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Is it worth getting an autism diagnosis as a 25yr old woman?

NAS79565

Hi, I'm so sorry this is long, but please please even quickly skim through and see what you think. 

I have always thought something was "a miss" with me and I never ever felt normal/right? (sorry if my descriptions don't make sense in this post9, they do in my head haha).Joy

I have had a lot of training on autism as I have worked with adults with learning disabilities and I'm now a care assessor for reablement but I know just how different autism is, and some people I meet who I feel a "connection" to and clicked, it turns out they have autism and everything they describe is exactly how I am.

I don't cope well in social situations, I don't like people (founds funny considering I've worked in care 7 years), I seem to obsess over things and have new fascination and interests every couple weeks. I either go in full throttle or I won't want to bother.

Noises... Where do I even begin. So many things irritate me quickly, I can be fine one minute and say someone's washing machine is on, it like sends me into a mood? Loud noises, they make me want to cry.. But if its loud music I've chosen to put on I'm fine with it. I can't explain it. No matter what I do to try and snap out of these moods nothing works unless I'm in my bedroom out the way in silence.

I can't read people's body language, if someone's having a quiet day I take it as I've done something wrong and they hate me. I can't follow vague instructions, unless someone tells me how to do something properly, I haven't got a clue and have to wing it. If I'm not given clear instructions my brain and anxiety go into overdrive. I'd like to think I'm, well not brainy, but I've got common sense and knowledge, but if I'm bad at something, I've got no hope. I've failed gcse maths 6 times.... 6. Times. At. 25.

I get overwhelmed so quickly and easily. Sensory overload is just next level. If I'm driving and the sky's a bit bright. Bam, bad mood, headache, eyes get achy. In a shop and they shout over the tanoy? Bad mood. Irritated. Frustrated. Anxious. 

Honestly I could go on and on and on. What I want to know is, is it worth getting an autism diagnosis at my age please? I work full time, I can function without someones guidance etc, I've lived on my own before and I'm moving out again next month. But it's the personal aspect of it. All my life I've sobbed and wanted to die because I thought there was something seriously wrong with me and the way my brain works, but I genuinely hand on heart think I've got Autism. Is there a lot of support out there in Lincolnshire? I've got bad depression and anxiety on top so my heads just a shed. 

Thank you so much if you read this xx

Parents

  • Yes! Definitely! 

    The formal diagnosis will identify you as one of us, which will be important when the autistic uprising occurs. 

    But seriously here a just some of the pros and cons.

    Pro's Con's
    A formal diagnosis could help you attain certain support if needed employers may disregard you because of your diagnosis
    A formal diagnosis could help you attain certain benefits such as PIP or access the universal credit limit capability group
    It can provide enough evidence that may lead to educational adaption's 
    It can provide enough evidence to get assistance with reasonable adaptions in the workplace
    The physical evidence of formal diagnosis can help combat the feeling of imposter syndrome
    A formal Diagnosis can prevent you from being unfairly sectioned or detained
    A formal diagnosis can help with access to autism appropriate mental health treatment 
    It can help you explain yourself and the way you think

     

     

  • in reply to Blue

    Thanks for such a clear answer, I’m on the waiting list at the moment, I feel imposter syndrome a lot. I see some autistic people who have much higher needs than me and live in supported homes, I then feel guilty that I can’t be autistic. I’m not like them, some days I’m practically unable to dress myself and need a lot of support, I luckily have a wife who is understanding. If a diagnosis had been available 25 years ago and the support that there is today, I would have gone straight for it and not lived in limbo for so long. I know a diagnosis isn’t a cure but it will bring validation, I seem to only work by logic, with so much of autism not logical, I really struggle at the moment, I’ve only told about 6 people of my autism, 4 replies were ‘I thought you was’. Why has it taken me 50 plus years to see it? Sorry I’m info dumping now, but thanks for reassuring me with your above reply.

Reply
  • in reply to Blue

    Thanks for such a clear answer, I’m on the waiting list at the moment, I feel imposter syndrome a lot. I see some autistic people who have much higher needs than me and live in supported homes, I then feel guilty that I can’t be autistic. I’m not like them, some days I’m practically unable to dress myself and need a lot of support, I luckily have a wife who is understanding. If a diagnosis had been available 25 years ago and the support that there is today, I would have gone straight for it and not lived in limbo for so long. I know a diagnosis isn’t a cure but it will bring validation, I seem to only work by logic, with so much of autism not logical, I really struggle at the moment, I’ve only told about 6 people of my autism, 4 replies were ‘I thought you was’. Why has it taken me 50 plus years to see it? Sorry I’m info dumping now, but thanks for reassuring me with your above reply.

Children