Mystery Solved

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Hi Everyone.

I'm not actually new here. I first came on WP back in 2011, a while after it had first occurred to me that I might be on the spectrum. It's been a journey of twists and turns, stops and starts since then, but a couple of weeks ago I finally got my diagnosis - DSM V - ASD.

I feel relieved to finally have a diagnosis, and that is the sense in which I mean 'mystery solved'. I don't think the NT world is going to stop being a mystery any time soon, but at least I am learning a new vocabulary to deal with that, and I hope I'll be able to advocate for myself better. I keep working on self-care.

I'm a woman in my 40s, and I live in the North West of England (UK). I work part-time, and volunteer with environmental and wildlife related causes. I like being out in nature, and being at home, where I read, cook (when I can get my energy together), and watch the sky from the window.

It feels good to say "I am autistic" after all this time, and I'm looking forward to joining in with discussions on here.

Hello from Lincolnshire

I had my assessment about three months back. It was as if I had been wearing my hoodie back to front for 42 years and now I'm like Ahh! this way way round, yes much easier without that bit covering my face. Did that make any sense?
Even if it didn't welcome

Welcome to the "real world"!
Finally, right?
I'm new to the diagnosis too, and it feels like I've been handed my manual.
Your hoodie-analogy makes a lot of sense to me Fluffysaurus. Although, literally as I take it, I relate that to how my life got easier by learning that I should really wear a hoodie more often.

Welcome from t'other side o'Pennines in sunny (I wish) Yorkshire, and a fellow nature lover and sky-watcher!
Glad that your diagnosis has given you some relief. Getting mine a couple of years ago has helped me to find better compromises with the non-autistic world, and has allowed me to properly immerse myself in places like this now that I don't worry that my ASD might just be a delusion. Hope you find the same.
Look forward to seeing you around.

Hello there,

I'm also in NW England. I'm glad your mystery has been solved. I only got diagnosed in the summer and I too felt a sense of relief.

Welcome back to Wrong Planet!

Thank you for the welcome everyone.

Yes, it will be good not to hide anymore, and I am in the process of working out what that means for me. I feel lucky to be having some post-diagnosis counselling.

Anxiety and depression have also been a feature of my journey, and are well-managed at present through a medication which works. I do wonder if getting to know myself again might help with that, but I'm not in a hurry to try coming off the first SSRI which has really felt like it works with me.

Yes, I'll be sticking around - am already finding so many threads relevant.