How I Got Diagnosed with Autism & ADHD | Neurodivergent Magic
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
- Recently, I let people who follow me over on Instagram (@neurodivergent_magic) know that I was professionally diagnosed with autism and ADHD- Combined Type, and people had a LOT of questions.
So in this video, I'll walk you through the full process I went through to get diagnosed.
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😊 Hi, I'm Megan Griffith, I'm a neurodivergent life coach and content creator on a mission to help neurodivergent folks embrace their strengths, cope with their struggles, and be their true, authentic selves.
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I masked so well that my therapist of 15 years doubted me when I requested ADHD testing even though she repeatedly sighed when all of my grand schemes and projects failed to come to fruition year after year. When I "came clean" and tearfully revealed how I REALLY live, how my mind is like a crowded convention center of ideas, plans, and commands, she jumped into action to secure an assessment. I am waiting for the appointment now. I am so happy to entertain the thought that I might be able to sort myself out after all of these years. I'm a 68 yr. old artist, writer, photographer, performer, maker of many things, and wannabe fashion designer, oozing talent, with nothing to show for it all. I've lost my whole life to this.
Thank you for all your videos! I am 55 and self-diagnosed autistic with ADHD Inattentive. I gave been really looking inside myself, taking online tests and stuff (all saying yes you are both), listening to videos and writing stuff down about myself and comparing that all to listed characteristics and traits. My adult son has ADHD (officially diagnosed) and I'm having an intake appointment with a counseling service that offers autism assessments in December. I really believe that I am Autistic with ADHD. But then I am like what if I'm not, what is this is just in my head and stuff.
Remember, the right assessor will help you figure out what's going on, no matter what it is. It isn't nothing, it's not just in your head.
@@TheNeurocuriosityClub thank you so much!! 💜💜
@@TheNeurocuriosityClub I was able to get ride of my I'll Herpes after the holidays herbs from #Drdodoyi contact on CZcams now
@crazigrl How did the appointment go? I've being going through something similar. I think I have Inattentive ADHD, but what if I don't. So frustrating.
@@marinaribeiro7999 everything I thought was true about myself. I was diagnosed with level 1 Autism and ADHD/Inattentive and Anxiety. The testing was broken up into two appointments, one for an hour and that was for the autism (asking questions, have me make up a story using a no word children's picture book), take a few minutes break and let me occupy myself with a small box of toys, etc. For the ADHD appointment it was mainly on the computer (doing tests with lots of talking, interruptions, and then several paper questionnaires).
I'm happy for you but I feel like I can't expose myself the same way you have. You are very brave. My son has autism, and I understand him way more than anyone else in the family, but when I bring up the idea that I might be autistic, my husband shuts me down. I honestly think that autism runs deeper in our family than just me and my son, but my husband has trouble considering this even though I think he has autism as well and that's why we have gotten along so well.
It's so validating to hear your story and your experience. I'm self-diagnosed ASD, ADHD, HSP, and other things. It makes me so nervous and anxious to think about getting an official diagnosis because I don't trust most doctors due to poor experiences (and my habit of second guessing them after I've done a mini-deep-dive on whatever I go to them for before I see them, so I have my facts in hand - which I'm sure they hate). Sounds like you got a really good one.
I'm still wanting to do it because I have a similar feeling that I don't know what the official diagnosis/word is for it but I have a gut feeling that's rarely wrong. Those things I self-diagnosed has taken me years to look into and each time I unlock another piece of my brain puzzle it's like the light peaking through the clouds and things start to make more sense. With each 'condition' it has never surprised me, mire like "Yeah. That makes sense. And that explains A LOT!" Gonna check out that list you mentioned for sure.
Also, I have to say, I greatly appreciate your usage of "subconscious" instead of "unconscious". It throws me off when people use one instead of the other because I instantly have these thoughts of the person doing things they're talking about actually unconscious, which makes me miss whatever they're saying. 😅 So, yeah, thanks for that! I was able to focus! Haha
Just found your channel and love it already. It’s very helpful and you’re doing a great job here.
I had my first appointment for the ADHD screening today, after waiting for it for 3 months (which is also very short). I also suspect me being autistic + having adhd, however, the office I go to does not test for autism so I have to find an additional one (which is not helpful with executive dysfunction but I love myself enough to somehow push through this time). Cheers to German bureaucracy 🥂
I'm so so so glad you're liking the channel! And that you're getting evaluated, despite the struggles. You got this!!!
