Recently diagnosed

Hi to anyone who may read this. My name is Jonny,  This will probably be an introduction you’ve heard many times before so I apologise if you’ve heard it all before . I was diagnosed with Autism on Monday this week I’m 43 years old.

It has been a total shock I’m also currently in the middle of an adhd assessment I will get my diagnosis 12th November. My life has been dogged for many many many years with severe anxiety and depression, that I’ve now been told has probably had a lot to do with the autism and potentially adhd and because I have become an absolute professional at masking. I’ve prided myself all of my life in being able to get up and work. That is until 5 months ago when I have ended up having a massive breakdown my mind and body finally gave up. 

I’ve spent all of my adult life being treated for anxiety and depression but 5 months ago in a very very dark place I paid to have a full psychiatric assessment, this is when I was told about autism and adhd concerns,it was a massive shock and I’ll be honest I didn’t even know what either thing meant or was really. Then I tentatively started exploring and looking into them and it was like an explosion in my mind of so many things I was relating to that I just thought were me. I quickly became very overwhelmed and stopped. 


I’m aware it’s very early from the diagnosis but I feel like I’m grieving for my life that has been. I feel very lost and alone but most of all I feel very sad wondering if my life could’ve been different. One slightly more positive thing is I think it has given my mum some much needed answers too she has been with me through the assessments so far and has really began to understand why I am the way I am, I think she has found relief from it that there are now answers.
if anyone read all of this thank you for your time. 

Parents
  • Hi  , welcome to the community, I was diagnosed as autistic last year at the age of 57. It can feel quite daunting thinking about all the ‘what if’s.’ I liken it to mourning the younger you, the main thing now is that you know why you struggle. It is quite a long journey working it all out, I don’t know if we ever get to the end of it. I’m so glad you have a parent that understands, very often family aren’t very receptive.

    I thought i could be autistic, otherwise I wouldn’t have gone for an assessment, it is still strange when you hear the words that you are autistic, I felt elated afterwards as I had proven I was right, it then turned to sadness when the deep thoughts about it started. It does get better.

    It’s a big help to start identifying the stressors and often just making small changes to make them more manageable. I hope you enjoy it here.

Reply
  • Hi  , welcome to the community, I was diagnosed as autistic last year at the age of 57. It can feel quite daunting thinking about all the ‘what if’s.’ I liken it to mourning the younger you, the main thing now is that you know why you struggle. It is quite a long journey working it all out, I don’t know if we ever get to the end of it. I’m so glad you have a parent that understands, very often family aren’t very receptive.

    I thought i could be autistic, otherwise I wouldn’t have gone for an assessment, it is still strange when you hear the words that you are autistic, I felt elated afterwards as I had proven I was right, it then turned to sadness when the deep thoughts about it started. It does get better.

    It’s a big help to start identifying the stressors and often just making small changes to make them more manageable. I hope you enjoy it here.

Children
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