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Hi

Tizzle85

Hey everyone. 

I'm Tara, 39 years old from West Midlands.

I've very recently started the referral process for a formal autism diagnosis.

I have suffered with mental health issues most of my life since I was a child. 

I had 2 bouts of post natal depression and was told I had GAD. I've been on numerous types of SSRIs and been for counselling, CBT etc.

The reason I went for the referral was because since I have become perimenopausal, I am finding my symptoms of my thought processes/behaviours etc increasingly unbearable. I suspected initially I might have traits of ADHD but it was the mental health practitioner who said he felt it was more Autism and perhaps ADHD aswell.

This has been a huge shock to me, however, the more I educate myself, the more I am joining the dots and figuring myself out in a new light.

I feel somewhat distressed that my life up until this point could have been much different.

However I'm trying to be positive about it and reach out to others, not necessarily for validation but to make some new friends and to listen to other people's experiences too.

Parents

  • Hi Tara

    Welcome to the 'Latelings' club.

    I was in my early fifties when diagnosed. I had suffered for many years with imposter syndrome and low self confidence. I never considered myself as vulnerable but looking back over my life I now can see how and when I was vulnerable.

    It is normal for us latelings to feel some grief (for that is what it is) for the life that could've been. It takes time to fully process what being autistic means.

    I am too trusting in that by asking for help I have had my 30 odd year career effectively ended by my boss but my union is still dragging their feet over what to do.

    We are a non-judgmental bunch on here but there the occasional differences in opinion, which is probably due to our rigid thinking traits.

    I wish you a successful outcome and the forum is here for support. Just ask away. 

Reply

  • Hi Tara

    Welcome to the 'Latelings' club.

    I was in my early fifties when diagnosed. I had suffered for many years with imposter syndrome and low self confidence. I never considered myself as vulnerable but looking back over my life I now can see how and when I was vulnerable.

    It is normal for us latelings to feel some grief (for that is what it is) for the life that could've been. It takes time to fully process what being autistic means.

    I am too trusting in that by asking for help I have had my 30 odd year career effectively ended by my boss but my union is still dragging their feet over what to do.

    We are a non-judgmental bunch on here but there the occasional differences in opinion, which is probably due to our rigid thinking traits.

    I wish you a successful outcome and the forum is here for support. Just ask away. 

Children
  • in reply to Mr T

    Hi Mr. T

    Thank you so much for your reply!

    I'm hearing more and more about people being formally diagnosed later and later in life. I think I read somewhere recently about a lady diagnosed in her 80s! 

    My perception of that is that perhaps alot of them late diagnosed are high functioning, articulate and very intellectual and so have "fallen through the gaps" and just felt like they had to get on with it. That's my personal opinion of how I feel at this point, obviously I don't want to do my usual party piece and be overly blunt and offend anyone in any way.

    I've always felt vulnerable tbh. I've had alot of battles with recreational substance abuse alot in my younger years and some very impulsive and dangerous behaviours which caused me alot of distress. 

    I'm so sorry your employers have been like that with you, that's so disappointing and makes the whole process even harder to navigate I would imagine! 

    And yes, so far everyone has been very kind and I appreciate it so much as I find most people in general hard work Sweat smile If that makes sense?