Published on 12, July, 2020
A few weeks ago, I posted a discussion thread about seeking a private diagnosis.
Well I went through the assessment and earlier this week they diagnosed me with Autism after a long and thorough assessment process. The lady said that I know your a worrier and that you'll think about it until the report is sent to you. I'm going to tell you now that for me you met all the criteria for an ASC diagnosis.
I am relieved and feel vindicated now for how I have felt for a number of years. I was talking about this with my specialist mentor yesterday. I just feel very sad and frustrated that I went through life for 33 years having to try and hide, mask and fit into a world that was one that I did not recognise or identify with. I'm sad that some of my life experiences were traumatic and that I had to go through all that to get to this point. I'm frustrated that it was never picked up on. That I was misdiagnosed with social anxiety when I was 19. How did nobody pick up on it? or consider that it was Autism.
However, I'm also sat here now thinking what's next? I perhaps have just sort of carried on as normal this week as if this week was no different to last week. I haven't felt sad or felt the need to go through everything again. I suppose this just my way of adjusting to the news.
I am still waiting for the full report to be sent to me. I guess once I have it all explained in writing then I'll have a better idea of how to take it.
How did others feel when they found out? I'm definitely interested if you were also diagnosed later in life like me.
dccwal_90 said: I just feel very sad and frustrated that I went through life for 33 years having to try and hide, mask and fit into a world that was one that I did not recognise or identify with
Blimey! I could have written that line myself... just replace '33' with '67' and It's my story. You say you feel 'relieved' and 'vindicated'... well yes! me too.
I had to wait until I was 67 (three years ago) after a private assessment which I had sought as I had simply had it with decades of NHS services failing me. Looking back, I don't know how I got through some of it..... several different lables were put on me, each one contaning the word 'anxiety'. ...Well, as that is one of the biggest symptoms of ASD, how did they miss it? I was sent away with repeat prescriptions for highly addictive drugs to which, of course, I became addicted.
I'll stop there as I don't want to highjack your thread, but I assure you that you are not alone. I have found many others on this forum with similar experiences.
To be positive, I have now read several books on ASD and learned much from them.
Knowledge and understanding has brought great relief.
I wish you well.
Ben