Hi all,
Just been diagnosed at 41 years old this week, when I told my wife and I asked her how she felt, her reply was that she was worried the diagnosis would mean I would potentially change who I was. That said she was not surprised that I was Autistic.
I love my wife, we have been married 13 years and its been good. Over that time through various illness and struggles my ability to mask certain traits has declined significantly. She supports me in most things and I do not want my adjustment to my diagnosis or my exploration of what it means for me to negatively affect her. At the same time whilst daunting, the idea of being able to learn to mask less and play more to my strengths is appealing.
I am unsure if I am wording this correctly but one of several feelings I had when I heard the diagnosis was relief, which makes me want to try and be less critical of myself and be more openly "me", but I'm hiding that a little from my wife presently as I do not want her to see that as evidence of me changing like she is worried about. My wife is kind and compassionate but has no experience of Autism or mental health outside of what she has learned through me.
any advice or similar stories of partners being concerned over the impact of a diagnosis would be appreciated,
Thanks.
