From reading a few posts on here it seems like this is pretty common but im struggling hard with feeling like a fraud while waiting for my assessment. Im doubting and second guessing whether i have asd or not and the not knowing is bothering me. Some times im absolutely convinced, other times im afraid its all in my head and im seeing things that arent there, this isnt helped by my anxiety issues
As the wait is so long i looked into going private and found a viable way to have an assessment within the next few weeks, but due to the feelings im having im hesitating to book the assessment as im afraid that i may not be asd and then i will have spent a large amount of money on the assessment for nothing. Particularly as i dont have an informant, so this could complicate the assessment. But the NHS list is extremely long and the wait may drive me crazy!
How do i get over these feelings? Im so confused what i should do
Sadly you have to sit out these feelings. I was driven to distraction by the same thoughts so in the end I stopped reading anything about it and just tried to put it out of my mind. I was not very succesful but it is a passing thing as one way or another you will find out at some point and this phase will be in the past. I'm sorry you are there now though - I remember the anxiousness well. I almost didn't go to my second appointment even as I'd convinced myself I was wasting everyone's time. I'm glad I did now.
I have the same feelings from time to time (I'm waiting for my assessment), but someone on this forum told me that nobody suspects they're autistic without very good reason - I found that comforting. Whether your experiences are related to autism or not, they're all real and valid. The way I see it, if I don't get a diagnosis, I'll always be wondering and I might miss an opportunity to get to know myself better.
I hope you get your answers soon.
Thanks both for your replies. Well i have heard that the waiting list is 2 years on NHS in my area, sooo i plucked up the courage and have a private screening appointment this saturday!
Very nervous and still battling with the imposter syndrome but i guess i wont know until i try. I figured the screening apt will at least help me find out if i need a full assessment or not. Ill then decide about weather to go private for the assessment after ive had the results of the screening
That's good news! Hope the appointment goes well.
Exactly - you might as well put your mind at rest one way or the other. At least you'll know for sure if you're autistic or not. Personally, I'm really hoping they diagnose me, because it'd explain so much about my life.
Good luck with the screening appointment
That's great news! I've battled with these same feelings over the past three years since I first began to pursue a diagnosis - swinging from complete conviction to thinking I've made it all up - it doesn't help if you've been gas-lit about it your entire life!
Yesterday I got confirmation that 'you meet the criteria for a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder'. I'm over the moon.
One thing that I found helpful while waiting was thinking that if it turned out not to be autism, I would at least be a great deal closer to finding out what it actually is. With all of the mental health problems I've had throughout my life (I'm 35 now), it would be unlikely that there was no underlying cause / syndrome / diagnosis. And I think the specialist assessment centre would help signpost if they had picked up on anything that might lie outside of their specialism.
There was something else I found helpful to keep in mind but it's disappeared now. I'll pop back & comment if it comes back to me!
Good luck. And remember - your experience is valid.
I don't think you ever get over these feelings, especially if you are good at masking :)
I've been diagnosed by a Psychiatrist and by a Psychologist team and I still cant quite believe my diagnosis.
I know I am somehow different, but I always assumed that I was a born worrier and shyed away from any stressfull social situations and always preferred to be self reliant.
Congratulations on your diagnosis!
I've had similar thoughts for what happens if I'm not diagnosed. I'd still like to pursue the reasons why I'm different, because there are certain factors that have a big impact on my mental health. It'd be useful to understand myself better so I can help myself, so I guess a diagnosis (or lack of) is a step in the right direction either way.
Thanks and congrats on the diagnosis! So much of what you have said rings true to me too. Im close to your age and have also had recurring mental health problems throughout life, and have reached a point i feel i need to know if theres something more going on
Yes, I've been diagnosed three times and still often think I'm a fraud, or there's nothing wrong with me and I ''need to belt up and start being responsible and everything will be fine''. Don't worry about the informant thing, I didn't have one either, these people are professionals and know and understand a lot, so they can work around that. The best thing you can invest in is yourself !
Its kinda reassuring that this seems a common problem among us
I just got back from my screening appointment, i met with a clinical psychologist and he went through my questionaires and did a screening interview.
The result is he is pretty sure i have aspergers, and said if id gone through nhs i definately would have been put forward for a full assessment. Apparently as well as the things we talked about he got indications just from our interaction when he answered the door/hand shaking etc
Its was kinda overwhelming to accept that its actually happening and there is more going on than just anxiety