Should I tell my friends and family I have aspergers?

Post Reply New Topic

My doctor (who's my dads friend) told me today there's no doubt I have aspergers, but he still needs me to see a professional to confirm it. I made him promise to keep it confidential from my dad till the right time for me to tell them. I am thinking of keeping a secret from them because I don't want them to treat me differently than they already do. I also don't want to tell any friends for the same reason. What's everybody take on this?

Not unless it's absolutely necessary.

You would probably experience the frustration that is commonly experienced by many of us, if you do. Your friends would probably dismiss it easily or they might even think that you are making an excuse for something. Or they might start treating you like a sick person.

You only tell those who need to know it for your sake.

Only if you are fully prepared to have at least some of them (out of their own ignorance) treat you like a liar, an "attention-wh***", a "ret*d", or a psychopath.

I have not told anyone, as I'd rather they continued to treat me as "slightly eccentric".

It depends. How do you think they'll handle it? If they're ignorant, "anything different is bad" sort of people, then it'd be in your best interests not to.

If you're unsure, perhaps you should test them. Pretend you've read an article about Asperger's, bring it up (without hinting that you're an Aspie) , and make your decision based on their responses.