• Replies 9 replies
  • Subscribers 33 subscribers
  • Views 414 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Diagnosis confusion

Take5

Just wanted to ask if anyone is willing to share their experiences post diagnosis of autism? 
It’s been 5 days since it was confirmed for me and 8 days since my assessment. I’m now obsessed with gathering information about people post diagnosis experiencing doubt and trying to play down your own challenges? I was told the outcome on Thursday because of the terrible state I was in and that there was no doubt as they put it, why am I beating myself up like this. Although I am relieved to hear I’m neurodivergent my mind is all over the place and I’m unable to make sense of it all. I’m creating stories in my head about people’s reactions and overthinking what they will think of me. I wish I didn’t care but I obviously do. I’m actually getting on my own nerves now with these ongoing repetitive thoughts.

My wife doesn’t even know yet as I have gone through this process alone. Although I’m told I can be a little strange and not very sociable (among many other things) she flatly refused to talk about it a few years ago. She invalidates me constantly and for that reason I have not shared that I was even having an assessment. 

I feel really stuck and I’m unsure where I go from here, I understand it is very early days and this may take quite some time but it’s tough atm.

Thank you for listening 

Take5

Parents

  • Educate yourself on all things Autism. Listen to podcasts, read blogs, books, websites by and for Autistic people. There is a lot of good information out there that can help you feel like you're joining a community, rather than being singled out as a weirdo. (Are we allowed to use that word?) I've found this approach to be very helpful for me.

    There is a lot of good information here on NAS. Another site I particularly like is Reframing Autism, it is very clear, very positive and they even have a "Welcome Pack" (a big PDF) to help you get settled in to your diagnosis. The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism is good site, too, but maybe not the place to start.

    Regarding "people's reactions": you are under no obligation to tell anyone anything. There is no hurry. You've been Autistic all your life, so if you've waited this long, what's a few more weeks or months?

    Go easy on yourself. Take your time.

  • in reply to Damojo

    The term weirdo is perfectly acceptable for me. Me and my friend call it each other all the time! He is bipolar and ADHD as well. 

    Thank you for the advice 

  • in reply to Take5

    I once had a friend tell me, after I suggested yet another wild and wacky idea, "You're the weirdest f---er I ever met!" I took it as a compliment.

    Being normal must be SOOOO BORING!

Reply Children
  • in reply to Damojo

    Yes I get that damo 

    My friend is adhd and bipolar so he’s pretty wired most the time. Those little comments and conversations we have firing things at each other feels supportive and makes me feel heard, he likes the real me and that’s an amazing thing. He has been hugely rejected by the neurotypical population and he is mostly surrounded by his own tribe, as he said to me your trusted people get smaller in numbers and and the ones that don’t understand you get proportionally bigger in numbers. 

    The comment your friend mentioned is a validation in itself, obviously if it’s communicated by the wrong person it has a whole new meaning. 

    I like my world too, my interests and things I enjoy look very mundane to typical people and I do get teased about them sometimes but they are my sanctuary where I can escape and lose all that chaos that’s buzzing around in my head for many hours. 

    Thanks for your reply