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Diagnosed yesterday….

Hellbell

How did you feel after receiving your confirmation of Autism?

I’m confused and feeling all jumbled up. I knew I was but the confirmation was affirmation for me and to here they agreed that my autism was layered by years of trauma and that mental health worker who insisted it was just trauma (and dumped me unceremoniously when I challenged him) caused me more. Thus I feel justified, seen and heard.

I was relieved but today I woke feeling unsettled as for me it’s a huge thing after 63 yrs of feeling like an alien on this mysterious planet. My enabler was stoked for me as she drove me to the last stage ADOS assessment and was told on the spot but reactions from others has been bland. I don’t know what I expected but having some sort of acknowledgement hasn’t arrived. Is this wrong? Or is this a standard way people react when you disclose what I see as a momentous life altering diagnosis? I don’t usually expect anything from anyone but this is an important factor that explains my behaviour, there’s a reason, there’s an explanation. For once I expected something, anything.

It’s early days but I’m trying not to freak out I should be use to this scenario but it’s the most important thing to ever happen to me but the family hasn’t called, talked to me about how I am, what does it mean…on and on….

it looks selfish when I see it in print but how did you handle it? Did you experience the same thoughts? Meet with same responses? Or non responses.

hellbellNerd

Parents

  • Congratulations on your diagnosis.  

    Personally, I felt elated.  I now finally had an explanation and it made perfect sense.  I now also had a way forward.  But yes, I am getting what you say about mental health services.  Much is born of their ignorance.  This is not tolerable in 2022.  That much we cannot blame the individual for, they haven't been trained and that is the fault of the system which failed to train them.  What I am less forgiving of is the fact that in absence of understanding, they often want to push us into some other box, do not believe our experience and then blame us when we won't get in their prescribed box.  Often even post-diagnosis it can be a battle to open their eyes.

    As for other people, they are a mixed bag.  Some will be delighted for you and really want to know more and how they can help.  Others don't react because they don't understand it and don't see the significance of it or how it's affecting you.  All we can do is keep pushing the enlightenment.  My friends and work colleagues have been great.  My GP and mental health; the people you expect to know what the diagnosis means...well, they have no clue.

    I was 56 when I was diagnosed.  No matter what anyone else thinks, it was the best day of my life.  It can be tough without the support.  But we are here when you need us.

Reply

  • Congratulations on your diagnosis.  

    Personally, I felt elated.  I now finally had an explanation and it made perfect sense.  I now also had a way forward.  But yes, I am getting what you say about mental health services.  Much is born of their ignorance.  This is not tolerable in 2022.  That much we cannot blame the individual for, they haven't been trained and that is the fault of the system which failed to train them.  What I am less forgiving of is the fact that in absence of understanding, they often want to push us into some other box, do not believe our experience and then blame us when we won't get in their prescribed box.  Often even post-diagnosis it can be a battle to open their eyes.

    As for other people, they are a mixed bag.  Some will be delighted for you and really want to know more and how they can help.  Others don't react because they don't understand it and don't see the significance of it or how it's affecting you.  All we can do is keep pushing the enlightenment.  My friends and work colleagues have been great.  My GP and mental health; the people you expect to know what the diagnosis means...well, they have no clue.

    I was 56 when I was diagnosed.  No matter what anyone else thinks, it was the best day of my life.  It can be tough without the support.  But we are here when you need us.

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