Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi everyone,
Ihad my assessment for ASD yesterday and was confirmed a diagnosis. I got diagnosed with ADHD at the start of last year and I have just turned 24 years old, and I’m female. I’m just having a huge issue with processing it. I’m kind of in a bit of a mental health crisis at the moment, really struggling to work and generally keep my head above water. I wasn’t sure how I would feel after a diagnosis and it’s really hard to process all the feelings. I’m mostly struggling with it, there was a lot of relief at first but now I’m really scared. I think that because I know it’s part of my mental health struggles it’s worrying me because it’s never going to go away. I know there is a lot of good that comes from me being autistic but I’m struggling to accept I’m going to need help for the rest of my life. I’m already just so tired already, and it hurts to know I can’t change the fact I suffered alone and unrecognised for so long. Really finding it hard to see how it can help at the moment, I know it will and has made me understand myself better but now I do just know I’m different, and I’m so much more aware of it. not sure how to navigate this world that isn’t meant for me.
Welcome. There are ups and downs, post diagnosis...periods of elation and relief, periods of doom and despondency.....but the vast majority of people I have seen write here (and myself included) seem to settle down with a new fulcrum point eventually from which you can leverage your extra skills and extra deficits to reach a point of contented self acceptance. It takes time, but it does all settle...for most....from what I have perceived from the many people who write here.
Don't panic, stay safe and stay sane.
Kind regards
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