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Very-late-diagnosis

Clarissa

Hello everyone. I’m in the process of getting assessed at the age of 71. I’m pretty sure, from what the assessor has said, that I’ll get an official diagnosis, and even if I don’t, I’m happy to self-diagnose. Understanding where I fit has come so late in life, but it’s wonderful. I’d love to know about any others on here who have come to this understanding as late in life as I have. Anyone out there???

Parents

  • Hi Clarissa,

    Welcome!

    I was diagnosed earlier this year at the age of 65. I had to fight to get a diagnosis over many years. I have many co-morbid conditions with which I'm struggling.

  • in reply to Nemo

    Hi Nemo. 65 is quite late enough! Was it the NHS you were fighting with to get assessed? I’m afraid I couldn’t wait, so went privately. I went with the cheapest I could find, which could have been a big mistake, but luckily they’re quite good

  • in reply to Clarissa

    Hi Clarissa,

    I didn't want to self diagnose. I have serious self-esteem issues. I am also a very slow learner and find it difficult to articulate my thoughts, both to myself and others. History suggests I am easy to ignore.

    Over the past five years I discussed the possibility of being on the spectrum with a psychiatrist, three psychologists, two SA counsellors and a mental health support worker and my GP. Each of them said that I wasn't on the spectrum. I believed them.

    I knew something was wrong and I managed to get an assessment via a crisis service.

    Because of my co-morbid conditions I don't have the energy to take in the full effects of the diagnosis. Every day I am in survival mode.

Reply
  • in reply to Clarissa

    Hi Clarissa,

    I didn't want to self diagnose. I have serious self-esteem issues. I am also a very slow learner and find it difficult to articulate my thoughts, both to myself and others. History suggests I am easy to ignore.

    Over the past five years I discussed the possibility of being on the spectrum with a psychiatrist, three psychologists, two SA counsellors and a mental health support worker and my GP. Each of them said that I wasn't on the spectrum. I believed them.

    I knew something was wrong and I managed to get an assessment via a crisis service.

    Because of my co-morbid conditions I don't have the energy to take in the full effects of the diagnosis. Every day I am in survival mode.

Children
  • in reply to Nemo

    That is awful, what you’ve had to go through. I’m glad you persevered until you got the assessment you needed. Many people would have given up in despair, so well done..I think a lot of us have lived with low self-esteem and shame for years and years, always comparing ourselves to others and feeling useless.. Diagnosis can change that I think, but I’m sure it takes a while to change the habit of a lifetime