Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi all,
So on Monday this week I was given the news that I “satisfy the criteria for a diagnosis of ASD”. I’ve always felt “on the outside” in life, and took the decision to look into a diagnosis last year after becoming so overwhelmed at a family wedding that I felt like I needed to run out of the building.
I spoke with my GP, who was really understanding. I completed an AQ50 test and on the GP’s advice went through the Right to Choose ASD process with Psychiatry UK. I was sent some forms to complete, and then had a few months to wait before my assessment appointment.
By the time my appointment came around, I was feeling in a much better place than when I first started seeking a diagnosis. I’d basically convinced myself that I would just be wasting the psychiatrist’s time, and would be sent away with my tail between my legs for wasting their time.
So I was pretty taken aback when I got the news that I did in fact meet the criteria.
It’s been a bit of a mad week since the diagnosis. I’ve alternated between feeling like I’m imagining things and they’ve got it wrong, and re-examining my entire life through this whole new lens.
I’m just curious as to whether this is a common reaction amongst the recently diagnosed or not?
It's a very common reaction. I think it's pretty much universal on this forum! Be gentle with yourself, it will take a while for the diagnosis to sink in.
Luftmentsch said:It's a very common reaction. I think it's pretty much universal on this forum!
Having dug abut deeper into the forum, I’m beginning to see that now!
Great to have a community like this to lean on. It’s been a strange week: one minute it’s the imposter syndrome; the next I’m getting bothered by things that hadn’t previously affected me pre-diagnosis - like I’m somehow “more autistic” than I was.