Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello,
I am 50 years old (male) and I have never been able to socialise - I get severe anxiety attacks if I get into social situations, but have coped reasonably well over the years by keeping to myself and working from home. I always guessed I was somewhere on the autism spectrum, but having read a few books on Aspergers I now realize I am quite badly afflicted by this condition and can't see much future for myself.
I never had a formal diagnosis, I preferred to try to be as 'normal' as possible - something I now realize was probably a mistake (and certainly a failure!) However, now my personal circumstances have changed I was wondering if would be worth getting a formal diagnosis of this condition now, and if anyone else has experience of having a diagnosis later in life?
Thank you. I don't really know where to begin with this, I can see I'll need to do some research - it's just difficult to know where to start when there is little support locally - but it's good to know that you can get a diagnosis in 'later life', and that there is merit in doing this. I guess this is the start of a journey I should have begun some time ago.
I received my Asperger's diagnosis well into my forties.
My diagnosis has meant that I can do what is natural to me without having an internal argument about whether it is "right" then trying (and failing) to behave in a neurotypical way.
There are benefits which I never realized when I went through the process. For example, when I needed weekly blood tests the system was first come, first served (a terrible system for someone with Asperger's). I mentioned to my care co-ordinator the anxiety this was causing and she suggested I mention I have Asperger's and ask for a time slot. I spoke with the phlebotomy department's receptionist and, whilst she could not allocate me a time slot, she arranged for me to be seen straight away each week (this was almost the same as a time slot as I reached the department at the same time each week).
It is worth searching the forum as the question of benefits to a diagnosis is quite common.