Spot on with the bit about trusting a professional, althrough my childhood and teenage years I was (fairly) able to "cope" with the challenges thanks to parents that were very actively involved in in "management" of my life, and in hindsight perhaps even too much. After graduating from secondary school I went into college and really struggled there because contrary to secondary school you are very much required to take responsibility to have finished your work at the end of week X and I kept om procrastinating and couldn't set myself to do the things I needed to despite wanting to and on top of that my parents went more hands off with the idea that through age I now would have learned / matured enough to do the things on my own or ask for help if needed which of course I didn't.
Long story short, I ended up falling so much behind on college work and feeling (underwhelmed) about the relationship I was in as well as having to give up, due to injury, on my passion which was also my big stress relief; long distance running.
With all of the stress, guilt, anxiety and shame building up to the point of near mental breakdown I saw no other choice (in my way of thinking) but to take off from home, leaving a note saying not to worry about me and that I needed time to work things out with the help of two dear friends who ran a freight ship and that I would be back in due time.... they were worried sick of course but we maintained in contact through texting.
About 8 weeks later I was "ready" to go back home (of course anxious again about actually returning home) because also got anxious about the idea / thought that I needed to do something with my life.
Back home and after a short awkward period we sat down for a good talk and my mom agreed to come with me to see the GP about my stress / anxiety and feeling of "emptiness" / depression (which I now know was a long period of being underwhelmed by many things but also overwhelmed by others).
I have never been very good at explaining my feelings and emotions into words and at the same time tend to over-explain (as you might have noticed) out of fear of not being understood or misunderstood.
We went to see the GP, me being full of anxiety about that (fear of rejection / ridicule and shame), and tried my best to explain my feelings: stress, anxiety, unhappiness and emptiness.
GP's response: "Well that's part of being in college and growing up to being an adult, and what would you like me to do to help you?" I completely shutdown (my brain) both by his comment and his question especially as this man had known me from the day I was born and was well aware of all things I had faced up till then. As I had stress, anxiety, low self-esteem and felt ridiculed / not taken seriously, all I could come up with was saying that I just wanted to feel more happy and less stressed to which he replied: "We all would like to feel more happy and less stressed, I'll give you a prescription to take the edge off a bit and help you sleep better".
This was 16 years ago and am fortunate that I am of good physical health because I've never set another foot in a GP's office ever since due to that experience.
It's impossible to say if the man was having a bad day himself or that I just completely explained it wrong or if he was just an unpleasant character in general (he has been the family GP for over 30 years so I'd like to think he was a good GP / person) and perhaps I am in the wrong here but what I had expected and still think today is that he could have at the least been more "considerate" (refrained from the snarky comments) and could have asked a few follow up questions / have a specialist ask me more to at least see if there's something to be done or find out what was going on.
Right up to about 3 years ago I really blamed myself for everything I did (or didn't do) and just thought I was lazy, dumb and weird and have cursed at myself for my quirks and had "accepted" that this is just who I am.
Early 2019 my mum passed away from cancer where my dad had passed away three years prior and after this I again started getting more and more unhappy about life in general went about making a career change and got a job working with people with mental disabilities and behavioral issues as well as starting an education in that.
Through this education a lot of pieces of the puzzle starting to fall into place but at the same time the same difficulties with starting on school work / procrastination still were in full swing, which also didn't help was the fact I had to travel 4 hours a day (+7, 8 or 9 hrs of work) either leaving home at 6:20 am and back at 6pm or leaving at 1pm and getting back at 1am.
I "dropped out" Jan 2023 but had been offered the same job at a different employer 15 mins by bike and have started there March 1st.
By sheer coincidence and online interests due to my job I recently had a massive exposure to neurodivergent people explaining what it is like in very practical explanations and examples and it was as if they were talking about me.
Now on a quest to find out where to go, who to see and hopefully finally understand why I do the things I do and why I am the person I am but still the fear of that one experience 16 years ago also buzzes through my head.
Sorry for the insane long post.
