I had a very good meeting with a different company Doctor today. He was very understanding of me and we discussed the positives and negatives of my situation. I learnt from him that in the U K you do not actually need to be 'officially' diagnosed with a 'mental heath' problem in order to be protected by disability laws. Only the recognition of the probelm by a Doctor is needed. OK AS isn't a mental illness, but it can be disabling so I am better protected in work now. As far as he is concerned as a work issue the matter is dealt with and the company has to respond to my different needs. So that is good.

With regards an official diagnosis I will leave that to my GP to arrange. I would like to have the certanty ( although it is by no means certain ), it involves a referal to an educational development assesment ( a psychiatrist in other words ). I am interested to do this.

As I may have said I didn't know AS existed before Dec. 2006. A diagnosis will not reduce my anxiety but it can open up more opportunities to learn how to control it better.

Ultimately I am a very happy person. I don't suffer depression but I do sometimes get challenged about my difference and then doubt myself a bit. That will pass again as it has before. Now I am more determined than ever that the doubt does not return.