Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi all,
My name is Jess and i’m a 22 year old female. I received my ASD Level 1 diagnosis last week (I believe this would be equivalent to high functioning autism/Asperger’s).
I was just wondering how everyone ‘dealt’ with their diagnosis and the emotions that were felt? The diagnosis is welcome and for me it feels like I’ve finally found the answer to many of the questions I’ve had about myself and my life.
Last week after my diagnosis I felt happy and extremely liberated - maybe now I can finally stop hating myself for my differences and learn to allow myself to be the true me. A few days later, however, I’m now feeling quite sad, lonely and confused but also a bit of denial; that they must of diagnosed me wrong and I’m a fraud.
Did anyone else experience this? And what other stages can I expect to move through as I begin to process this? How did people find sharing their diagnosis with their family and workplace ?
Thank you in advance :-)
Diagnosed a few weeks ago at 45. I think I have gone through every thought and scenario over the past two and half years waiting for the answer, which I think means I am not finding it too much of a shock. I initially felt massive relief. Over the following couple of weeks I have had the odd sad thought about what if I knew when I was younger, but have managed to stay positive and look to the future. Nothing I can do about the past now, but everything I can do about the future. I think it has now fully sunk in and I have accepted it. I am still working out new things about myself every day as I observe myself with new eyes. I am so far staying positive. Good luck and all the best for the future. Make the most of your plus points and try to manage the bad ones.