Navigating a recent late diagnosis

Hi AUthenticity, I can definitely relate to what you are talking about, having a similar experience a few weeks ago now. Not sure if I was going through some kind of burnout thing but I was exhausted and very anxious/stressed. I didnt really know anything about autism at all and.discovering that I could be autistic blew me away really. It took quite a few weeks to be at more at peace with myself. At first I felt like I was some kind of broken thing and no matter how hard I tried I was never going to overcome some of my issues. I think that was the hardest thing for me. I am slowly re discovering myself again and someways yes it does feel like a backward step but I am feeling overall a lot less anxious and my mind has calmed a lot. My advice would be to take your time, try to be kind to yourself and if you have a close friend/loved one then they can support a lot if you let them

Afternoon WhiteD404,

It sounds like you're doing really well, and you're making good progress really quickly. You're covering ground in weeks that has taken me months!

You are so right about trying to let the people who love you help. I am not very good at that, to be honest. Part of the mask has that I've always been 'fine' and I try to help others around me. Feeling this unwell and vulnerable is incredibly difficult, and there is still a huge part of me that is wishing this would all go away and that I can just be 'fine' again - but I now that door is closed to me. I just need to accept that, as resisting the inevitable is the thing that is probably causing me the most harm now.

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, they are so relatable and helpful

Hi AUthenticity, thanks for your kind words, I think I am on the right track but its very bumoy. I didnt have a good day yesterday. I certainly feel I have regressed in a lot of ways since making the discovery. I am with you, it took a lot of courage to ask for help, something I am very much rubbish at. I have seen it is a sign of weakness and like you don't like to be vulnerable, I think on the whole I'm glad I made the discovery even though its been hell. I think I was heading for a more serious burnout and worse health issues. My next big thing is to decide what to do about work...something `I'm trying not to think about!

Sorry you didn’t get much joy from the event I would imagine it will have a been a big deal. I don’t think I would be brave enough tbh. 
I  not sure about work will need to see what options are available. I agree with your assessment it’s a big thing so not going to rush into something. 

Sorry for the slow response, I have been away for a couple of days - I went to A-Fest (Autism Fest), my first experience of being out in public as a diagnosed autistic person, which is a whole other story...!

I think you are very wise to have seen the signs of a severe burnout and to be taking steps to avoid it. It is certainly something to avoid if possible. It is very unusual to take what feels like such a drastic step as leaving work though, especially when so much of our status and worth and blending in is tied up in work and being productive. And that doesn't even cover the economic necessity. It's all so delicately balance between what is ultimately the lesser of two evils. Do you have a sense of which is the lesser evil in your situation? 

I'm okay. There is a lot to process after that A-Fest experience. Most notably the fact that I was hoping to feel like I'd found my tribe, and I'd meet people who had walked this path to an extent that they could be role models for where I orientate myself next. But it was not the magical, transformative experience I had pinned my naive hopes on it being. Which is not surprising, but it is disappointing. I am scouring the landscape for somewhere safe to land, and I thought that might have been it to some extent. The search continues! 

Sorry to hear that and agree better to take it day by day. I am concerned about getting a severe burnout, so would need to think through any work option/change carefully. After working for 33 years or so feels very odd to possibly be giving up work. 

Feeling better today which is good, still a bit tired but that is not unusual. 

How are you getting on?

Sorry to hear that and agree better to take it day by day. I am concerned about getting a severe burnout, so would need to think through any work option/change carefully. After working for 33 years or so feels very odd to possibly be giving up work. 

Feeling better today which is good, still a bit tired but that is not unusual. 

How are you getting on?

Sorry you didn’t get much joy from the event I would imagine it will have a been a big deal. I don’t think I would be brave enough tbh. 
I  not sure about work will need to see what options are available. I agree with your assessment it’s a big thing so not going to rush into something. 

Sorry for the slow response, I have been away for a couple of days - I went to A-Fest (Autism Fest), my first experience of being out in public as a diagnosed autistic person, which is a whole other story...!

I think you are very wise to have seen the signs of a severe burnout and to be taking steps to avoid it. It is certainly something to avoid if possible. It is very unusual to take what feels like such a drastic step as leaving work though, especially when so much of our status and worth and blending in is tied up in work and being productive. And that doesn't even cover the economic necessity. It's all so delicately balance between what is ultimately the lesser of two evils. Do you have a sense of which is the lesser evil in your situation? 

I'm okay. There is a lot to process after that A-Fest experience. Most notably the fact that I was hoping to feel like I'd found my tribe, and I'd meet people who had walked this path to an extent that they could be role models for where I orientate myself next. But it was not the magical, transformative experience I had pinned my naive hopes on it being. Which is not surprising, but it is disappointing. I am scouring the landscape for somewhere safe to land, and I thought that might have been it to some extent. The search continues!