Waiting for diagnosis

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Hi folks, this is my first post here. I'm in my late 30s, and after reading that Scientific American article about a year ago, on "Autism - It's Different in Girls," happened to click on it and have spent the past year going back and forth about finding things to identify with in that - and eventually, obsessively, numerous other articles about undiagnosed autism/aspergers in women who grew up being told they were shy, quiet, anxious, should come out of the shell, etc. Was told, you're just anxious/depressed/over-thinking; your eye contact, mannerisms, etc, are too good.

Despite all that, I kept reading, kept thinking, if this is true, then it will explain the three main themes of my life - anxiety, being quiet/shy, and having passionate, obsessive special interests - and I'd never thought to put all of those under one umbrella before.

I finally went to a specialist this past week who listened to me, who - although he wasn't able to say anything any one way or another - took my concerns and questions seriously. So I did the diagnostic interview and several hours of tests and now I wait two weeks for the results.

I'm half scared he'll say I'm on the spectrum, or have ADHD, and half-scared he won't. If he does say that I actually do have a neurodevelopmental diagnosis, I'm sort of imagining it'll be like a paradigm shift, in the sense of a new theory emerging after the old theories no longer fit the evidence.

But first, more waiting, wondering, and yes, worrying. Wish me luck!

Hi. I am new also with this being my first post. I identify with your post. I'm a 36 year old female. I had a slow awakening when I recently came across Dr Tony Attwood talk on YouTube about asd in females. Coupled with the fact my 3 year old son was diagnosed with asd 10 months ago. Little pieces have been coming together. I have been trying to keep an open mind and not zero in on it too much by way of looking for an alternative self diagnosis. The other most relatable traits I can identify with are those of schizoid personality disorder. Last night I read in Dr Attwood book on The Complete guide to Aspergers Syndrome on page 48 there is reference to aspergers and schzoid personality being linked. I have made contact with an experienced psychologist to find out one way or another.

Welcome to both of you; I pray you find the answers your looking for, here's to it.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

I have a pretty positive attitude to autism. I think it's great you're exploring it.
It took my a long while to get from asking my doctor to refer me for assessment to actually getting a diagnosis, (3 years) so it's good to get started and give yourself time to think about things.

My son was diagnosed when he was 4 and I too found so many of the autism criteria that my son was being assessed on resonated for me. Infact I felt I was experiencing his sensitivities and it just all felt so mind mergingly weird, I knew something unusual was going on because other mothers just looked at me like I was wacko!

I'm really happy to have my official diagnosis now... I feel like I can follow my interests more, instead of forcing myself to do stuff just because of some idea of social normality! What a relief!

Same here, minus the doctor visit. I've been scouring the internet for the past year trying to make sense of things. I don't have insurance so I'll never really know for sure but I am 99.99999% sure I am on the spectrum.