Struggling with symptoms since diagnosis

Hi all,

Recently diagnosed and starting to get my head around it *a bit...* but struggling and wondered if anyone has found / is finding this?

I've realised I've camouflaged extensively over the years, haven't really stimmed and my meltdowns [with a couple of exceptions] seem to have been more internalized and appeared as shutdowns, in that I just tend to withdraw completely.

As I've learnt more about autism and how it can manifest, I find I can't camouflage as much, it's not that I haven't tried to just 'carry on as normal' I just don't seem to be able to. I've found I've noticed myself stimming for the first time but yesterday I was in the supermarket with my wife and got way over stimulated and was being asked the same question several times and felt like I either wasn't explaining very well or just wasn't being heard - either way I had to close my eyes and it was excruciating to hold an outburst in - I'm still feeling the stress of it this evening.

Can I please ask you guys if you found an increase in symptoms after diagnosis and if you found it harder to regulate, how did you manage to overcome it? My wife and I are both still getting our heads around this thing, she's supportive and brilliant and doesn't deserve to be on the back end of any of my frustration.

Cheers

Parents
  • Hi, It does take some time to figure things out after you have realised you are autistic. It could be that you are just more aware of some of the differences and challenges- I used to feel like I had just been told that I had been speaking a different language all my life. 

    In addition after diagnosis, you may feel less inclined to mask, though this is not necessarily a bad thing. 

    I think with time you will figure this out. For me knowing that I am autistic has helped a lot. However I also had moments where I felt broken or less able to cope than before etc. 

    You are still the same person that you were before diagnosis. Just in process of becoming more self aware. 

    I can't really offer much advice. I'm also still learning and figuring things out (I got diagnosed a year ago). 

Reply
  • Hi, It does take some time to figure things out after you have realised you are autistic. It could be that you are just more aware of some of the differences and challenges- I used to feel like I had just been told that I had been speaking a different language all my life. 

    In addition after diagnosis, you may feel less inclined to mask, though this is not necessarily a bad thing. 

    I think with time you will figure this out. For me knowing that I am autistic has helped a lot. However I also had moments where I felt broken or less able to cope than before etc. 

    You are still the same person that you were before diagnosis. Just in process of becoming more self aware. 

    I can't really offer much advice. I'm also still learning and figuring things out (I got diagnosed a year ago). 

Children
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