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.

  • SharkPlushy@lemmy.worldOP
    5·
    2 days ago

    The thing to remember, is that diagnosis official or otherwise does not excuse behavior

    Do you mean it doesn’t excuse being rude to people?

    • Eldritch@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      2 days ago

      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.

      • SharkPlushy@lemmy.worldOP
        2·
        2 days ago

        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.

        • Eldritch@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          1 day ago

          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.