Help Referral for diagnosis good idea or a life sentence

[IsThisTheEnd?]

is a referral for a diagnosis a good idea - would it really help - say you have aspergers or something I don't know or is it just a life sentence?
Thanks

 

[Callie Arcale]

It depends on what you feel is right for you. Getting a diagnosis can indeed mean you receive a label that you have to live with for the rest of your life, but it can also be liberating to put a name to whatever is wrong with you and perhaps find treatment to improve your condition.

 

[noaccount]

If you are looking for workplace accomodations, vocational rehab training/funding, or help getting disability income - could help for that. (That last one, at least in the U.S., they make *terribly* slow to get on - don't be discouraged if they turn you down the first time! Most people have to appeal at least once and appealing works! See if you can get in touch with other disabled people / a Center for Independent Living near you for guidance!)

Also, yes finding other people with experiences like yours can be a lifesaver. But I remind myself that autism and other labels are just descriptors, not definitive explanations. Most of the better / friendlier Autistic social groups (run by the ppl themselves, not "services") welcome self-diagnosed ppl and aren't too hung up on what a doctor's said about you. :)

Also true that doctors may discriminate against people with disability dx in receiving medical care for other urgent health needs - big scandals here lately about denial of care for disabled COVID patients. And immigration bureaus, if you are trying to move to another country, may discriminate if you are on disability income instead of working.

Tough choice with some drawbacks either way. Maybe better if you can go through an independent private practice, instead of someone affiliated with a hospital system, so the information is kept more confidentially in fewer hands?

 

[GenesAndEnvironment]

It's a card you can choose not to play, so I don't see the problem with having it.

 

[NeverGoodEnuff]

Health care providers and institutions communicate with each other. If you get a diagnosis, any future health care institution (insurance) will know.

I went to a dentist, one visit. Was prescribed an antibiotic, filled at a private pharmacy which I had never used before, paid cash. Six months later, I saw my primary care physician in a city 150 miles away. The pharmacy did not know who my PCP was. The PCP asked if I was still taking that antibiotic....

In the US, HIPPA did not protect your privacy. It allowed all health care providers and institutions (insurance companies) to share all information about you with each other.

If it will make you feel better to have a label placed on your problem, go for it. But it may have consequences later, as others have said.

 

[IsThisTheEnd?]

thanks for your replies ill have to think carefully about this xxx

 

[IsThisTheEnd?]

I had a type of assessment today and I have to say the guy bombarded me with questions, I didn't feel they were concerned for my health in anyway