Published on 12, July, 2020
I was diagnosed as autistic yesterday (42, female), but the psychiatrist was convinced I had combined ASD/ADHD traits and he explained that that has meant a lot of individual traits are hidden by the other (eg I have an aversion to change but get bored easily). I feel like I’m constantly at war with myself. My psychiatrist said that if I took ADHD meds the ASD traits would become more evident and he’s referred me for this assessment also.
The difficulty is I have a lot of anxiety around my diagnosis because I was on the threshold of ASD – I prefer to be alone but I can be social and have learned to make eye contact now I’m older and don’t feel uncomfortable if it’s people I know well (though I can’t hold a gaze). I feel I tick so many boxes for each condition but not all of them and I am very high functioning - the psychiatrist said i am good at masking.
At the end of my assessment the psychiatrist asked if I’d like him to put ‘autistic traits’ and wait for an adhd assessment before confirming the autism diagnosis (to see it the meds revealed more traits) and I didn’t know what to say (because a lot of my issues are also processing information on the spot which made the assessment difficult). He said he was convinced I was autistic so gave me a diagnosis but now I feel really anxious it’s the wrong diagnosis.Has anyone else on here got both? I wondered how this presented for you and what you’ve found helpful. I feel like no one would believe me if I said I had either condition (I’m too much of a planner’ to be adhd but too disordered to be ASD). I can also be very chatty when nervous or speaking about my special interest but get burnout after social occasions.
Hi, not sure if you are still following replies to this - I have ADHD and autism diagnoses (at 54). I wasn't surprised by the autism diagnosis but I did not see the ADHD one coming. Because the autistic traits of being ordered, and focused were (in a very unscientific description) countering the ADHD ones.
It is worth noting that the possibility of having both diagnoses was essentially ruled out until the DSM V guidelines were changed in 2012 to 'allow' it.
There is a big hormonal impact on ADHD, less oestrogen means less dopamine, and so ADHD might not be really noticeable until menopause, or has been part of PMS (or PMDD - worth googling the links with ADHD).
You are probably familiar with the #AuDHD which is really useful on Instagram/Twitter etc and then put it in the context of women and a whole world of resources will appear! Purple Ella is quite active on Insta and could be useful.
I know that many of the people I have worked with would not believe that I have both. But it doesn't matter. You can have both - and I have come to realise the challenges and personal costs of dealing with both of them until you are 54. Good luck with what you do now.
Thanks so much. I feel much more at peace about myself a few months since diagnosis, but I’ve still only told my husband. I’ve been following a lot of people who have both ADHD&ASD and I relate so much to #audhd content so it’s made me feel less alone in it. It’s really interesting about hormonal impact as I’ve been to the drs so many times over the years about severe PMT. I’m not quite at menopause so I’m dreading that. I’ve been taking saffron tablets after some research on it being beneficial for ADHD & anxiety and it’s really been helping.