Acceptance?

Good morning from America Anotherandy!

For me, personally, yes, getting the diagnosis helped with that issue. The biggest reason is because my wife was not accepting of it until I got my diagnosis, so that fed my self-doubt.

However, there are plenty of people on here that are not officially diagnosed, but rather self-diagnosed. If you believe that you have Autism, then chances are that you do.

One big advice I have for you accepting yourself is consider therapy! It’s not for everyone, but it is very helpful for post diagnosis in particular. Just make sure you get yourself an Autism friendly therapist. I once had an Autism specialized art therapist and it was fantastic (though she was used to younger clients, she was willing to learn more about adult Autism along with me).

Thanks for that - I've toyed with doing some talk stuff post diagnosis and potentially pre, though finding things relatively close by has proven difficult. That said, if I pushed myself there's at least one within an hour or so of me. 

Partner wise mine is very much on board in that it was not a surprise to her. She's a little frustrated occasionally that I seem to be becoming more so more recently, but not in a negative way - she's very supportive. It all ties in with how my mental health is, which is very much linked to my probable ASD. 

An hour away? Phew, that’s far away. Hopefully you can find something online or closer, because that’s quite a ways for what is likely a much shorter meeting than the drive.

That’s good to hear that your partner is on board. 

Anotherandy said:

I seem to be becoming more so more recently

Now that’s something I’ve been hearing more often on here. It appears it’s a common occurrence that when you figure out you have Autism the signs become stronger. I think part of that is the process of “unmasking,” your mind is becoming more aware of how it naturally processes without needing (or perhaps wanting?) to adjust to neurotypical standards.

I've wondered about that - I try to be me for the best part but l, well, truth be told I've masked for years.

It's probably an odd mask though - I had a slightly wayward youth so it's all tied in to weird 90's pub/club/football types who probably weren't the cool crowd I thought they were in my early days.

I'm also what's probably best described as a bit of a nob, not in a nasty way, but my humour is dark, I'm stupidly honest and have to do a load of stuff that I don't want to be doing as I'm always surrounded by people... and I feel very much threatened by that for various reasons (long way of saying I'm grumpy!). 

It all adds up to me not really fitting anywhere, unless I'm with the handful of people that knew me way back and knows where I've come from, and that I probably don't fit where I am now. 

Whatever though, I've never felt I fitted in anywhere so it's no surprise I still don't, and if/when I feel well the life I've created is great. I just need to keep on top of feeling well...

I've wondered about that - I try to be me for the best part but l, well, truth be told I've masked for years.

It's probably an odd mask though - I had a slightly wayward youth so it's all tied in to weird 90's pub/club/football types who probably weren't the cool crowd I thought they were in my early days.

I'm also what's probably best described as a bit of a nob, not in a nasty way, but my humour is dark, I'm stupidly honest and have to do a load of stuff that I don't want to be doing as I'm always surrounded by people... and I feel very much threatened by that for various reasons (long way of saying I'm grumpy!). 

It all adds up to me not really fitting anywhere, unless I'm with the handful of people that knew me way back and knows where I've come from, and that I probably don't fit where I am now. 

Whatever though, I've never felt I fitted in anywhere so it's no surprise I still don't, and if/when I feel well the life I've created is great. I just need to keep on top of feeling well...