Published on 12, July, 2020
I was diagnosed late last year at 42 and was initially happy with the result. Since then my wife says I've gone downhill and been in a poor state mood/mental health wise (I'm not good at recognising my own mental state so her input is vital). I'm wondering whether processing my diagnosis has been harder than I expected and I'm wondering how you found diagnosis as an adult?
I was diagnosed at 59. I was hugely relieved, as I now had an explanation for my quirks, difficulties and limitations. I have viewed my autistic status as being overwhelmingly positive ever since. My position is perhaps privileged, because though my autistic traits have sometimes had a limiting effect on my life, I have a very stoical character and I would not let these limitations prevent me from achieving goals that were particularly important to me. I also, retrospectively, have recognised that some of my autistic traits, the ability to concentrate on one thing (intense focus) and problem solving from unusual directions (lateral thinking), are very valuable.