Newly Diagnosed Adult

Hi Just Want Some Peace,

I had a slightly different diagnostic pathway to many adults as I was already under the mental health team and they referred me, so I didn't have to deal with the difficult process of going via the GP.  However, that said, I did have very strong suspicions (I won't say I knew because I am not personally comfortable with self-diagnosis, although it has validity for many) quite some time before the mental health team worked it out, although I did not really discuss it as I was convinced nobody would believe me!

I think, without going into too much detail, the main pointers for me were the difficulties I have had with people (especially groups and including some overt bullying even as an adult); difficulties with communication (not so much in writing but verbally I often get incredibly frustrated that I simply can't 'get out' what I want to say, particularly where emotions are involved); a kind of 'bundle' of executive functioning & perfectionism & routine/obsession/special interest-related 'stuff' that all kind of interacts and severely impacts my ability to get anything done at times; and a profound sense of 'difference' that I have clear memories of at least back to middle childhood.

The interaction between all of this and the unsympathetic environments I have often found myself in has left me with issues with anxiety and, to a lesser extent, depression which can be severe at times, hence receiving mental health support.  However I have been fortunate to find a wonderful husband and we have a beautiful and brilliant daughter together, who is also going to be assessed via CAMHS.

I think the best things about diagnosis are getting the right treatment plan from my mental health team and it in some way validates my experience and gives me the confidence to discuss my autism openly (with selected people of course - no public announcements via loudspeaker!).

Hi Just Want Some Peace,

I had a slightly different diagnostic pathway to many adults as I was already under the mental health team and they referred me, so I didn't have to deal with the difficult process of going via the GP.  However, that said, I did have very strong suspicions (I won't say I knew because I am not personally comfortable with self-diagnosis, although it has validity for many) quite some time before the mental health team worked it out, although I did not really discuss it as I was convinced nobody would believe me!

I think, without going into too much detail, the main pointers for me were the difficulties I have had with people (especially groups and including some overt bullying even as an adult); difficulties with communication (not so much in writing but verbally I often get incredibly frustrated that I simply can't 'get out' what I want to say, particularly where emotions are involved); a kind of 'bundle' of executive functioning & perfectionism & routine/obsession/special interest-related 'stuff' that all kind of interacts and severely impacts my ability to get anything done at times; and a profound sense of 'difference' that I have clear memories of at least back to middle childhood.

The interaction between all of this and the unsympathetic environments I have often found myself in has left me with issues with anxiety and, to a lesser extent, depression which can be severe at times, hence receiving mental health support.  However I have been fortunate to find a wonderful husband and we have a beautiful and brilliant daughter together, who is also going to be assessed via CAMHS.

I think the best things about diagnosis are getting the right treatment plan from my mental health team and it in some way validates my experience and gives me the confidence to discuss my autism openly (with selected people of course - no public announcements via loudspeaker!).