ADHD assessment done. Hi 👋 I’m officially AuDHD. What the flip.
No idea how I feel about this yet. May take a few days. Feel VERY sensitive about this right now so please be kind in the replies. Not sure whether to cry, be happy, relieved, or just overwhelmed… I’ll settle for a few silent expletives and going non-speaking for a while (days?).
(P.S. Self identifying is valid. I had just realised I may as well self identify regardless of the assessment outcome, but I’m someone who needed this second opinion by a qualified clinician. My self dx’s of autism and ADHD have both proved to be accurate.)
@AnAutieAtUni@actuallyadhd@actuallyautistic
Yet more to process. I would take your time, if I were you. In the meantime, enjoy knowing that your judgement was right and that you know you, 🎉 🎉 😀
@pathfinder@actuallyadhd@actuallyautistic Thank you so much! Definitely collecting all the acronyms!! 😅 Since I started my degree I’ve collected way more ‘bits of paper’ than expected (was hoping for just 1: a degree!). Not all diagnoses - a few extra accomplishments at uni - but wowzers, I just didn’t expect so much self-learning alongside academic learning. I can’t imagine my life without having stumbled across neurodiversity by accident at uni now… Truly. The future looks much more empowered with that self-knowledge, versus stumbling across “surprise” challenges that I can’t “fix” and feel like Groundhog Day.
@AnAutieAtUni@actuallyadhd@actuallyautistic
It's a big chunk of new and it's bound to take time getting your head round it. Thankfully, unlike uni, there's no time limit.
And it really does allow access to so much that is helpfully. Both in terms of understanding and the practical of how you can best help yourself.
I was diagnosed Autistic in my mid 40's.. I'm in my mid 50's now and STILL coming terms with it. The bulk of it I took.. oh maybe a year or two to fully process? The big/most obvious stuff about 2 to 3 months from diagnosis.. but as time went on I kept finding more to process.
It's nothing to worry about. It's quite cathartic but it's not an instant fix. You have a lifetimes experiences to reevaluate
Not surprised you're feeling a bit rattled and vulnerable. That's a huge thing to process, even if you weren't taken by surprise.
Be extra kind and patient with yourself over the next few days. And you probably already know this, but many people have an attack of imposter syndrome just after getting an official diagnosis ("maybe I was trying to influence the outcome?") so be ready for that. It's just part of working your way through all of this stuff, a normal reaction to a confusing situation.
@Zumbador@actuallyadhd@actuallyautistic Thank you! I really thought that - because I’m aware of the imposter syndrome thing - that I would avoid it. But it turns out your reminder was perfectly timed. I went down a spiral pretty quickly. Doing better today, but glad to be a bit more aware in case/when it resurfaces.
It really is ‘amazing’ to me how it was a shock even though I had figured it out. I guess it’s really natural when you only start to realise later in life, versus having an idea about being ND from an earlier age. Plenty of time practising writing off my challenges using cruel reasons instead. Hmmm. Thank goodness for the chance to change that mindset now.
@AnAutieAtUni
Hello and welcome. I can confirm that self-dx is totally valid. I've only self-dxed as being autistic but got the ADHD on top with my official diagnose. Been almost a week and still feels unreal. Take your time 🙂
@AnAutieAtUni@actuallyadhd@actuallyautistic welcome to the club. I eon’t@[email protected] my official yet, but it fits. after the initial periord with my new therapist i may ask about something official.