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Newly diagnosed at 53

MimiLexis

Hello all

I have just recieved my Autism level 1 diagnosis this morning. I feel relieved and shocked even though I knew I was on the spectrum. My dad was undiagnosed and he never spoke until he was 8. My son is on the spectrum, Aspergers and PDA and my youngest granddaughter is non verbal autistic.

The psychiatrist was lovely, she explained things to me as to how she came to my diagnosis and highlighted I had done well to get this far. Her report will be ready in 2 weeks and hopefully I will be understood more.

I hit rock bottom last spring when I broke down and couldn't continue pretending (aka masking) anymore. I struggle with instructions in work settings, being told I am dramatic or that I am miserable and speak to people in an arrogant way. I dont have any friends and moved 250 miles in February this year to be nearer my son and daughter in law. I can finally have answers for the difficult childhood I had interacting with children and understanding schoolwork and social settings, I struggled in every way up until my burnout last year. I cant keep a job for long and getting told off by managers over the years for my behaviours. I want to be me now, no more trying to fit in or stressing and preparing to interact with people every day.

I hope all undiagnosed older adults like myself get the diagnosis that is right for them and live a happier life, we deserve that after living a lot of years being misunderstood.

Parents

  • Hi,  I was also 53 when I my diagnosis came about, it was honestly a relief, albeit a bit short lived, the autistic grief/anger thing came in hard and took some shaking.

    I was also diagnosed with ADHD-i 8 months after that. I suppose they'd been keeping each other in check to some degree or other. I'd always felt out of place. It was like I didn't belong and the people close to me weren't really friends or family in an emotional sense, they were just people I was familiar with. (I still struggle hugely with this) 

    I have two adult kids, one is autistic and the other is trans, as they grew older I began to recognise some of their behaviours in myself. I suppose if you don't know that you're different until it's pointed out or you make that leap yourself.

    I've struggled with my mood for as long as I can remember and it wasn't until I was 50 that someone made the suggestion that my TRD could be rooted in undiagnosed neurodivergence.

    I've recently joined my local autism peer support group, it just feels so freeing being able to discuss thoughts and feelings without feeling like a freak (for want of a better word).

    Anyway, welcome. I hope you find your place in the world, hopefully I'll also find mine.

Reply

  • Hi,  I was also 53 when I my diagnosis came about, it was honestly a relief, albeit a bit short lived, the autistic grief/anger thing came in hard and took some shaking.

    I was also diagnosed with ADHD-i 8 months after that. I suppose they'd been keeping each other in check to some degree or other. I'd always felt out of place. It was like I didn't belong and the people close to me weren't really friends or family in an emotional sense, they were just people I was familiar with. (I still struggle hugely with this) 

    I have two adult kids, one is autistic and the other is trans, as they grew older I began to recognise some of their behaviours in myself. I suppose if you don't know that you're different until it's pointed out or you make that leap yourself.

    I've struggled with my mood for as long as I can remember and it wasn't until I was 50 that someone made the suggestion that my TRD could be rooted in undiagnosed neurodivergence.

    I've recently joined my local autism peer support group, it just feels so freeing being able to discuss thoughts and feelings without feeling like a freak (for want of a better word).

    Anyway, welcome. I hope you find your place in the world, hopefully I'll also find mine.

Children
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