As well as knowing when to apologize to neuro normies.
Going back to the reference to the show. Nearly all of the main characters on there could be seen as being on the Spectrum somewhere. Sheldon’s utter lack of self-awareness and treatment of others was a setup for jokes etc. It was infantalizing. That sort of thing in real life would stress even the best of friends. Neurodivergent or otherwise.
Diagnosis is about understanding. Understanding is the treatment. And understanding goes both ways. It’s a bridge between us and neuro normies.
I never watched Sheldon, but I get what you mean. I don’t think I’m rude at least I don’t try to be. When I was a kid my dad had to really drill it into my head that small things I do or don’t do are rude. Still don’t get why those things are rude I just do what he told me to do so people don’t get fussy about it.
EDIT: My dumb ass thought you were talking about a show called Young Sheldon not the Big Bang Theory. Then I google Young Sheldon and find out its a Big Bang Theory spin off I’m just sat here “wtf” is all I can really think at this point.
Lol no worries I honestly forgot the spin-off even existed. I was always much more of an IT Crowd person myself. Saw a decent meme someone posted a while back relating to the three main characters of the show with regards to autistic social masking.