Newbie - overwhelmed in the UK :)

Post Reply New Topic

Hello Wrong Planet, I come in peace.

It dawned on my a few years ago that there was an actual name for my self assessment of being "not wired up the same as most people", something I voiced frequently from the age of about 4. After a couple of friends whose kids had had been through the AS diagnosis system assumed I knew that I was autistic, I researched out of curiosity and had a eureka moment. My constant outsider-looking-in feeling, ongoing sleep problems, years of going to GP's about feeling overwhelmed/out of place/exhausted etc etc was explained, bonzer high score on the AQ thingy, and my appointment for official diagnosis is on Monday. I'm part looking forward to it, part fearful that they'll tell me that I'm just a bit cr*p at being a human . I'm a single mum and work part time, so life is quite full on and I do struggle to keep plates spinning and maintain enough of my marbles to be able to function. I am too damn good at masking - I'm hoping having an official diagnosis will help me to progress, process, and thrive. All positive thoughts and encouragement gratefully accepted.

Welcome WiredWeird!

Wish you good luck on Monday, which is very soon. Not surprised you are a bit scared, I would be as well myself. Those appointments are important and pretty scary.

You seem to have a tough life and do hope things will go as you want and you will get your diagnosis. It is the start of a long process, it has plus and downsides.

Am very happy for you that you will soon finally have answers. Wish you the best of luck in this journey of discovery.

You can do it!

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Thank you - I really appreciate the replies. Yeah, I guess the worst I can do is freak out and give them more material for assessment, hehe! Thank goodness I have my ridiculous sense of humour to arm me against this confusing world.

How did it go?

Thank you so much for asking! I did mean to come back and post an update, but thought it may be a little self indulgent. Really, really positive experience. I realised that when I got there wearing odd socks and took my shoes off to be comfortable that the psychologist probably wouldn't say I was "normal", whatever that is! She has to write a report to make it all official, so I'm going back in 3 weeks, she gave me a 95% certainty that I'll have a clinical diagnosis of autism waiting for me. Also, possible support going forward, being able to ask work to make some allowances, offers of counselling about the disassociative aspect of my coping strategies. It could not have gone any better. I hope you had a wonderful day, and happy summer solstice (if you're in this hemisphere, I forgot to check!)

That is good to hear! I'm very happy for you it went so well.

Thank you for the kind words.

Wish you a wonderful day.