My Autism Diagnosis Story - Mental Health Journey

Like you said, the having the right manual helps. I'm getting tested soon, but I've adopted the new way of thinking entirely already. I've figured out that CBT alone isn't enough since things like naming x number of things... does nothing for me but annoy me and make my senses even more heightened. It feels like the more I am aware of my body, the more tenser I get.

I love your shirt!!! I am in the process of being diagnosed and I resonate with so much of what you have said.

So I saw you on tiktok and everything you said made sense to me so I looked some stuff up and took all those test I don’t know why this is so hard for me to take in I’m crying every time I read what my score means but I want to thank you because this might explain me I don’t know

Your story is similar to mine in a lot of ways! I was diagnosed with ADHD at 27 and ASD at 28 after a lifetime of being treated for anxiety and OCD. Had terrible side effects from all the psych meds I tried, also had the “maybe it’s PTSD” experience (I would love to try EMDR therapy btw). The irony is that my mom tried to get me assessed for autism as a toddler, but my pediatrician convinced her she was just being paranoid. Looking back, I had very obvious, textbook signs of autism. I also used to tell everyone I just “felt bad in my brain” over and over but could never elaborate. I strongly feel that my inability to put my thoughts and emotions into words is a huge part of why it took me so long to get diagnosed. It was a huge relief to get diagnosed, but I still struggle to accept it sometimes. It really helps to hear others, especially other late-diagnosed women, tell their stories though! Thanks for sharing

Anxiety issues, OCD are separate things from autism. They often travel along with it, but they are separate things entirely. So are panic attacks. Almost 53 as I write this as an AuDHD adult, late-diagnosed. I’ve never had any anxiety disorders or OCD.

I hear ya on the Neuro work. At a young age, I am taking on a fight with On-set PD and it is hard to hide at a young age when everyone of my friends can see it within my body taking over. Constantly in a fight physically to get on top anywhere I can either at KU Med or St. Luke's to get the diagnosis I need and that the KCMO-VA refuses to give. It is an ugly fight for sure.

I was recently diagnosed with autism level 1 too..im 31..I black out after shots or certain medical things...also I'm sure your dad stared at that shirt so long with those glasses lol

I have ADHD and anxiety. I always thought my social awkwardness was due to these, buuut maybe it is something more.