• Replies 3 replies
  • Subscribers 81 subscribers
  • Views 37 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Confused after diagnosis

lorodo

I just had my diagnosis call with Psychiatry UK who said I have autistic traits but not ASD. While I've been reading about autism over the last couple of years, I felt like I'd finally understood why I find life hard and find humans so confusing, and was really hopeful that finding I had ASD might give me the key to managing to sustain a relationship - but now that I don't have that diagnosis I feel absolutely lost, like there's no chance for me with relationships and I must just be bad at them. 

I don't understand it because I seem to have every symptom / characteristic they consider, but I guess not "enough". I feel like I failed the assessment. Like I'd finally found my people, but I haven't made the grade and now I can't join. I almost wish I'd stuck with self-identification. 

My sister was recently diagnosed with ASD and is now getting lots of support from friends and family, and people are taking her needs seriously, and I feel like now I can't voice my needs in the way that she is because I didn't get a diagnosis. 

If you only have autistic traits but not ASD, can you still get support from an autistic community? 

  • lorodo said:
    If you only have autistic traits but not ASD, can you still get support from an autistic community? 

    Absolutely. And one thing to consider is that there are people that self-identify as Autistic without an official diagnosis. Also, you could get a second opinion, if having an official diagnosis is important to you.

  • As far as I know, for one assessor the autistic traits may be enough, for another one - not. I understand your disappointment especially with the family. Honestly if I get assessed and I hear that im not enough, I would still stay here. As for now I'm suspected/self realised. On one hand I'm afraid of being told I'm not autistic and getting no support, on other hand I'm afraid of being diagnosed autistic. So I'm not sure how to proceed.  My therapist says I should be assessed so it will probably happen in some future. What will be the outcome - I've no idea. For me the most important thing is being able to join a local support group (official diagnosis required). The identity is less Important for me. If there is no help for me then I will cease to look for it further, just stick as I am. And stick around here anyway because this place is so important for me.

  • lorodo said:
    If you only have autistic traits but not ASD, can you still get support from an autistic community? 

    Yes you can! Welcome to the community  

    It’s disappointing for you when you find life hard. Just because you are below the threshold for a diagnosis doesn’t mean that things are easy. I hope you will find this place and its resources useful.