The adult neurodivergence realisation/diagnosis thread

[james]

Right, so who else has ended up diagnosed or self-identifying as autistic, having ADHD, or a heady mixture of both?

I got my ADHD dx in my mid-30s. Did meds for a good while but they eventually made me a: anxious and b: an arsehole. YMMV. I know I've got bags of autistic traits too but I've coped thus far so I don't see the need to clog up that waiting list when there are plenty of people who really need support.

[Beaker]

Oh so much fun.

Diagnosed in 2021/22. Took literally 3 years to get it sorted out because lockdown shafted things up and the local service, which incidentally was run by an Autie doctor.

At least I know the root of my weirdness now, and I refer to is as 'My Weird'.

While it's helpful to know, there is fuck all support for Autie adults and some shitgoblins will treat you like a child and wonder why you're not a nice obedient little autie like thier friend's son.

[Sugarmouse]

I am under assessment for ADHD. Not sure how I feel about it. My friend noted I have similar traits to her and how much the medication helped her with her energy levels, avoiding burnout and better concentration, so that inspired me to look into it.

I don't know. The meds can apparently really lower your appetite and I have a history of eating disorders.

[Beaker]

I am under assessment for ADHD. Not sure how I feel about it. My friend noted I have similar traits to her and how much the medication helped her with her energy levels, avoiding burnout and better concentration, so that inspired me to look into it.

I don't know. The meds can apparently really lower your appetite and I have a history of eating disorders.

Assessor will be like...

[Sugarmouse]

Probably! I think my Mother has it, but hers has worked for her well, in her profession and interests.

Mine not so much!

[sephi]

I’m probably autistic - if you remember me then you remember my awkwardness. Took a very long time to acknowledge it.

Probably a bit of ADHD too.

Should probably get tested but…

[Sugarmouse]

You never appeared awkward to me, I always assumed it was quiet confidence, ability to be yourself and not feel the need to be loud or make your presence known. However that is probably me, assuming everyone knows what they're doing more than I do!

[doktorb]

1990-91 I was diagnosed as hyperactive, as it was then called, followed by 30-odd years of nothing. Almost no therapy, medication, or help in general , so hello to various personality disorders, behavioural wobbles, and communicating better over typing than speaking . It's funny seeing things as a 45 year old because so much of the past makes sense only because we have the language now that we didn't back then.

It's funny to think, in this stage of my life, who was helpful in showing me a good safe track through the map, and who span me around twenty times, broke my compass, and sent me the wrong way.

[TarnishedGlitter]

I was officially diagnosed with adhd this week and my autism appointment is soon. I've known for a long time but going to uni prompted me to actually get tested.

I think Prestone will probably have quite a lot of us, given the types of people who used the Internet regularly back in the day, crossed with alternative subculture as well.

[piercedmilo]

Diagnosed as 'high functional' Dyslexic (whatever the fuck that is supposed to mean) and Dyspraxic in 1543, aged 10.

Youngest offspring is ADHD/ASD and I'm realising I share many traits, but not a huge surprise since there's something of a venn diagram with those and Dyslexia.

Also fairly certain I have a hefty dose of cPTSD due to, y'know, reasons. This probably muddies the water somewhat on whether or not I got the 'tism.

I can recommend therapy though, it's both distressing and comforting to realise what you normalised in your head isn't normal. Also, I'm a lot less angry these days.

[Sugarmouse]

I supported my ex through her 'tism' assessment recently.

They do note that a lot of the symptoms overlap with trauma so they ask a lot about early childhood.
Of course if the trauma began very early it is still a minefield to diagnose or not.
With my ex's diagnosis she had no idea of early childhood as was very much 'dragged up', had no idea about milestones or events etc.

She was diagnosed though, without much question it seems.

[Gumiho]

I keep meaning to speak to my doctor about it, but keep forgetting / putting it off

I'm pretty sure I'm combined ADHD. It tends to go hand in hand with Fibromyalgia.

My mum was diagnosed as austic recently and that took her 4 years.

[Beaker]

I keep meaning to speak to my doctor about it, but keep forgetting / putting it off

Kait had the same problem.

For funnies she also got an in person assessment appointment. That appointment was converted to a video call they sent her a text and email about. However I still found myself sat in a carpark in Cheshire while she did her video call...

VERY on-brand.