Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi all,
Over the past 18 months or so, my wife and myself have come to the conclusion that I could well be on the Autistic spectrum. My wife had a slight suspicion prior, but after I had a heart attack last year, it became more apparent, probably due to me being far too tired to keep masking as I was recovering.
We analysed my meltdowns / shutdowns (as we guess they are now and not just me going off on one), triggers, my aversion to noises (I can hear the hum of lights, fridge, electrical equipment etc. and always thought it was strange that I couldn't filter it out), dislike of bright lights (including sitting in the sun for any length of time) amongst quite a few other things and me being a thoroughly anti-social git (a lot of meltdowns always happened prior to going out to a social function, holiday with friends etc).
This analysis led us to the conclusion and has helped up change things lifestyle wise and house wise to help me.
I've also been told by a Psychologist that it does sound like I am, but they don't have the qualification / ability to diagnose me and the NHS authority don't deal with adult diagnosis, so it looks like a private route would be needed.
Although I'm only at the start of trying to determine whether I should get an official / medical diagnosis, I'm just wondering if people my age (nearing mid 50's) do ever get diagnosed and what, if any, advantages does the diagnosis have, aside from peace of mind and an understanding of why I am like I am?
Thanks.
Yes, I was diagnosed at the age of 50 and diagnosed as bipolar at the age of 53.
The bipolar thing is interesting as when I first when / was sent to see the Psychologist, I was fully expecting a bipolar diagnosis. If only because of the way I'd appear normal at one point and then become someone completely different the next for no reason at all. Still waiting to see what the outcome of these appointments will be.
I also get so deep into certain things / interests (like engines, computers etc) that I'd have to pull myself out of the various rabbit holes I was getting into just to appear normal to everyone else around me. Going so deep into things like that, whilst I really enjoy it, seems to have a detrimental effect on me as I know how fast the pistons are moving in my cars engine at 70mph in 5th gear and the loads that the pistons are on at the point they change direction which then occupies my mind along with all the other 'noise' and I eventually shut down or go into meltdown.