• Replies 4 replies
  • Subscribers 84 subscribers
  • Views 626 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Newly diagnosed

Dani

Hi everyone I have just signed up just really to feel part of a community that understands me. I am a 37y female and newly diagnosed. I think I always knew there was something different and when my oldest child got her diagnosis I realised a lot of the traits she has I also share. I'm not sure I have come to terms with being autistic, it was a relief that I wasn't going mad and that my quirks are mine for a reason however its left me looking over my past in a new light and saddens me that had I got the support I was crying out for things would have been different. I am also feeling like i dont know myself i have been masking for so long i dont know which parts of me are the mask and which are authentic me (hope this makes sense).Did anyone else have these feelings? I'm happy and feel like I can now finally start to embrace my whole self and hopefully stop apologising for being my unique quirky self. 

  • Hi Dani,
    I was diagnosed last year at 51 and I feel similar to what you described. No idea what is me and masking and I am permanently exhausted in a way I can't describe.
    I have been open with my diagnosis but I notice people don't understand as they have np real idea what autism is or how big the spectrum really is.  In some ways, I feel better and in some ways, I feel much worse. I just hope as I come to terms with it, it will improve.

  • Congratulations on your diagnosis. I was 56 when I got mine, I get the regret for how life could have been different if only you'd known.

    As for authentic you, fear not. You will slowly start to place that now. Slowly and naturally, that understanding will come.

    And it is perfectly ok to be as quirky as you like!

  • Hello Dani, Welcome.  Everything that you have written above will resonant with many on these pages - including me.  Hang around and join in and see how you like things here.  It is different.  Kind regards - Number.

  • Welcome, and congrats. You wil find a lot of support here, plenty digest. Go slowly and be kind to yourself, it's a marathon not a sprint Slight smile...life I mean