Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello and thank you for allowing me to join this community.
Last year I underwent a genetic testing through family relations, and discovered that I had a chromosome duplication called 7q11.23 Duplication Syndrome. This didn't mean much to me and I doubt it would to other people as well. But, I managed to contact a charity called Unique who provided a fact sheet on this duplication and alot of it didn't really connect with myself and it did say that everyone experiences differently. When I got to the behaviour part of the fact sheet and realised that it can create Autistic and ADHD Traits, and then the light bulb came on in my head and I realised all the problems I've had socially growing up going through education and employment was what they were describing in this fact sheet. I've always felt different, and that I don't fit in even how much I tried to adapt (or now I know mask) to be accepted it never worked. I struggled with concentration, and lost interest in things especially employment causing me to have had lots of jobs. Even my marriage broke down, and my own children do not talk to me, and my parents have found me difficult to deal with and I used to think it was all someone elses fault, but now I'm realising it was mostly due to myself misunderstanding things and then overeacting. I now have alot of embarressment over past, I overtalk people and interrupt people, and definitely do not listen like many people have told me.
To get an official diagnosis it will take years, and so GP has accepted that I'm autistic with the chromosome diagnosis, but I feel lost and alone because most of my days are spent on my own I can't socialise but also I don't want to socialise because it's too difficult. How do others manage, I would love to know and would like to get involved in some kind of support group.
It was diagnosed at 53. You can self-refer. There are a lot of questions to fill out but it can definitely be worth it. I was told it would take years but I applied in January 2022 and was accepted for diagnosis in May (expected to take 18 months). I got a call and an appointment in July 2022 and was diagnosed at the appointment (which felt like the best therapy session ever). I felt like my assessor knew me better by the end of 2 hours (in my own home) than anyone had ever. I then was referred for 6 group sessions (online) which were part course and part discussion group. They were really helpful.