Hello
not really sure how to start this but currently going threw referral process for autism and adhd. (At the very beginning). I am 44.
i have struggled with mental health since my pre teens, with some good periods and many not so good. [redacted by MNHQ]
anxiety & overthinking is always there but currently managing it (seeing some specialists and it’s going well.)
many in my life (friends/family/prifessionals) have brought up autism/adhd with me for years and I always shot it down and got defensive because I had been bullied at school for being different and was labelled ‘weird, odd, etc etc). So even when some good friends said things with good intentions I would not listen and took it the wrong way (I realise now how good it feels to have friends who saw my differences yet always accepted me just the same)
anyway i had a mental health breakdown last year, partly a burnout as it got so exhausting hiding so much of myself feeling ashamed or behaving on what I should or shouldn’t do. Caring too much what others think.
the GP suggested I look into underlying diagnosis in the spectrum, and for the first time i I felt relief hearing that and it made sense. I was ready to listen which is good. So this is what we have been exploring since late last year.
well, what I do feel frustrated about is soem
people telling me why bother, it’s just a label, or everyone looking for a label these days etc.
i think I am ready to listen now because I have a little one who I owe to be the best version of myself I can be, and if I have autism/adhd which is affecting my mental health then I think it is good to know so I can better understand myself?
soemtimes I don’t even know what I like anymore and I let others tell me what I should do.
but it has been feeling so helpful and good exploring this path, I feel so much lighter and my eating is better too.
In guess my aibu is is it ok to feel annoyed be people questioning so much why I am seeking diagnosis and according to them jumping on a so called trend. ? How should I respond?
(btw I don’t think that, it’s other people)
also why do people keep thinking that when we know we know more these days?
I have been feeling good being more open and honest with people but when the conversations turn to diagnosis trends’ it makes me want to hide myself again and I don’t really know how to navigate this part.
Should I stop talking about it?
I try to tell people that actually it wasn’t as understood years ago and about masking etc.
I know i am being unreasonable thinking to much what others think when it should only matter my friends and family who all agree with what I am doing.
thank you for reading