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?
No i dont regret discovering that i am autistic. I now understand why i over react to some situations, i think its called emotional dysregulation. Why i push people away. Why i dont feel good enough. Why i have meltdowns. But i feel a fool for not knowing sooner. I now realise that i need medication to have any decent quality of life. It has been such a learning curve. I need to comfort myself and be kind to myself. I have a "boyfriend", we see each other once a week, all on his terms, he doesnt help with my confidence, but maybe i expect too much, but i have so many qualities, he is just not right for me x