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Original poster

To be more awkward about my autism diagnosis than my ADHD?

29 replies

Greenpolkadots · 20/03/2025 14:24

I was diagnosed by a clinical psychologist after being on the waiting list for years.
I knew I had ADHD, I did suspect Autism too so I didn’t think either would have come as a shock.
However I feel weirdly blindsided by the autism one. More awkward and embarrassed about it.
I’ve told people I have a diagnosis of ADHD, but I just don’t feel comfortable telling anyone about the autism one. I don’t know why exactly. I guess because autism is seen in a slightly different way to ADHD. More severe maybe - not my perception necessarily, but society.

OP posts:
Mightymoog · 20/03/2025 16:50

Why are you telling people?
I wouldn't be embarassed as it appears 90% of the population are now autistic/ adhd

Pinkandcake · 20/03/2025 16:45

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 20/03/2025 16:34

There's a huge stigma against autism and there isn't with adhd

Yanbu. I can understand.

I went through a similar journey. Now I'm able to say aloud that I am autistic. My dd is also autistic, shes the one who's given me strength and is the reason I got my diagnosis

Being autistic is okay, op.

Tell those who you can trust not to manipulate and bully you and then blame your autism for you 'misunderstanding' and you will be on the path to feeling comfortable being open about it.

If you don't have people that you can fully trust around you - don't say a thing 🥺

Once I'm away from those who would gladly see me come to harm, I plan to be open about my diagnosis. Need to get away from my area first.

Congratulations on getting your diagnosis - it makes a difference and really helps you process things ❤️

I think there’s stigma around ADHD. I would say people are more sympathetic about autism than ADHD. Many people wrongly assume children with ADHD are naughty and it’s down to ‘poor parenting’ and an excuse. It seems they are judged harshly.

I think with autism, people are very sympathetic when it’s severe and someone can barely communicate. Not so much when middle aged women who have their own kids, run a house and hold down a job etc… they are less sympathetic. I think they wrongly assume that they are entitled to some form of financial help, which is obviously nonsense. Most people want to understand themselves better and a diagnosis helps that.

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 20/03/2025 16:34

There's a huge stigma against autism and there isn't with adhd

Yanbu. I can understand.

I went through a similar journey. Now I'm able to say aloud that I am autistic. My dd is also autistic, shes the one who's given me strength and is the reason I got my diagnosis

Being autistic is okay, op.

Tell those who you can trust not to manipulate and bully you and then blame your autism for you 'misunderstanding' and you will be on the path to feeling comfortable being open about it.

If you don't have people that you can fully trust around you - don't say a thing 🥺

Once I'm away from those who would gladly see me come to harm, I plan to be open about my diagnosis. Need to get away from my area first.

Congratulations on getting your diagnosis - it makes a difference and really helps you process things ❤️

JoyousOpalTurtle · 20/03/2025 14:31

It's your private, personal medical information. You don't have to share it with anyone. It's perfectly normal to feel awkward about the idea of sharing such information with others.