Late, self-diagnosed

[Charzy22]

Hello all. Looking forward to getting to know everyone. At 51 yrs of age, I finally realized why my life has been so complicated. I have depression, ADD, OCD, and anxiety diagnoses, so I am sure those disorders have kept me from digging deeper. I never could figure out why I have never had friends (or kept any) my whole life, can't look into people's eyes when talking, hate meeting new people and going to new places-- sometimes dread being around familiar people and places as well. I do a lot of stimming that I wasn't aware I did until I started looking at my behaviors and mannerisms over the past week. I took a few online assessments, and all of them said that I likely have autism and to get further testing, so now I am just waiting to get in this coming June (it takes forever). I am glad to have found this forum. Looking forward to meeting others who understand what I am going through.

 

[330]

Hello

 

[Outdated]

You sound just like so many of us here. Welcome to the forums.

 

[Duncan74]

Welcome. I'm a relative newbie here too, and also a recent late diagnosis.

So putting the pieces together/joining the dots a bit more each day.

 

[Nitro]

 

[Thinx]

Hi and welcome, yes it's good to find out about what can be a useful overall link for understanding the big picture of who you are and why you may have some of those differences. It sort of normalizes it in a way, and hopefully can free you up a bit to stop trying solutions that work for neurotypical people, and find or elaborate on strategies that work for you.

 

[Judge]

Figured it out around the age of 55.

Yet formally diagnosed with clinical depression, social anxiety and OCD long ago back in 1982.

Welcome to the club....er uh...Autism Forums.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

Welcome.

 

[VictorR]

Welcome!

 

[GypsyMoth]

Hi @Charzy22! For me, it's been like rediscovering things I know about myself but have kept locked away, and in their rediscovery learning that I want these parts of me that no one else wants. (If that makes any sense.) They are things integral to who I am as a person and I'd like to take them back. I hope you will rediscover many good things about yourself, too. Welcome!

 

[Storm Hess]

Hello. I can completely relate. I was diagnosed this year at age 55. You aren't alone.

 

[Alexej]

Hi and Welcome to the Forums

 

[Charzy22]

Welcome. I'm a relative newbie here too, and also a recent late diagnosis.

So putting the pieces together/joining the dots a bit more each day.

Same here. Each day I see things about myself that I was so clueless about my whole life. I am so glad though, that I have an answer as to why I have always felt different than everyone else.