Can anyone particularly neurodiverse people relate?

[Electricblankettime]

I think with so much more info out there it's really common maybe for people to say "have you ever thought you have autistic traits/adhd? " so I don't want to read to much into people saying this to me.

I also don't know even if I had these issues and they were diagnosed what the point in that would be.

It's like there's two versions of me sometimes. One version comes out when I can't hold it together like if I'm really anxious and I know I come across weird then.

I read a bit about people with traits struggling with friends but I feel fine with this. I have friends. I do sometimes say things that I am told are socially faux pas but that bothers other people rather than me.

Is it possible to not be able to do eye contact and not be neurodiverse? It makes me feel violated.

Would there be any point in getting a diagnosis at mid forties anyways?

My adult child has dyspraxia and adhd and is a successful person. My friends joke about me being easily distracted and I know I really struggle with impulsively and focusing.

Is anyone here neurodiverse and can they relate?

You say about the two versions of yourself - it resonates a lot. It is one of the thing that is frequently mentioned about ND children, esp with ADHD: so confusing that there are moments when they can do things and sometimes they struggle. Sometimes the teachers, who do not fully understanding special needs, would say that they are not doing things on purpose. Because they obviously can, they just refuse to.
As for myself: I realised it is all about how overwhelmed/overstimulated my brain is. The range of things that I won't be able to do when I'm overwhelmed of that also depends - there is not just one rule. I have not quite figured out how to avoid or help the phase when I cannot do things.

Why do you think you'd like to pursue a diagnosis?

Thanks for the reply. I suppose I was hoping with a diagnosis I might get advice and help on how to deal with when I am the not managing version of me.

With ADHD diagnosis the medication can help you be less sensitive to the things that overwhelm you. But it is also not a magic pill, you get side effects and crushes when the meds wear off at the end of the day.

There is still a lot of self-education to be done. No specialist will be able to have a look at you and say: you can tolerate 15 minutes of social interaction and 40 mins of bright light max. I guess, a therapist can help you figure out / talk through the things that overwhelm you.

You can also start by imagining: you have a diagnosis now. Now what does it mean for your life?

I did that exercise when paediatric consultant refused to diagnose my son with ASD despite a lot of behaviours. They just did not affect his performance within the system, did not present any trouble for them and was masking a lot. But I would get an exploding child at the end of the school day...

You're similar to me, and I have an autism and ADHD diagnosis. Meds help. They slow my brain down enough to give me a bit of peace from the constant chatter and music in there. It's easier to get started on things. I can focus for longer, and the best bit is they reduce my anxiety enormously. I'm 53, diagnosed 3 and 1 year ago.