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Newly Diagnosed Woman

NAS88236
Hi,
I hope this is okay to post here.

I was formally diagnosed yesterday, I have to wait a few weeks for the full report, but the assessor went over the criteria and told me how I meet each one, and that both assessors were agreed in diagnosing me.
I don't know how to feel really.
I think I feel sad, and unsure. It's my 30th birthday next week, and I'm sad that I'm just finding this out after being diagnosed with various mental health conditions, and being in and out of therapy and hospital for almost a decade.
I'm unsure how to process this or where I go from here. Does anyone have any tips or advice?

Thank you.
  • in reply to Ann :)

    Also remember, you are still the same person that you were before the diagnosis. You are now simply in possession of a useful piece of information about yourself which can ultimately help you navigate in life and figure out what works best for you. You might also want to consider if you could benefit from any reasonable adjustments at work if you think this could help? 

  • Hi, I can relate. I was diagnosed less than a year ago at age 25, after many other mental health diagnosis, various counselling and even some time in hospital- I felt like I was collecting diagnoses at some point. When I first realised I might be autistic, I was very confused, I went through feeling like I finally found somewhere I belonged, then doubting everything, questioning whether I really am autistic, feeling broken etc. When I got the formal diagnosis I also struggled. It felt weird to get this letter spelling out exactly how I was different. It seemed so 'pathological' when it was all listed like that on paper. I struggled with feelings of brokenness eventhough We are not broken. I think it really helped me though to know I am autistic. I still struggle and sometimes it feels like I now struggle more with situations that I thought I was fine with, but I think I am just more aware and more tuned in to how certain things affect me. It's normal to feel confused, it takes time to process. I still haven't. I am glad though that I know. It has really helped. Give yourself time and remind yourself that being autistic is perfectly fine! And you will probably make a lot of progress with the other mental health issues. I struggled for years with eating/food, IBS, always loosing weight then painfully regaining and loosing again... For the first time in 8 years I am doing better than ever. Because I finally stopped trying to fix problems that weren't there and I understand myself so much better. It takes time and it is confusing. And I think everyone processes this differently. Take it easy and take it one step at a time :) 

  • You are not alone. Many of us who were late diagnosed were also diagnosed after years of suffering with other mental health conditions. This type of response is also very normal. Diagnosis can take a while to sink in. You have learnt a crucial fact about yourself that you were unaware of, one that probably places much of your life to this point in a new light. It can be overwhelming and prompt a lot of difficult and/or conflicting feelings. I was diagnosed over two years ago and I think I still haven't fully processed and accepted everything it entails.

    I can only suggest to sit with your thoughts and emotions. Try not to let them overwhelm you, but don't push them away either. Take your time. There's no need to rush it. Do you currently have a therapist you can talk to? That might help.

  • Hi there :) 

    I am 35 and just got my diagnosis. I also have a number of mental health issues which I've been in treatment for most of my life. 

    It definitely feels weird and different and new to know this new information about myself but I think on the whole it is good? At least we know something about ourselves now that we didn't know before. 

    It's likely that you'll feel a range of different things over the next few days/weeks. I was elated and relieved some days and then down in the dumps other days. I'm still working out how I feel now. I think it will be really helpful for us both when the actual report comes through (I've been waiting 2 weeks now, but he said it could take 3-4 to come through). It will contain a lot more detail I think than just the binary yes/no on whether we have autism or not. 

    Keep an eye here on this site, lots of interesting topics come up that you can join in with. There's also a good 'women with autism' private Facebook group that has excellent posts. 

    Hope to see you around!

  • Hi , thank you for sharing with the online community. Now that you have your formal diagnosis, you may find the following page on our website useful: 

    https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/post-diagnosis-support 

    Best wishes,

    Anna Mod