[mauve]

It's ok to be scared, and it's ok to want a diagnosis so you can start on the path of management and recovery. And you know, even if you don't get a firm diagnosis one way or the other, you can still get help for the problems you're dealing with. It sounds like whatever you're going through is bothering you to a point where it's affecting your life, which is exactly what mental health professionals are trained to help with. So regardless of whether you get a firm yes or no in terms of being on the autism spectrum or anything else, I hope this person will be able to help you!



I know how you feel about wanting some kind of diagnosis, though. I started therapy last month and part of me was hoping for a label, because then I would feel less like a failure, or less like a weak and lazy shit, if I knew there was actually a medical reason for me to act or think the way I do. Sort of like a verification for my feelings, I guess. I worried that maybe there wasn't really anything wrong with me; maybe I'm just too sensitive or too much of a sheltered little whiner. I've only had one session so far, and seeing as I'm talking to a licensed social worker and not a psychologist, I'm not likely to get a diagnosis any time soon. But the nice thing I've found is that she listens and validates my feelings. I've only seen her once, so at this point I can't even say if I'll stick with her or look for a different therapist, but it was honestly nice just to be able to talk about what's going on to someone who seems to understand my thought process and not treat me like a sample under a microscope. I dunno, I'm rambling now. But I hope you find answers you're looking for.