I’m #DiagnosedAutistic and it went like this:
1. Bewilderingly, painfully, angrily, anxiously, sadly, awkwardly, passionately existing for many years
2. Am treated for anxiety, depression, insomnia, PPD, have CBT, 3 years of therapy, many medications
3. Nothing works
1/
1. Bewilderingly, painfully, angrily, anxiously, sadly, awkwardly, passionately existing for many years
2. Am treated for anxiety, depression, insomnia, PPD, have CBT, 3 years of therapy, many medications
3. Nothing works
1/
4. Eldest son received his autism dx
5. Start sensing that maaaaaybe there’s an answer
6. My ex received his autism dx
7. Curiouser and curiouser
8. Read more about autistic adults, women, and atypical presentations of autism
9. Recognise self and several family members
2/
5. Start sensing that maaaaaybe there’s an answer
6. My ex received his autism dx
7. Curiouser and curiouser
8. Read more about autistic adults, women, and atypical presentations of autism
9. Recognise self and several family members
2/
10. Become increasingly sure that this is what is going on for me
11. Join Facebook groups. Talk to so many late diagnosed autistics
12. Conclude. Self-identify. It’s me. My answer.
13. Self doubt. Concern. Require further mental health support.
14. CBT and more meds
3/
11. Join Facebook groups. Talk to so many late diagnosed autistics
12. Conclude. Self-identify. It’s me. My answer.
13. Self doubt. Concern. Require further mental health support.
14. CBT and more meds
3/
15. B U R N O U T
16. Speak to GP about autism and am referred for assessment
17. Community mental health team gatekeep access to assessment by forcing me to participate in an opaque and tortuous process of appointments with unresponsive and unhelpful staff
4/
16. Speak to GP about autism and am referred for assessment
17. Community mental health team gatekeep access to assessment by forcing me to participate in an opaque and tortuous process of appointments with unresponsive and unhelpful staff
4/
18. OCD is suggested. I clearly don’t fit the criteria though. PMDD is suggested. I clearly don’t fit the criteria though. GAD is suggested but that can’t account for everything I experience.
19. Am prescribed a horrible cocktail of medications that make me feel like shite
5/
19. Am prescribed a horrible cocktail of medications that make me feel like shite
5/
20. Through stubborn and relentless self-advocacy and with the support of my husband and close friends (who make phone calls for me) I secure an appointment with community psychiatrist who will do a general assessment of my MH and then refer my case to the commissioning group
6/
6/
21. He was awful. My ability to hold a conversation and make eye contact apparently means I can’t be autistic. I’m married and have friends so can’t be autistic. He’s happy to refer me he says, but I’m probably not autistic. He’s not even vaguely knowledgeable about autism
7/
7/
22. DOOM AND DESPAIR
23. Talk things through with husband
24. Make appointment with private psychologist with 25 years of experience working within the NHS with autistic teens and adults, particularly high-masking individuals and atypical presentations
25. Pay £££
8/
23. Talk things through with husband
24. Make appointment with private psychologist with 25 years of experience working within the NHS with autistic teens and adults, particularly high-masking individuals and atypical presentations
25. Pay £££
8/
26. Have amazing appointment and am diagnosed autistic
If you think this process is something all people can bear to go through and that getting an official diagnosis is easy, if you think anyone can just find the £££ to go private, then you’re CLUELESS.
Self dx is valid
If you think this process is something all people can bear to go through and that getting an official diagnosis is easy, if you think anyone can just find the £££ to go private, then you’re CLUELESS.
Self dx is valid
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