How Did You React To Being Diagnosed?

[Amee]

It was anticipated for about a year or so that I was on the spectrum as a started seeing a therapist and she suspected I was, though it took a long time for us to start the diagnosis process. I was diagnosed just a couple months ago. I feel pretty good about it, since it took so long I guess I was kinda eased into it. But yeah, it feel like things finally make sense in a way. Always felt odd, different, but could never really explain it or put a finger on it. When I discovered that all my issues that I have which I thought were all different problems are actually included in one diagnosis, it was like... finishing a puzzle.

 

[Mission Before Waking]

I didnt care. I knew how capable and strong i coud be anyway. I knew how i was

 

[gouldgrl]

The story of how I became diagnosed can be found here.

When I first found out about my diagnoses I was bit shocked as I wasn't expecting a diagnoses of any sort. At first I didn't accept the diagnoses (as explained in the link above) and I had never heard of Autism or Asperger Syndrome before. So I started doing some internet research and eventually concluded that I did in fact have it and that there was nothing to be afriad of.

How did you react to being diagnosed?

By the time I finally received a diagnosis I was relatively at peace with the condition.

 

[Amelia]

Was just glad I finally had it there in black and white xx

 

[SameStars]

During the diagnostic process I was okay with it, but once it was official I backtracked. I started questioning it all over, asking people close to me if I was really that bad socially. Now I've accepted it completely, and have a better understanding of my difficulties.

 

[clg114]

I was in my sixties when I was diagnosed. It was nice to know that there are other people like me and that there was a name for people like me. Being diagnosed did not change my life in any way, I'm pretty used to being me.

 

[Toponoetikos]

I just turned 60 and only self-diagnosed in the past couple of weeks. I am seeking a professional diagnosis although one clinical psychologist believes I do have AS. To me it is obvious but there are still some of the traits that I don't fully understand, but perhaps I am interpreting them too literally. For me it is good to find out even though I am much older because it explains a lifelong puzzle. I have always known I was different and others said so. I learned how to compensate on my own and through therapy. I also forced myself to get involved in groups that talked about psychological issues and I met regularly. For me it was important to do things I needed but was uncomfortable doing. I hate commercial airlines and airports but I forced myself to tolerate them because I had a lifelong obsession with traveling around the world. I also forced myself to learn business principles (which I hate for the most part) because it helped me earn money and be independent.

Now that I am older and have had successes and overcome obstacles, I now realize that I have limited energy and must focus on my strengths, true interests and work in the way I am comfortable - quiet, alone and independently. And wearing comfortable clothes.

The story of how I became diagnosed can be found here.

When I first found out about my diagnoses I was bit shocked as I wasn't expecting a diagnoses of any sort. At first I didn't accept the diagnoses (as explained in the link above) and I had never heard of Autism or Asperger Syndrome before. So I started doing some internet research and eventually concluded that I did in fact have it and that there was nothing to be afriad of.

How did you react to being diagnosed?

d

 

[karla]

I was diagnosed four years ago. A friend told me that she was pretty sure I had asperger´s, so I started reaserching on the internet, and most of the things seem to feat, so I went with a specialist who diagnosed me after a couple of months of seeing her. It felt very good, because I knew there was something, and it just helped me to give that thing a name. I could understand so many things better.

 

[o2tosin]

Diagnosis has been a wonderful epiphany, as it explained so much of my family experiences (both forwards and backwards) and personal characteristics. I had gone full tilt at life prior to diagnosis and accept my life for what it is. I am kinda pleased with my achievements and independence. Intellectually, physically, psychologically I am pretty happy... but socially I have gaps which may never be filled. It is very important to be flexible and reframe experiences as more information appears.

 

[Harrison]

Yep, that's how I felt

 

[grapesicles]

It was a huge relief in that I felt it explained so much about myself. However it was really strange getting the diagnosis summary letter and seeing all my 'unusual' traits written out in someone else's words from their point of view. I haven't actually shown it to anyone else since when I read it back to myself all my traits sound so strange, but I definitely don't feel 'weird' in myself.

 

[The Penguin]

I'm still waiting to see the neurologist in January to get a formal assessment. I got a non formal assessment found out I had Aspergers. I didn't spend much time learning about it until about a few years later. The reason for this is things are really bad for my life right now and I want to make more sense of me.

 

[adamindeltona]

I don't think being diagnosed really changed anything for me fundamentally. My ex is quite an educated lady, she was a teacher, then principal of an alternative high school, so she has lots of special ed training, and one day she just blurts out "ya know, I think you have aspergers"

That's how I started down that path. I hadn't heard of it before, and it started to affect me after I was diagnosed, I started reading everything I could find on it, and that really was a rough year. As I studied, about all the symptoms, and different "behavior" we have; all of those old feelings and memories of childhood came back and really depressed me. I had spent so long and I use so much energy to attempt to appear "normal" there was a lot of those little things I forgot about and every bad memory and feeling & even symptoms I "overcame" came rushing back.

It took about a year to come back from that, and to remember the advances I've made in communication and how to interact with nt's. I don't know if I could have made it then without my ex, having a shoulder to cry on and a hand to hold made all the difference in the world, I was not alone.

 

[rx7chick]

Harrison54, you and me both! In fact I still do the happy dance.

 

[rx7chick]

It was probably the most extensive sense of relief I ever experienced. A lifetime of confusion, hurt and fear was instantly sorted out and laid to rest. I don't care that I have it. In fact. I most often appreciate it. If I moved to an alien planet, would I feel ashamed of being a human among aliens? Or would I just understand, we are different, figure out what they are doing, and get along? They are not "normal" while I am abnormal...just different species. I landed on an alien planet.

 

[Amee]

Move those Ood hips! ^^

 

[Wooaspie]

I was relieved. It's hard not knowing why you don't mix like everyone else does. I am self diagnosed and when I figured out it was aspergers I felt at peace. I didn't have to try and figure out how to fit anymore or wonder why it seemed I was incapable of being like everyone else.

 

[AsheSkyler]

I haven't been formally diagnosed, but when I first did a proper research into it, I was very relieved. I had an explanation for why I was so sensitive to the cold, bright lights, chaotic noise, cleaning chemicals, and other things. It has been suggested I have a multitude of different allergies even though the key symptoms like hives or swelling wasn't there, or that I was just making an elaborate excuse to get away from some things due to laziness or whatever, and mild concern I might be going blind or something because I could tolerate bright lights less and less. But it turns out, my nerve endings are just over achievers! There's nothing dangerously wrong with me! =)

 

[DarkAscent]

Not very surprised to be honest. My mum suspected that I had Asperger's and my cousin who specialises in health and social care, and my aunt who is a primary school teacher also suspected it too.

The best thing is that I now get full time support and understanding in boarding school for my autism.

 

[Arlais]

I was numb for a few hours, then I cried my eyes out for a few more. I guess I was secretly hoping that it was just something that could be cured with some kind of therapy and then I'd have a normal life.

When I found out it was autism, I knew my life was pretty much never going to improve and became very depressed. Nowadays, I'm just like "meh".. but if someone said I could be NT tomorrow, I'd jump at the chance. I do not enjoy being autistic.