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I

Caz571

Hello

i’ve recently been diagnosed as autistic. I know the diagnosis doesn’t change me. My main reasons for assessment was better understanding and some validation. I think I almost expected to feel like a puzzle piece had been slotted into place. I don’t know. 
But, instead I feel surprisingly overwhelmed. My anxiety has been through the roof. I feel like an imposter. And while the assessment was thorough and transparent, I feel like I have more questions and uncertainly than I did before. I was also referred for an ADHD assessment off the back of the autism assessment so that doesn’t help the feeling of uncertainty. 

I feel like I have been given some information, new but incomplete information. And I feel like I should be doing something with it. But I don’t know what. I was given a diagnosis, but no sign posting of where to get help or support. 

Indeed, do I even need help and support for the autism? It’s not like it’s a problem that needs fixing, it’s just a way of being right? So, what needs fixing, is my anxiety and depression. But does knowing I’m autistic change the way I should be looking at and trying to fix the anxiety and depression? 

I can write a lot of words, but I don’t know if they are saying what I want them to. I didn’t expect to feel like this following being diagnosed. So I thought I’d say hello in the hope I’m not alone in feeling like this after diagnosis 

Parents 
  • hello Caz,

First of all, I live in Germany, so of course I can't say anything about the situation in Great Britain. In my experience, the reaction to a diagnosis varies greatly. For some it is a shock, others are relieved or happy to finally have an explanation for why they are different than others. The latter was the case for me. What helped me a lot personally was the exchange with other people on the spectrum, for example in internet forums and especially in self-help groups. There I met people who were similar to me for the first time and I now moderate three autism groups myself. I don't know if this will help you, but at least that's my experience lg madrugada
Reply 
  • hello Caz,

First of all, I live in Germany, so of course I can't say anything about the situation in Great Britain. In my experience, the reaction to a diagnosis varies greatly. For some it is a shock, others are relieved or happy to finally have an explanation for why they are different than others. The latter was the case for me. What helped me a lot personally was the exchange with other people on the spectrum, for example in internet forums and especially in self-help groups. There I met people who were similar to me for the first time and I now moderate three autism groups myself. I don't know if this will help you, but at least that's my experience lg madrugada
Children
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