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Coming to terms with realising you are probably autistic

Ultramarine

Hi,

Sorry I've been posting on here such a lot recently.  I was just wondering if anyone can relate to this.

Did you find it hard to come to terms with, when you first realised you might be autistic?  I haven't yet been diagnosed, but I'm becoming more and more sure that I am autistic, the more I find out about autism and recognise the signs in myself.

I'm finding that it's very hard for me to concentrate on work at the moment, and I'm just feeling upset, tense and unsettled.  Also really anxious.

I don't know if this is normal or if anyone else experienced this when you were at a similar stage?

I don't know if I should try to fight it and carry on as normal, or give myself a bit of slack and try to rest a bit more when I can.

Parents

  • Some good replies here but I'm adding my two penneth! 

    I was indecisive about going for an assessment for over four years. I put myself forward for private assessment whilst in the middle of NHS CBT therapy.  I went through bouts of "yes I definitely am" to "who the hell do I think I am, being on the spectrum?" It mostly depended on how stressful my day had been. I saw the assessment as beneficial to give me some answers with a result either way.  My diagnosis helped inform my CBT. It's helped me understand what I can change and what I can't.  It's helped me deal with relationship misunderstandings. It's helped me be kinder to myself which is one of the most important things.  So be kind to yourself while you are waiting and cut yourself some slack. If you need to rest then rest. Write things down to help. Keep posting on here. You feel anxious now, this will probably increase leading up to your assessment. Ride it out and remind yourself why you are doing it. 

    I think coming to terms with it was relatively easy because I knew, deep down. I didn't want a label, it was more about informing my mental health.  But the word "autistic" is quite strong and I'm still getting used to it. I was diagnosed with Aspergers "subtype" and this also made me feel uncomfortable. I've got used to it more now. I would like to tell people I've got a "touch of the Temple Grandin's" but they probably wouldn't know what I was on about haha.

  • in reply to Deleted User

    Hi Out_of_step,

    Thanks a lot for your kind words.  I'm really pleased to hear that your diagnosis has helped to improve your life in different ways.  It's great that you got the answer which allowed you to understand yourself better.

    I am feeling a little better at the moment.  The other day I talked with an autistic friend who told me that it would be good to just assume I'm autistic because the traits fit me, and to start reading more about autism and use strategies to make life better.  I think I was holding back from doing this, because I was scared of how I would later feel if I was told I wasn't autistic at my assessment.  But I think I'm moving past this feeling now.  I'm pretty sure that I'm autistic and can see it in myself in day-to-day life.  I will look for ways to improve my life, because this feels more empowering than just waiting.

    Thanks again for your support, it's much appreciated.

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  • in reply to Deleted User

    Hi Out_of_step,

    Thanks a lot for your kind words.  I'm really pleased to hear that your diagnosis has helped to improve your life in different ways.  It's great that you got the answer which allowed you to understand yourself better.

    I am feeling a little better at the moment.  The other day I talked with an autistic friend who told me that it would be good to just assume I'm autistic because the traits fit me, and to start reading more about autism and use strategies to make life better.  I think I was holding back from doing this, because I was scared of how I would later feel if I was told I wasn't autistic at my assessment.  But I think I'm moving past this feeling now.  I'm pretty sure that I'm autistic and can see it in myself in day-to-day life.  I will look for ways to improve my life, because this feels more empowering than just waiting.

    Thanks again for your support, it's much appreciated.

Children
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