Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi, I've been recently diagnosed with autism at the age of 20 (now 21) and I'm still really confused and overwhelmed by everything. It's hard to come to terms with the fact that I'm autistic and I often struggle to recognize myself being different to allistic people - even tho I am which makes seeing my needs or even recognizing what my needs are even more complicated and confusing
I don't know if I'm really autistic or if I just think I am - At first I felt relieved about the diagnosis because it finally made sense, but now I just doubt myself. Especially because a lot of people that I talked to about my autism diagnosis (even a therapist), told me that I should be careful and cautious of a diagnosis. And I'm just really confused? They often tell me that it's just a matter of will power. This just gives me so much anxiety, like am I just pretending? Even if I'm not autistic I still struggle don't I? Does anyone relate or is it just me?
I hope this somehow makes sense. If anyone can help me with this I'd be super thankful.
Btw sorry if there's any mistakes, english is not my first language.
Hello. I was diagnosed as autistic last year aged 41. I'm relieved about it, but also still grieiving for the life I might have had if I'd known much sooner. Doubting your diagnosis or feeling like an imposter is massively common within the autistic community.
"They often tell me that it's just a matter of will power." - Are they suggesting that autism is a matter of will power? If so, I think this is dangerous nonsense. You can't just switch your neurotype. Trying to do this would only make you blame yourself when you inevitably fail. It's best to accept and embrace your autistic brain instead of willing it to change.
I can't believe that English is not your first language - I would never have known if you hadn't said!