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Scared of going for a diagnosis

Alice

Hi All,

I'm new to community and looking for general support and advise...

I have been slowly coming to realisation that I'm likely Autistic and it has taken a lot of time piecing things together to come to this point.

The issue I'm now having is going for a diagnosis scares me silly. I worry about not being authentic and it all being in my head. Being a woman and learning to mask to survive to a level that I'm not even aware of scares me that I might not get the diagnosis. Having no-one from my childhood years that can provide information, very little of my own memory as a child and evidence as a child also means I worry I can't get diagnosis.  

These doubts stop my going ahead as it become too overwhelming for me, but I also need help to then start the unmasking process and get help getting to know people. I feel quite lonely at the moment and don't really have friends or family I can open up to.

Bit of a ramble above, but looking to see have others had this same experience of emotions and feeling of the process? Some confirmation from others of similar experiences to my own could really help alleviate the anxiety.

Also, any advise on your experience as a woman going through process would be gladly received.

Thank, Alice

Parents

  • Hi Alice, ask yourself why do I need a formal diagnosis, for what reason.  Mine was simple, I was homeless and needed it to help support a housing application, its also helped with employment and I've found it has helped me understand the highs and lows of my past.  Like many on the ASD we can overthink and make it harder to deal with everything and anything.  Maybe just tell yourself 3 reasons why you want it and 3 reasons how its going to help. 

    PS I had no childhood or parental input either, just 3 interviews via an online video conference with a psychologist.  yes I did get agitated, I did ramble, I did get confused, and I found it frightening, but like a marriage certificate its just a piece of paper, what it means to you is more important with or without it - self diagnosis is not any worse or better. 

    I wish you all the best on the journey that is self discovery what ever that may entail. 

Reply

  • Hi Alice, ask yourself why do I need a formal diagnosis, for what reason.  Mine was simple, I was homeless and needed it to help support a housing application, its also helped with employment and I've found it has helped me understand the highs and lows of my past.  Like many on the ASD we can overthink and make it harder to deal with everything and anything.  Maybe just tell yourself 3 reasons why you want it and 3 reasons how its going to help. 

    PS I had no childhood or parental input either, just 3 interviews via an online video conference with a psychologist.  yes I did get agitated, I did ramble, I did get confused, and I found it frightening, but like a marriage certificate its just a piece of paper, what it means to you is more important with or without it - self diagnosis is not any worse or better. 

    I wish you all the best on the journey that is self discovery what ever that may entail. 

Children
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