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Hello

Wetterhorn

Hi There.  Long Story short, I’m a 56- year-old male diagnosed with depression, anxiety, ocd, and ptsd.  My childhood was marked with the repeated trauma of an alcoholic family.  I’ve always felt most comfortable alone or in nature with non-people things, and l’ve always felt that I don’t fit in.  I recently started working with a new therapist who mentioned that, given that no one was really tested for autism in school when I was young, and given my symptoms, that I may be dealing with undiagnosed autism.  I had NEVER considered this for some reason.  So, me being me, I ran home as fast as I could to watch every YouTube video on the topic that I could.  Then I did a few online tests, like the AQ and CAT-Q tests, both of which I scored high on.  Anyway, now I have a lot to think about.  Get tested for a diagnosis or not?  It’s been a lot to take in, especially for someone whose mind never stops.  So here I am.  Thanks for allowing me to share.  

Parents

  • Hello and welcome to the forum.

    I'm female, 64, and self discovered my autism when I was in my fifties. I decided not to get a professional diagnosis - my doctor said I wouldn't get any support, so it would just be a label - but many do, and find it reassuring. It's a very personal decision.

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  • Hello and welcome to the forum.

    I'm female, 64, and self discovered my autism when I was in my fifties. I decided not to get a professional diagnosis - my doctor said I wouldn't get any support, so it would just be a label - but many do, and find it reassuring. It's a very personal decision.

Children
  • in reply to Lotus
    Lotus said:
    my doctor said I wouldn't get any support, so it would just be a label

    It always really upsets me - on your behalf - whenever you talk (write) about this. It feels really disappointing to me that your doctor had that attitude.

    Perhaps it was more justified at that time, but I'd like to think that progress has been made since then, as reflected in the current NICE guidelines for post-diagnosis care. I also feel that the formal assessment process also gave me a much fuller understanding of my autism-related difficulties - and related support needs - than I would have been able to achieve without having gone through it. But, of course, each to their own. It's a very personal decision - about as personal as it can get.

    mending heart