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Diagnosis help

Remigirl

Hi all,

I'm a 30 year old female and I just today received my ASD diagnosis after weeks of waiting after my assessment (which I found very very difficult) and I think I am struggling to process it. I have been all consumed for so long, being obsessed with researching the symptoms, signs and all of the questions I answered during my assessments and I was sure that I would get the diagnosis (apart from the imposter syndrome coming in and me absolutely doubting myself).

Now that I have actually received it I feel almost numb and don't know how to feel or what I should do now. I thought in my head that I would have a huge reaction and sense of relief but it almost feels as though there is nothing there. 

My report will be ready in the next few days hopefully but I suppose all I can do is wait for this and the next steps. Which they have also recommended that I have an ADHD assessment to complete the full picture. 

I had my assessment with Clinical Partners and honestly they have been amazing but I suppose I'm looking to see:

  • If anyone else has had a similar experience after receiving their diagnosis?
  • What happens regarding an ADHD assessment following on from this?
  • How do I start to process this?

Any tips or just plain old advice would be much appreciated at a very overwhelming confusing time. 

Thanks.

Parents

  • Congratulations on your diagnosis!

    Following a diagnosis, it can be common for us to have a period where we experience lot of emotional dysregulation.

    Besides perhaps feeling relieved about now knowing that autism explains our difficulties, this can also include experiencing mixes of feelings like numbness, confusion, uncertainty, "imposter syndrome", (backward-focused) anger, frustration, grieving, and more. So please don't worry - it's normal, and your feelings might well vary over the coming days and months. 

    I soon realised after my own diagnosis that it was going to be the start of a new learning journey, rather than a conclusion that came complete with instant solutions for my difficulties.

    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 - 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

    Finally, I'll just mention a couple of books that I and others have found helpful early on in our post-diagnosis journeys:

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

    How to Be Autistic (free download currently available via this page)

    Remigirl said:
    What happens regarding an ADHD assessment following on from this?

    Once they've received your diagnosis report, your GP should arrange this - and Right to Choose is again available as an option (in England only). 

Reply

  • Congratulations on your diagnosis!

    Following a diagnosis, it can be common for us to have a period where we experience lot of emotional dysregulation.

    Besides perhaps feeling relieved about now knowing that autism explains our difficulties, this can also include experiencing mixes of feelings like numbness, confusion, uncertainty, "imposter syndrome", (backward-focused) anger, frustration, grieving, and more. So please don't worry - it's normal, and your feelings might well vary over the coming days and months. 

    I soon realised after my own diagnosis that it was going to be the start of a new learning journey, rather than a conclusion that came complete with instant solutions for my difficulties.

    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 - 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

    Finally, I'll just mention a couple of books that I and others have found helpful early on in our post-diagnosis journeys:

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

    How to Be Autistic (free download currently available via this page)

    Remigirl said:
    What happens regarding an ADHD assessment following on from this?

    Once they've received your diagnosis report, your GP should arrange this - and Right to Choose is again available as an option (in England only). 

Children
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