Published on 12, July, 2020
I was talking to someone the other day as they haven't sought after a diagnosis for ASD as they didn't want to regret it later (as they thought an official diagnosis could limit their opportunities after university), and it got me thinking. I did not consider any of the potential issues after getting an official diagnosis, I just wanted some answers. Unlike them, I have had various mental health issues, and I've tried therapy many times to no avail. Obviously some mental health issues can be co-morbid of ASD and with how I am socially it should have been investigated when I was much younger. It wasn't until I was in my early 20's, fed up of wondering why therapy didn't seem to work for me but wanted to be "normal" I started to consider that I may be autistic. So I went after a diagnosis, which has allowed me to give up notion that one day I can be "normal" if I try hard enough, and I am okay with being different now (after getting over post diagnosis grief). So for me the diagnosis was worth potentially limiting my opportunities (even though I'm 99% sure it won't as my interests and ambitions are not effected as far as I know).
I was wondering what everyone else's experiences or opinions on the matter are?
Regrets?
Nope!
Getting a diagnosis was the best thing I've done in a long time! All my life I've felt out of place, different, broken, less than. Now I know I'm non of those things. Not broken or less than. Autistic. At long last I know that I'm not a bad or unlikeable person. The only regret I have is not knowing this very fundamental fact about myself for 62 years and now I do reflect back on my life and wonder what might I have achieved if I'd known and received a bit of help along the way.
Inula, I was sixty-seven when diagnosed so I understand you perfectly. Over the years, since the age of five, I'd seen many doctors, psychologists and on one occasion a psychiatrist, but all to very little avail.
Ben