Published on 12, July, 2020
I'm 54 and only just been assessed and diagnosed with ASD.
I had a breakdown after bullying at work, 75 hour weeks and high stress levels.
I spent 12 years under the community mental health team. They diagnosed chronic severe depression and anxiety and at various times have even diagnosed borderline personality disorder. In those 12 years I have only had 12 hours of counselling, been on every antidepressant going and even been subjected to ECT.
About 3 years ago I found an ex on Facebook who was a nurse. She told me I had always had ASD and it was obvious. This helped things, in my own mind, begin to make sense. I'd been in a school for Maladjusted Children as a teen.
I raised it with my GP and the CMHT. My GP made a referral. The CMHT took no notice. As soon as I was on the waiting list, CMHT refused to carry on 'treating ' me. They went as far as to say they would only treat me if I came off the Neuropsychology waiting list.
3 weeks ago, after 2 years of waiting, I finally received a diagnosis of ASD.
During the 2 years on the waiting list I had the crisis team out several times as my mental health care was left to my GP.
Life is already making more sense. I'm not weird, I'm just me.
I still have no idea what happens next. Do I start to get the right support and treatment?
Will This come via the GP or will I be referred to a specialist?
My big question would be: Shouldn't the mental health professionals spotted the ASD? Aren't they trained? Should I ever have been given the harmful drugs I've had? Should I ever have been given ECT?
The last 12 years have been hell. I lost my job, my home and everything I own. I lost my wife.
I feel that if I'd understood myself and ASD I would have coped better and not had the breakdown. If I'd been diagnosed earlier I'm sure I would have dealt with the depression and anxiety better and could have dealt with things better.
I think this is unfortunately all too common.
I've had diagnosed "mental health" issues since my early twenties including a very long inpatient admission.
My ASD diagnosis came aged 30 and they said there was no doubt and were disappointed that it was picked up so much earlier like when I was 4 years old and wasn't "mixing" with others at nursery, etc!!!
I choose not to be annoyed about it though because it can't be changed. I just hope that as the years pass services will get better at recognising ASD and less people will need to suffer and be mistreated for many years before receiving a diagnosis.
It’s really sad how many people share my experience. I was diagnosed this month aged 31 after mental health struggles since teenage years. The assessor said she had never been more certain I was on the spectrum. I honestly feel so sad for myself who has always compared myself negatively, wondering how they manage and I can’t seem to grasp life.
At least we know now... onwards and upwards!