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Autism and health anxiety as I get older

Lonehare12

I’m autistic and finding that health anxiety is getting harder as I get older.

I’m very aware of my body, and things like new sensations, appointments, and waiting for results can feel overwhelming. At times this feeds into a sense of hopelessness.

I’d really appreciate hearing from others who relate or have found ways of coping.

Parents

  • Im not sure I i have medical anxiety but I do struggle accessing services. I have good understanding of medical issues and work to keep myself healthy so I dont need to access the services. 

    Im not diagnosed yet, the waiting list gets longer and longer so I have to accept it may not happen. One of the reasons I wanted a diagnosis was to get people to understand how difficult using the phone is and waiting rooms often leave me unable to speak or understand efficiently. 

    In the past I was treated and medicated incorrectly, I believe an autism diagnosis would have prevented this. 

    For me this is the hardest thing about getting older. 

  • in reply to Downsideup

    hi 

    I also find accessing services difficult, especially things like phone calls and waiting rooms.

    I can understand why a diagnosis would feel important, particularly to help professionals understand your needs better and avoid the kind of misunderstandings you experienced before.

    The long waiting lists are really frustrating. You’re not alone in feeling this way

  • in reply to Lonehare12

    Im incredibly frustrated as I just had a letter from the assessing service saying they can no longer tell me when/if I might be assessed, I guessed I had another years wait. Their service has had to reduce as the funding has been diverted to assessing children. I understand how important it is to be diagnosed ss a child, I wish I had that option. 

    I realise now it unsettled me so much because something I had put on a timeline now has increasing uncertnity as this timeline has collapsed resulting to frustration and meltdowns.

  • in reply to Downsideup

    When you’ve put something on a timeline it helps you mentally prepare, so when that suddenly collapses it can feel very unsettling, I totally get that.

    The waiting and not knowing can be incredibly hard to manage.

    While a diagnosis can bring some answers, I’ve found that connecting with supportive spaces and people who understand can still really help in the meantime.

    Keep reaching out.

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  • in reply to Downsideup

    When you’ve put something on a timeline it helps you mentally prepare, so when that suddenly collapses it can feel very unsettling, I totally get that.

    The waiting and not knowing can be incredibly hard to manage.

    While a diagnosis can bring some answers, I’ve found that connecting with supportive spaces and people who understand can still really help in the meantime.

    Keep reaching out.

Children
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