Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi everyone,
My name is Sarah and I'm 56 yrs old. No diagnosis but have spent my life feeling, like many others, that I'm not wired the same as other people and that I don't fit into the world.
I've talked to my GP a number of times over the years when I seem to be struggling more than others. I was told I have anxiety, yes I think I do, but there is so much more going on that I just can't find the right words for.
I read up on being Autistic a long time ago and a lot of it fit with with me. However since watching the wonderful programmes that Chris Packham presented over the last couple of weeks, my life was there in two one hour programmes, I wept, that finally this appeared to put into words that other would understand how my world is.
I asked my mum to watch it, so that she could understand how my life is day to day and that every day is a battle, but although she can see the similarities in me, I don' think she understands.
My hubby of almost 26 yrs, gets me, and since I have been able to put it into words a bit better is trying so hard to be more understanding.
I work in customer service in a telephone based role, but mainly work from home, with one day in the office a week. I can cope with that but team days with lots of noise are really difficult and I struggle to cope.
I suggested my team leader watch the TV programmes and she is now more aware of why I struggle and has been really supportive.
I'm not sure if pursuing a formal diagnosis will help? nothing will change? I feel better knowing that this is me.
Sorry very long garbled first posts. Taken a while to pluck up courage
But Hi everyone, looking forward to chatting with you and learning more.
Hi and welcome, I’m Roy and 55 years old. My mother watched the Chris Packham programs, I most probably got a similar response to you, “ there can’t be anything wrong with one of my children!” My wife was a bit sceptical at the start of me recognising I’m autistic. That was 18 months ago. she now understands and sees why I sometimes do things that look a bit strange. The not wondering why you are different has made both of our lives a lot better. If you decide an assessment is what you want, then go for it. Don’t let the GP talk you down. I made a word document and listed how autism affects me and some of the things in life that went seriously wrong. It’s a friendly bunch here and is the only place I’m comfortable to ask questions, I find it’s only other autistic people who fully understand what it’s like.
I've done the Autism Quotient test and scored 42 and then did the RAADS - R test scoring 153. I definitely have meltdowns and shutdowns, currently in shutdown, just want to be aware from everything.
I will think about the GP for a bit
Thank you Roy for replying.
You’re welcome, I decided to ask for a referral to stop the imposter syndrome, if I have a theory on something, I suppose I like proof. There are quite a lot of people here who self identify. A diagnosis isn’t for everyone. I would suggest trying to process it all slowly, I made it a special interest and ended up in a year long burnout. Hope your shutdown improves, I find with age, I’m more able to steer a meltdown into a shutdown, meltdowns when I was younger were quite scary. There is a phrase sometimes used here of neurokin or neurotribe, I like both.