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.
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.