Is a Self-Diagnosis Legitimate?

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Funny. If one inquires regarding the diagnostic techniques, they're all geared towards determining if one fits those DSM criteria.

Here's a good interview (written and podcast) about Asperger's:

Wise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Timothy Kowalski, MA on Asperger's Disorder

That was interesting shadfly, thanks.

I think he's wrong about that "it's raining cats and dogs" thing.

This isn't much of a discussion, just mud-slinging. A few elitist people are making ridiculous claims that don't have anything to do with what was actually said by the people that they're arguing with. That's the point at which it's not a discussion.. nobody is actually listening to any points. There's all this stuff I want to say.. but I know that it won't matter, because my points will be rebutted without even being considered, so what's the point? Just for some people to make others feel like crap.

Say it anyway, maggiedoll.

Hush, I'd suppose that 'raining cats and dogs' thing is a problem for those unfamiliar with the expression. Children.

I'm actually not seeing much in the way of mud-slinging (except from EletricKite), so Maggiedoll, I'm sure anything you say will be fine.

Um, I wasn't thinking of electrickite. (I wasn't really thinking of you all that much, either.)
I think I want to bail out of this thread, though, I don't feel as though it's going anywhere helpful.

I don't think the "is diagnosis valid?" question can be solved. There are people who accurately self-diagnose, there are people who don't. There are also idiot professionals who diagnose people who don't have anything, and others who don't diagnose people who do. The whole opinion is just going to be based on who each person sees and isn't transferable. And whether it validates them personally.

I think the raining cats and dogs thing is such a lovely metaphor, makes me picture all these cats and dogs raining everywhere... anyway we have to remain positive and that means to ignore the naysayers.

I look at a word or a phrase like a nut I can crack open and look inside to see what I can find. I'm sure the phrase "it's raining cats and dogs" has a specific reference to something historical and/or cultural. It's my little thing. Armchair etymologist.

Actually, Maggiedoll, I think you've actually gotten to the point of this thread. I didn't even expect there to be one, honestly, when I first posted this, but I think you've summed up everything in that one little quote I have up there. Of course there isn't going to be any sort of consensus on the matter of whether or not a SD is valid (or any kind of diagnosis for that matter); it is all a matter of objectivity and subjectivity. I would like to personally thank you for all of your input.

Before I got a professional diagnosis I was self diagnosed for a few months. It's not a nice place to be. If I hadn't been able to afford the dx I don't know what I have done.

What bugs me is the intimation that if you don't fit the criteria exactly as written, then you must not be suffering. It is good to note that the criteria states "or" and not "and".

My self diagnosis helped with getting an official diagnosis. My GP is against self dx's so he sent me to a psychiatrist and I wrote a pretty long essay describing my symptoms.
An official diagnosis really does help when you're looking for work. I would have just stayed self diagnosed but so many people don't take you seriously.

Following years of frustration in today's AA where it seems "professionals" have sent so many people who are not really alcoholics, it is taking a lot of adjustment in thinking on my part to get used to that kind of thing seeming to be so turned around here. But, maybe it is not. In either case, however, having a professional opinion or diagnosis here could take the responsibility for deciding away from myself ... but then could I really be convinced either way? The great difference here, of course, is that my suspected AS or HFA is not deadly, and neither is a wrong or missed diagnosis. So then, the core dynamic that can be helpful to everyone is still the same: "mutual vulnerability, openly shared" (Ernest Kurtz) ... but no such dynamic can exist apart from an altruistic mindest ... and I do not know ...

Ah, enough out of me about any of that for now!

ROFL.. so my statement that there is no answer was actually conclusive?
*dances*
(I know I was bailing out.. but I couldn't help looking.)

Maybe I'll just start saying "There is no spoon" to everything.. But I think then people would get even more annoyed with me than they do now.

Someday, I'm sure diagnosis will be based on brain scans, and then it'll probably be more solid.
(Ok.. I'm shutting up again.. )