Wondering if my social anxiety is actually autism

[ilovemincepies24]

Hope this is ok to post here.

I am in my early 30s and have felt anxious socially for as long as I can remember. I've always felt there is something possibly wrong with me and that people must view me as a total weirdo for being quiet or shy. Being able to work from home over the last few years has been a godsend but I now have to go to the office more and I feel that although I can mask my awkwardness when at home it's much harder when face to face in an office all day.

I have had therapy and been on medication for anxiety and although I can manage the physical symptoms of anxiety better I still feel like a total freak socially and not sure how to remedy that.

My school reports and past work evaluations have always said I need to 'speak up' more but I'm much more comfortable getting on with work quietly.

I know it's almost impossible to get a diagnosis as an adult but I wish I had an answer for being the way I am.

Hi OP, I was exactly like you then ended up getting getting diagnosed whilst in uni (went private).

I had counselling and medication for social anxiety on NHS but autism was never suspected. Although I often felt awkward and paranoid inside, I spent a lot of effort masking. Also, all my school and work reports similarly have commented on my shyness.

Would you be able to go private?

I was the same, only I was always baffled, why did I have all these signs of panic attacks and social anxiety when my self esteem is good (not a brag, just an important part if my own journey)? It was the pandemic that clarified things, and I then went for the assessment as a result. It's been a life changer.

My 32 year old daughter just been diagnosed ASD..it does run in the family.. only took 3 months . She even got a certificate to give to future employers etc.

It may not be as hard as you think to get diagnosed as an adult. I went to my GP and said I thought I might have autism. They sent me some questionnaires to fill in and I was referred. The whole process was less than 12 weeks but it was about 8 years ago.

If you can afford to go private these guys are supposed to be very good and follow NICE guidelines. They're also very reasonably priced for what they offer. UK and Ireland Online Autism Assessments for Adults & Young Adults: Autistic Support

The ASD assessment process is pretty detailed and having gone through it with our daughter this year we found it’s not that easy to get a diagnosis. I don’t know if this is helpful OP but this from the final report we received (DD didn’t meet enough of the criteria to get a diagnosis):

When diagnosing an Autism Spectrum Disorder, there are clear criteria (outlined by the DSM) that must be met for a diagnosis to be given. The criteria are as follows:

A. Persistent deficits in social interaction and communication across multiple contexts.
B. Evidence of rigid, restrictive and repetitive interests and behaviours.
C. Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (though may not fully
manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities).
D. Symptoms cause clinically significant impairments in social, occupational, or other
important areas of functioning.
E. The difficulties are not better explained by an intellectual disability.

Cluster A: Social Communication and
Interaction Deficits

Evidence must be present for all 3 areas:

1. Evidence of deficits in social-emotional

reciprocity:

• Absence of typical back-and-forth

conversation

• Reduced sharing of interests (unless

directly prompted)

• Absence of intent to initiate or

respond to social interactions.

2.Evidence of deficits in non-verbal
communicative behaviours used for social interaction
—Deficits in non verbal communicative behaviours used for social interaction e.g. descriptive or
instrumental gestures

• Restricted integration of verbal and

non-verbal communication

• Absence of understanding into the use of gestures

3.Evidence of deficits in developing,
maintaining and understanding
relationships:

• Difficulties in adjusting behaviours

to suit various social contexts

• Difficulties in sharing imaginative play

Cluster B: Restrictive and Repetitive
Patterns of Behaviour, Interests or Acitivies

Evidence must be present for at least 2 of
the following:

1. Stereotyped or repetitive motor

movements, use of objects or speech

1. Insistence on sameness, inflexible

adherence to routines, or ritualised
patterns of behaviour

1. Highly restricted, fixated interests that

are abnormal in intensity or focus

1. Hyper or hypo-reactivity to sensory

input or unusual interests in sensory
aspects of the environment e.g.
indifference to pain/temperature, adverse
response to sounds or textures, visual
fascination with lights or movement

A certificate? From the NHS?