Introducing myself

Thank you

I completely understand how you’re feeling. I went through exactly this after my own diagnosis. At first, there’s that relief of finally having an explanation for so much, but then the grief can hit, often unexpectedly. For me it was mourning the years of struggle, misunderstanding, and missed support, as well as realising how much easier some things would have been if I’d known sooner. I also went through a stage of anger, towards my parents and the professionals in my life as a child, such as teachers etc, as I think to myself why didn’t they see it sooner. All of these feelings are perfectly natural responses, and it doesn’t mean your diagnosis is a bad thing, it’s just part of processing everything. Be kind to yourself, and remember that these feelings will pass as you adjust and find peace with this new understanding of yourself.

Thanks Andy. Helpful advice after perhaps initial relief I seem to having what feels like a ‘grieving’ for some reason. 

Hello and welcome to the forum! Congratulations on your diagnosis.

The best advice is to give yourself plenty of time to learn and accept your diagnosis. It took my a while to accept my diagnosis but it’s got a lot better with time and learning. 

Hope to see more posts from you soon 

Thank you Desmond 

Thanks Wib 

Welcome to the forum

That’s really cool that you have some good friends you clearly accept you as you (as I’m sure you accept them). 

I totally get what you mean about verbal rules. I need to read it, what it, read it again, have a go with someone guiding me through. Another reason why I’m nervous about playing in person. 

I’ve never really been any good at computer games (I like having a go but get stuck easily!) but I’m of an age where I was put off by having a Spectrum (what an ironic name now) 128 and tapes that always crashed. My friends were much trendier and had Commodore 64 machines and better games. 

Welcome, Mate!

Hi Starscream84 I've never really tried tabletop games - though it feels like I might like them since I like video games - just never had the opportunity. I am lucky in having a group of friends where we play board games together though. I enjoy playing board games, but I've discovered that my brain is incapable of being verbally told the rules, nothing registers for me, so I have to watch others play the game and then I pick up the patterns as I go and realise it's never as complicated as I thought. It also means I invariably lose! Luckily I'm not competitive.

Apart from my wife who figured out with me what my "label" was, I privately told two close friends (separately) via WhatsApp that I suspected I was autistic - I'm not diagnosed, so I always choose my words carefully. It was a bit nerve wracking, but both of them accepted me and were happy to know, so I'm glad I've got two good friends at least!

That doesn’t sound cowardly Galaxy42. I sent an email to few key work people and told them I don’t mind people knowing so that it just become knowledge without too much direct conversation. So far I’ve only had ‘I’d never have thought you weee autistic. But now that I know that you are it makes sense”.  Not sure what to do with that other than think post-diagnosis and sharing of it it, we all have some information we didn’t have before and maybe that helps us navigate things better going forwards. 

Thank you SarJakittenwizard

I find that a very helpful way of expressing what I’ve experienced but not been able to articulate to myself fully nevermind other people. Thank you. 

I'm in a very similar situation. I'm 50 & received my diagnosis on Xmas Eve, first time in years that Santa has delivered something I actually wanted.

I couldn't bring myself to tell people face to face, I sent my brother a copy of the diagnosis on WhatsApp and then made an announcement on Facebook.

I know that sounds kind of cowardly, but I just wouldn't have coped well with the "You don't seem autistic" comments, which there were plenty of. Generally it went pretty well & with the office gossip being on my Facebook, everyone should have been told & gotten  over it before I go back to the office tomorrow & hide in my corner

Welcome to the forum. I also really like reading other peoples stories. I find that hearing other peoples views helps me think more about my own tendencies.

Yes it has made a huge difference thanks. I’m using old CBT  (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) handouts for depression. It’s easier said than done. It’s as if I know some things in my head, but I can’t feel them in my heart. Science has shown it’s possible to ‘rewire’ the part of the brain responsible for the negative thoughts and lies we tell ourselves, by replacing them with positive facts that you have proven using logic. 

Thanks ArchaeC that’s really encouraging :) I hope you’re finding past and present experiences viewed differently post-diagnosis helpful.  

Hello and welcome! Like you I was recently diagnosed  just before Christmas, and have had longstanding depression, anxiety and feeling not like an adult. It can be an up and down journey just after diagnosis, but it is a positive thing, and hopefully, it will help explain some of your challenges that may have contributed to depression and anxiety.

Thanks for the info. I’ll add Livy to my list. 

Glad to hear, I'm sure you'll enjoy The Witcher if you like fantasy. This is the first book I've actually read on the topic of the Roman Empire (or Republic, rather), and I'm really enjoying it so far. I've seen reviews that complain that it gets very repetitive (e.g. so-and-so becomes consul, they do this, and then die)... but I haven't found it to be like that, and I'm definitely enjoying it. I'll have to check out Josephus at some point.