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Newly Assessed - Any advice?

martintheactor

I've lurked here for a while. And yesterday after over two years waiting for an assessment I had it. The psychiatrist has said I am Level 2 Autistic. I'll be honest it's something it's always something I've either been told, or considered. It was only after massive burnout that I finally thought maybe some of the experiences I have had could do with context. Was I struggling because autistic, or because I'm just odd...or both!

It'll be somewhere around 4-8 weeks from what I've read on Psychaitry UK's website to get the paperwork and such, but I bluntly asked the assessor yesterday when I can consider it a formal diagnosis. He told me then and there. 

Twenty-three hours after the assessment now and I kinda don't know how to process it all. So I guess I'm asking what advice people might have?

For context I'm late 30s, have struggled with burnout on and off, but did manage to get my BA, Masters and even a teaching qualification. I've mostly been self employed, but the latest burnout has me now unemployed. I've for the first time been trying to take that break and I guess work through health issues construstively.

Thanks in advance folks.

Parents

  • Hi Martin and welcome to the community!

    During the period following a diagnosis, it can be common for us - especially as late-diagnosed adults - to experience a lot of emotional dysregulation. Besides feeling relief about getting our diagnosis, this can also include working through a phase where we experience (backward-focused) anger, frustration, grieving and more. So please don't worry if you experience this - it's normal! 

    The NAS has a great set of articles focused on "after diagnosis", including one covering how you might feel during the subsequent days / weeks / months. You might find them of interest and/or helpful:

    NAS - How you might feel after a diagnosis

    NAS - Other advice covering post-diagnosis including:

    • Talking about and disclosing your autism diagnosis
    • Emotional support for family members after a diagnosis
    • Formal support following an autism diagnosis
    • What can I do if formal support is not offered or is not enough

    NAS - Autistic fatigue and burnout

    In terms of what to do next, my advice at this point (ie soon after your diagnosis) would be to try and give yourself some time and breathing space to process and absorb everything that you've been through, and let your feelings settle down.

    For me, as for many others here, my diagnosis turned out to be much more of the start of a new journey, rather than a conclusion full of ready-made solutions for my various difficulties.  

    Therapy is often recommended after a diagnosis (including by Psychiatry UK, who also diagnosed me) as a follow up action for your GP to arrange. You might find it helpful to borrow or buy this book, which includes discussion of various types of therapy and counselling, together with advice on choosing the right therapist or counsellor - all from an autistic person's viewpoint. Several of us here have found it very helpful, myself included:

    The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy

Reply

  • Hi Martin and welcome to the community!

    During the period following a diagnosis, it can be common for us - especially as late-diagnosed adults - to experience a lot of emotional dysregulation. Besides feeling relief about getting our diagnosis, this can also include working through a phase where we experience (backward-focused) anger, frustration, grieving and more. So please don't worry if you experience this - it's normal! 

    The NAS has a great set of articles focused on "after diagnosis", including one covering how you might feel during the subsequent days / weeks / months. You might find them of interest and/or helpful:

    NAS - How you might feel after a diagnosis

    NAS - Other advice covering post-diagnosis including:

    • Talking about and disclosing your autism diagnosis
    • Emotional support for family members after a diagnosis
    • Formal support following an autism diagnosis
    • What can I do if formal support is not offered or is not enough

    NAS - Autistic fatigue and burnout

    In terms of what to do next, my advice at this point (ie soon after your diagnosis) would be to try and give yourself some time and breathing space to process and absorb everything that you've been through, and let your feelings settle down.

    For me, as for many others here, my diagnosis turned out to be much more of the start of a new journey, rather than a conclusion full of ready-made solutions for my various difficulties.  

    Therapy is often recommended after a diagnosis (including by Psychiatry UK, who also diagnosed me) as a follow up action for your GP to arrange. You might find it helpful to borrow or buy this book, which includes discussion of various types of therapy and counselling, together with advice on choosing the right therapist or counsellor - all from an autistic person's viewpoint. Several of us here have found it very helpful, myself included:

    The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy

Children