Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello. I'm new to this site as I've just been formally diagnosed with ASD in my mid-40s. I have no friends at all, but a wonderful wife and kids. Have struggled all of my life with serious anxiety around a myriad of factors. The diagnosis is somewhat a relief and was expected, yet when delivered it hit me like a thunderbolt. The past two days I only feel despair; having never felt 'normal' (whatever that is) I always hoped I'd feel so much better one day with the correct help/medication. I can't help feeling I'll always feel this way, desperately sad and anxious. Even the consultant psychologists have admitted I have significant issues that are worse now as I was never diagnosed much earlier in life. They are puzzled why I haven't been considered for ASD and diagnosed in the past as it was very clear cut to them when going through the assessments, which is often difficult in older adults. The root cause of my issues are definitely ASD, and I'm trying to be positive about the future, but I'm struggling to see the positives at the moment. Hope to read of some positive stories on these blogs.
Yes, it 's quite something now isn't it?! With the diagnosis you have somehow become a different person. All these years you asked yourself what was wrong with you, now they have given it a name. Your first reaction is to rebel. Maybe you are even angry, or feel insulted, ahamed? Well forget about it. It is all no use, look ahead. You are still the one you always were. Nothing bad is going to happen and the world won't end. The only thing that changed is that you now know in which shoes you are walking. Welcome to the A-Team!
Thanks!