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Should i try to get diagnosed?

Emerald

Emerald

New Member
Hi,

This is my first post. I am in my 60's and have just requested an Autism and Adhd assessment from my gp.
I feel i would like the validation of an explanation for my lifelong difficulties.
But, I am also concerned that being diagnosed might be used against me , especially as i get older, and that people might make decisions on my behalf with regard to care or health or housing as I age, on the grounds that i am autistic.

I would like to know if anyone else has any experience regarding this.

Cheers!
 
Hi Emerald 👋

welcome to the forum.

what country are you in as that might make a difference to your rights.

In the UK capacity os defined as having the ability to understand and weigh up information and communicate your decision. I can't see how they could argue you have capacity given you're 60 and have got this far in one piece 😉

it might also help to have the diagnosis given you don't know the future and in a few decades you could require elderly care which may be more challenging for them deliver appropriately if the neurodiversity is unknown.

(i'm 46 a very complicated recently diagnosed but now medical professionals have established the neurodiversity element it's made a big difference to how they treat me!)

late diagnosis is a rollercoastser hang around because i've found this community invaluable in unravelling my confusion!
 
Emerald said:
I would like to know if anyone else has any experience regarding this.
Click to expand...
Whether or not to get a diagnosis really depends on what you're going to get back out of it, and that largely depends on what country you live in.

I didn't start finding out about autism until I was in my early 50s, and that was a revelation and a half! Finding out about autistic burnout explained to me how I ended up running away from society and living a semi feral lifestyle in a remote region near Darwin.

Getting a formal diagnosis - ASD2 - plus my previous history of struggles got me on the disability pension. Fully retired at age 55.
 
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