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Hello

KaylouJiji

Hi, I got my official diagnoses yesterday 26th of Feb. Honestly don't know what to think. Kind of shutting down. Feel in limbo, not a social person at all but my OT said that having people that would understand would be more helpful.

  • (Your OT sounds like a wise person).  I am glad you reached out to this community.  Welcome.

    Sometimes a diagnosis can feel for some people like "very big news", for others - their diagnosis may feel less of a surprise or shock (there is no one "right" reaction).

    Everyone is allowed both down-mood days and up-mood days.  On an up-mood day; what type of things would interest you?

  • Hi Kirsten - congratulations on your diagnosis and welcome to the community!

    From my own experience, I completely understand how you confused you might be feeling. In fact, during the period following a diagnosis, it can be common for us - especially as late-diagnosed adults - to experience a lot of emotional dysregulation. Besides feeling relief about getting our diagnosis, this can also include working through a phase where we experience confusion and/or (backward-focused) anger, frustration, grieving and more. So please don't worry - it's normal! 

    The NAS has a great set of articles focused on "after diagnosis", including one covering how you might feel during the subsequent days / weeks / months. You might find them of interest and/or helpful:

    NAS - How you might feel after a diagnosis

    NAS - Other advice covering post-diagnosis including:

    • Talking about and disclosing your autism diagnosis
    • Emotional support for family members after a diagnosis
    • Formal support following an autism diagnosis
    • What can I do if formal support is not offered or is not enough

    In terms of what to do next, my advice at this point (ie soon after your diagnosis) would be to try and give yourself some time and breathing space to process and absorb everything that you've been through, and let your feelings settle down.

    For me, as for many others here, my diagnosis turned out to be much more of the start of a new journey, rather than a conclusion full of instant solutions for my various ASD-related difficulties. 

    Therapy (or counselling) is often recommended after a diagnosis, as a follow up action for your GP to arrange. In anticipation of that, you might find it helpful to borrow or buy this book, which includes discussion of various types of therapy and counselling, together with advice on choosing the right therapist or counsellor - all from an autistic person's viewpoint. Several of us here have found it very helpful, including me:

    The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy

  • Hi and welcome to the community. Hope you find support here and enjoy chatting with us.

  • Hi KaylouJiji and welcome to the community. Hope you will find some connections here that help.

  • Hi! Good to have you here! I think you’ve come to the right place. There are plenty of amazing people on here that can offer advice, guidance, experience and comfort.