Recently diagnosed: struggling to accept

After about 20 years of thinking I might be autistic I was diagnosed earlier this week. Leading up to the assessment I was worried I was just being a hypochondriac and was fairly convinced I would not be diagnosed.   Anyway I was. (It was private but at a reputable place with a clinical psychologist- I did my research) 

After the initial relief,  I’m now in a spiral of obsessive checking and reading of autism related articles/books etc to convince myself the diagnosis is correct. Basically back to square one. 

My brain is saying to just live my normal routine for a few weeks and experience my normal life with this new perspective (I’m off work til next week so I don’t really have to do anything) and also wait for the written report which won’t be ready for a few weeks.

But I just can’t seem to do the logical thing. I keep ruminating about not having enough restricted behaviours or sensory issues to meet the criteria . (There is no doubt whatsoever about the social interaction side!!!)  I feel kind of paralysed and I can’t keep off the Internet. 

Is this sort of thing common? Can anyone relate? 

Parents
  • I am also at the same stage. I was diagnosed 7 days ago and I'm waiting for the report/feedback meeting. I'll send you a friend request so you can pm me if you want. But try not to obsess over it, the best thing is probably to distract yourself with something else while you process the news.

    The autistic spectrum covers many different levels and different characteristics. You might experience some aspects a lot but others barely at all. This is true for me.

Reply
  • I am also at the same stage. I was diagnosed 7 days ago and I'm waiting for the report/feedback meeting. I'll send you a friend request so you can pm me if you want. But try not to obsess over it, the best thing is probably to distract yourself with something else while you process the news.

    The autistic spectrum covers many different levels and different characteristics. You might experience some aspects a lot but others barely at all. This is true for me.

Children
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