Newly diagnosed

Thanks missleidy. I find people difficult so not really been able to share my diagnosis with many people. A number of the few people I have told simply shrug and ignore it. It's a very strange situation. Hope things get better for you soon.

Himissleidy welcome and congratulations on your diagnosis.

I hear you, when you are trying to come to terms with something as big as this you need to be  supported.

It resonates with me because my family aren't what you would call supportive, apart from my son, but he lives in Norway.

I have found this forum to be very helpful and informative, I hope you do too.

Sending you a warm hug.༼⁠つ⁠ ⁠◕⁠‿⁠◕⁠ ⁠༽⁠つ

Hi Patrick_OR 

I would say yes it is definitely normal to feel lost.

I was diagnosed with AUDHD earlier this year. I am hoping with time and being more gentle with myself things will improve.

hi Patrick, i was diagnosed 4 weeks ago and i feel exactly like you do. i am currently so lost. i am grieving and my lost is minimised by people. i question whether i am strong enough to deal with this. i’m sending you the warmest hug. 

L x 

Yes it is normal to feel lost. Welcome to the 'Latelings' club.

Try to read this https://howtobeautistic.com it may help to describe the different stages of accepting a late autism diagnosis.

I'm in my fifties and had so many years of internalised ableism and to some extent still picking the bones of it. I was diagnosed over 2 years ago and

If I can offer any guidance remember to be kind to yourself, its not your fault, you are not broken but are just different.

Hi Patrick - welcome back and congratulations on your diagnosis!

Following a diagnosis, it can be common for us to experience a lot of emotional dysregulation. Besides perhaps feeling some relief about now having an explanation for our past difficulties, this can also include working through a phase where we experience confusion, uncertainty, so-called "imposter syndrome", and/or (backward-focused) anger, frustration, grieving, and more. So please don't worry - it's normal! 

As for many others here, my own diagnosis turned out to be much more of the start of a new journey, rather than a conclusion full of instant solutions for my difficulties.

I second Anna Mod's recommendation to check out the NAS's articles on "after diagnosis". They include one covering how you might feel during the subsequent days / weeks / months:

NAS - How you might feel after a diagnosis - includes perspectives from other autistics

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

Therapy (or counselling) is often recommended after a diagnosis, as a follow up action for your GP to arrange. If you prefer, depending on where you are in the UK, you may instead be able to self refer for talking therapy on the NHS.

Before arranging it, 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:

The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy

This book also taught me some important principles and enabled me to make some immediate, helpful changes - perhaps you might find it useful, too:

Self-Care for Autistic People: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Unmask!

Hello Patrick_OR,

Thank you for your post and congratulations on your diagnosis. I am sure members will offer personal advice and I hope you find the community a useful and welcoming place. 

For now may I direct you to our advice and guidance pages which could offer some support to you. 

Please find the link here to After Diagnosis information.:

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/after-diagnosis.

Best wishes, 

Anna Mod