Do i go for an assessment?

Hi

I'm 40 (female) and I've never ever felt like I fit in. I've always known I'm different but it's only recently I've started to question if it could be autism.

I read an article about how autism presents in females and I felt like i was reading a description of me -

* never fits in

* anxiety / depression (I've been on antidepressants for 20 ywars)

* struggle in social situations - i hate them and avoid. I overthink every interaction and try to plan conversations in my head. I feel awkward and analyse how I'm standing, how I'm walking and the eye contact I'm making. When I was younger I used to watch tv and try to see how the characters responded to certain situations and then imitate it. I'm a huge people pleaser and tell people what I think they want to hear

* I can cope with loud noises but I can't cope with lots of different noises at the same time

* I hate changes to my routine. I'd have happily stayed in 1 job for 40 years but had no choice

* if doing something new (for example taking my child to a new baby group) I have to research it then let it sit in my head fir a while before committing to going. When I buy new clothes they sit in my wardrobe for a few weeks before they become mine and I can wear them.

* I love spotting patterns like words in number plates or symmetry

I started reading the umbrella picker and a lot of the things she described totally aren't me -

* I can lie and do lie to avoid social situations 

* I'm not massively organised or neat

* my memory isn't great.

I genuinely don't know what to do. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

I did an ag50 test (I think that was what it was called) and scored 33. 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Parents
  • A visit to the GP may be on the cards. The NHS waiting list is horrendously long, if you are in England you have the option of the right to choose. Being diagnosed didn't bring closure but did bring answers and pointed me in the right direction.

    I was assessed and diagnosed with ASD at the tender age of 53 with the recommendation that I'm assessed for ADHD.

    That feeling of being a square peg is difficult and then finally finding the reason behind it is liberating, it also brings further questions.

    Welcome and good luck.

Reply
  • A visit to the GP may be on the cards. The NHS waiting list is horrendously long, if you are in England you have the option of the right to choose. Being diagnosed didn't bring closure but did bring answers and pointed me in the right direction.

    I was assessed and diagnosed with ASD at the tender age of 53 with the recommendation that I'm assessed for ADHD.

    That feeling of being a square peg is difficult and then finally finding the reason behind it is liberating, it also brings further questions.

    Welcome and good luck.

Children