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Positive Diagnosis Reaction

NAS84405

Hello,

Although I posted on here before once 7 months ago,  a positive diagnosis of ASC was confirmed last week.

Prior to this, I was already struggling to function adequately - sleep was very poor plus a raft of other difficulties meant that whenever I didn't have an external demand on me I was basically not succeeding to pull myself together enough to do anything.

Since the diagnosis last week, this seems to have intensified. My attempts to get rest during the day are unsuccessful, so getting so very little done, but now there seems to be a huge amount of sadness, anger and pent energy mixed in with a tiredness I can't adequately describe.

Just saying the above here as I need to say it at least somewhere. Really don't know how to handle this and get back to being more dynamic.

  • in reply to GuybrushThreepwood

    Thanks for adding your insight. I haven't yet got a clear view of the cognitive sequence that's provoking the feelings - hopefully this will become clearer.

    One of the challenges is 'understanding family or friends'. My family life is haphazard at best - 2 ADHD kids, 1 more diagnosed autistic (which is what got me looking into this, alongside a personal declining ability to 'function'), another child with other issues that haven't been diagnosed beyond the traumatic after effects of anorexia, and my youngest who is increasingly evidencing that he may be neurodiverse. As a result, there's very little time to talk with my wife. Haven't told any extended family yet. No close friends. I have an old friend who lives in the USA who - somewhat oddly - I have told.  We message but there's not much sense of connection or understanding on this.

    I do have counselling - it became more or less inevitable last year - but that, of course is all very professional.

    Long story short, I don't think I have that connection with anyone at present in a way that I will feel understood.

  • This is quite common, especially in later diagnosed folk as they can feel upset that they’ve spent so much time struggling and wonder what could have been if they were diagnosed much earlier. You are definitely not alone in feeling like this. Have you confided in any understanding friends or family?

  • in reply to NAS84405

    Not sure where the emoji's came from. Ignore those!

  • in reply to Autonomistic

    Thanks for your reply - helps with not feeling quite so isolated.

    It is a 'later' diagnosis, well into my 48th year. No mouth

    Will take a look at the link. Thanks again.

    ConfusedNo mouth

  • Welcome back.

    The diagnostic process does tend to release a whole raft of emotions. I have described my post diagnostic journey as an emotional rollercoaster. Sadness and anger is not an uncommon reaction and is understandable. You will have been questioned about your early life and that may have opened up some memories which have been buried for a long time.

    Also there is a tendency to re-evaluate past events through a new found autistic lens. If your diagnosis comes later in life there can be a sort of grief for the life you could have had, how you may have done things differently if you had known earlier.

    It's worth having a read of this recent discussion on here:

    https://community.autism.org.uk/f/introduce-yourself/33001/post-diagnostic-counselling

    The exhaustion and loss of function you are experiencing could be an indicator of autistic burnout.