48 yr old just discovering I'm Autistic

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. 

Parents
  • You landed in the right place.

    I have empathy with your historic description.  I retired in 2020 at age 75 after having worked for myself since 2000. I was an employee prior to that through e chequered employment  history. I too was the proverbial "square pin" trying to fit but never gaining acceptance. You will find this support group stimulating, and informative.

Reply
  • You landed in the right place.

    I have empathy with your historic description.  I retired in 2020 at age 75 after having worked for myself since 2000. I was an employee prior to that through e chequered employment  history. I too was the proverbial "square pin" trying to fit but never gaining acceptance. You will find this support group stimulating, and informative.

Children
No Data