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Female & late diagnosed AuDHD

Lady_J84

Hi everyone Wave tone1 

I was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD last month at the age of 40! Previously I have been diagnosed with OCD, anxiety and depression (of course!!!) when I was 19. 

I am still processing the dual diagnosis and trying to be more ‘me’ after a lifetime of masking but I’m finding I feel more autistic and ADHD than I ever have before. I’ve read this is fairly common and a normal response to a diagnosis so am not concerned but I would really like to meet people who are in a similar position to myself, who’s minds work in a similar way to mine.

Looking forward to getting to know some of you! Blush 

Parents

  • Hello Lady_J84 and welcome to the community.

    You will find late diagnosed people here who have gone through similar experiences.

    I was only diagnosed with ASD last year at the age of 63, and like you, I have struggled with enduring depression and anxiety most of my life, but I didn’t feel ‘more autistic’ after diagnosis, just more aware and empowered. I haven’t had an ADHD diagnosis but the online tests show that it is likely I am. I am waiting for the right moment to ask my doctor for an assessment, but the waiting list is over four years. 

Reply

  • Hello Lady_J84 and welcome to the community.

    You will find late diagnosed people here who have gone through similar experiences.

    I was only diagnosed with ASD last year at the age of 63, and like you, I have struggled with enduring depression and anxiety most of my life, but I didn’t feel ‘more autistic’ after diagnosis, just more aware and empowered. I haven’t had an ADHD diagnosis but the online tests show that it is likely I am. I am waiting for the right moment to ask my doctor for an assessment, but the waiting list is over four years. 

Children
  • in reply to ArchaeC

    Hi. You're the closest in age to me that i've come across in re: late-assessment. I was 66 when i received mine 8 months ago. I'm still finding it difficult to process the news, not least because i'm on my own with no support other than my counsellor, who has been wonderful with me (she herself was assessed only a month ago.) There doesn't seem to be any 'real world' help anymore - no local groups worth mentioning - and my gp surgery was of no use whatsoever. It's just a case of assimilating the revelation as best i can and trying to be a little more forgiving with myself, which, i guess you can understand, isn't so easy after a longish lifetime spent thinking i'm just a mass of neuroses and bad decisions. I'm taking things one day at a time, and hoping (not against hope) that i'll meet someone other than my counsellor - someone for my life - who can help me to find myself and be true to that discovery.