First post so pls be gentle.
39 yrs old male uk, last week i was diagnosed with asd. I suspect im higher functioning, not that it really matters to me where i am, im autistic.
My story hopefully will be familiar. I presented at the doctors with depressive symptoms after what i now believe was a burnout. I was sent on my merry way with antidepressants. They helped me function to some extent. For the next twenty years i fell into the category of a depressed person who needed antidepressants. I went through them all and they helped to mask some autistic traits. I saw many mental health proffesionals and none spotted any signs of autism. friemds who had family members or some connection with autism woukd comment about me, and it became too much to be a coincidence. I had a breakdown last year and demanded to be tested for utism instead of a new antidepressant. I have now been diagnosed.
Mixed feelings. Some relief that some of my past mistakes often came from a lack of awareness allround and there are reasons. Some sadness that there is no cure and that im somewhat limited in life compared to a nuorotypical. Also a bit of frustration and anger that its took so long to be diagnosed although there is nobody to blame.
Just looking for some validation of my experience and or support.
Thanks.
39 yrs old male uk, last week i was diagnosed with asd. I suspect im higher functioning, not that it really matters to me where i am, im autistic.
My story hopefully will be familiar. I presented at the doctors with depressive symptoms after what i now believe was a burnout. I was sent on my merry way with antidepressants. They helped me function to some extent. For the next twenty years i fell into the category of a depressed person who needed antidepressants. I went through them all and they helped to mask some autistic traits. I saw many mental health proffesionals and none spotted any signs of autism. friemds who had family members or some connection with autism woukd comment about me, and it became too much to be a coincidence. I had a breakdown last year and demanded to be tested for utism instead of a new antidepressant. I have now been diagnosed.
Mixed feelings. Some relief that some of my past mistakes often came from a lack of awareness allround and there are reasons. Some sadness that there is no cure and that im somewhat limited in life compared to a nuorotypical. Also a bit of frustration and anger that its took so long to be diagnosed although there is nobody to blame.
Just looking for some validation of my experience and or support.
Thanks.
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