Anyone had a diagnosis of Autism or other ND conditions as an adult and just feel so much relief that life makes sense?

[Rainbow03]

I’m 40 and my have a I struggled through life. I obtained degrees and masters degree but unable to put them to use. Instead choosing jobs that were simple but even those were difficult as I never really understood how to behave. Friends I’ve struggled with and don’t really have close ones. I feel awkward, always have done, never know what to say and just rubbish at it. I’ve suffered anxiety forever, no techniques have ever worked as I never knew what I was afraid of.

I ended up in an abusive relationship thinking it was normal. This obviously made me worse and caused trauma. Then I finally discovered I am ND.

My oh my, does it explain it all. I feel like I understand myself and all the pressure of what is wrong with me as I should be able to do things and make friends as thats just normal kind of lifted. Since finding out my anxiety has just gone away almost 90%.

Yup me! Adhd combined and Autism. Relief and some sadness had i of known this sooner my life might have been less of a battle. I was diagnosed at 38 x

Yes me. Diagnosed adhd with autistic traits at the ade of 41.

Totally - same as PP really - relief that it all makes sense but there’s a bit of grieving process to go through as it dawns on you how different things might have been. Diagnosed with adhd at 40..

Did you get tested via NHS? Or privately??

Got diagnosed at 46 with adhd and asd. Making a lot of sesne to me now.

After building up the courage I finally attended a Drs appt this week to ask for a referral to be diagnosed. I’m 33.

Adhd diagnosis here at 37 for me. Suddenly things made so much sense.

relief but also sadness - my first thought was that while I can take meds to improve some symptoms of adhd (i decided against it) it sort of made me sad there is no way to fix this. There is no cure and it took some time for me to get over it

Hopefully you'll be diagnosed by 40 then.

Recently referred, knowing I likely have ADHD has helped me understand myself but I'm still finding navigating life difficult.

Of course! That's quite often what autistics or any nds say. As I learned more and more about autism, I began to state frequently 'Everything I am is autism!' And I'm a lot kinder to myself. I've dragged myself through life carrying several major and invisible disabilities. And here I am. Still here.

eta: It's still bloody hard, though!

and again: I was over 60 when diagnosed.

I think perhaps it’s still new for me. It is still hard though but I can be a little kinder on myself because it’s who I am. I have learned some not too good behaviours over the years tho, control is one of them.

I’m on the waiting list to be assessed for ADHD and Autism combined - I felt more strongly about the ADHD part, but my doctor suggested putting me forward for both after I mentioned that all my children have Autism (and, I scored highly on the quotient questionnaire). I’m 36.

Much like you, I have always felt awkward, struggled with friendships, my anxiety levels are through the roof.

I have often wondered why I can’t seem to function like a ‘normal’ person, and thought that there was something wrong with me. Finding out that I am likely neurodivergent has been eye-opening.