We went through a singular experience with my daughter, except the evaluation appointment was very lengthy. I assume her being a minor is why, since they had to interview me regarding her childhood and infancy and also what I saw and my concerns. On top of also interviewing my daughter. Her evaluation also included an IQ test which was reformed by another professional, and play therapy to visually see how she plays. It was kind of funny because she’s 13! The entire process took about 4.5 hours. Then it took her psychologist 2 weeks to gather all the results from the screeners, IQ test, and interviews. I was expecting to leave with a diagnosis, so the waiting was hard. I’m glad they were so thorough. She was already diagnosed with ADHD inattention, but they also found she had a more minor hyperactive component as well along with ASD level 1. So glad you sought after a formal diagnosis, I tell everyone to just do it. It’s worth knowing the “why” and if it’s a child it really helps parents and teachers understand them better!❤️
Thank you for sharing this with us.
I’ve been waiting for a while for this YT post and have followed your journey from self diagnosis to doubt to official diagnosis.
I was diagnosed with ASD - level 1 a year ago and have learned so much about it ever since my diagnosis. I, like yourself am fascinated with psychology. I’m on Paroxetine to assist with my anxiety and seeing a clinical psychologist for therapy. Being autistic is so hard, especially the bullying during your lifetime because you’re different.
It’s overwhelming being a late diagnosed adult and the realisation of sensory issues, executive dysfunction, proprioception, rejection sensitive dysphoria, taking things literally, communication problems with neurotypical people, anxiety, depression, stimming, sensory seeking, thinking out of the box, special interests & so much more.
I hope your diagnosis has helped you move forward. Unfortunately I still haven’t found the support and understanding at a level that I would like yet. Take care and look after yourself!
Oh wow, thank you so much for this comment and for following along with my journey. I agree, it's so hard being a late-diagnosed neurodivergent adult.I hope you find the support you're looking for
I was able to get ride of my I'll Herpes after the holidays herbs from #Drdodoyi contact on CZcams now
So much of what you are saying validates how I feel and my fears. So thank you.
😂😅😊❤❤❤😂🎉 I've just been scrolling and 😂hilariously I've come across your videos like this: "hi, I'm really sorry, I thought I was autistic, but I'm not, and I'm really sure that I have to tell everyone because I don't want to impose or be a hypochondriac" ..... "hi, I thought I was autistic, then realised I wasn't autistic and wanted to let everyone know, but then I noticed that I still feel autistic and I realised that it was thos woman that had manipulated me into thinking I wasn't autistic. I definitely don't need to get diagnosed.".... "I absolutely could not let this go and did get diagnosed, and actually, I have... adhd and autism" 😂❤ this is the most adhd / autistic combined journey 😂🎉❤❤😂🎉😅🎉🎉🎉🎉😂❤😂🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤ congratulations!
Thank you so much! I happened upon your videos in my search for emotional dysregulation, this has been so helpful. You are great.
Since I know myself, I've felt like an alien. Throughout my journey, I've been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, depression and ptsd. It was only 3 years ago when I stumbled upon a 'late diagnosis of autism' that I finally - FINALLY - felt at home! This is me I screamed. I watched a ton of videos and didn't have the need to have a diagnosis .... that is until NOW. These last few weeks have been really tough, melt down after melt down, low self esteem moments, loneliness ... now I want that official diagnosis so I can say 'this is what is happening' and no longer find myself in the mindset of 'what's wrong with me?'Sadly here in Turkey, diagnosis is a huge challenge, they point blank do not want to diagnose adults because 'autism is diagnosed only in kids'. But my (stray)cats here are helping me out stay strong, so I'll stay strong for them. Thanks for this video - thanks for sharing your story.
Wow that's so reassuring, thanks for posting. Or at the start of my journey n I'm wait lists of you can even get on them are YEARS,
I wasn't asked any of these questions in my autism assessment! Edit: I too have been assessed again. Edit edit: and am audhd!
"I'm dysregulated most of the time." Me too, girl! 😂
Thank you for sharing. I am in the diagnostic process now and having my second appointment soon. I am enjoying your videos.
I am 55 years old and I suspect I might be autistic. I am naturally ambidextrous, I walked on my tippytoes until I was like 6. I was extremely clumsy as a child. I find driving so overwhelming I never got my license with the idea that I must have a driving phobia. I find working difficult, yet at the same time I had a 3.96 GPA all the way through graduate school. I am equally stupid and brilliant. I suspect my mom was on the spectrum as well. We were extremely close, and really only close with each other to the exclusion of most other people
. I suspect my son is also on the spectrum, but misdiagnosed with 3 different anxiety disorders. He finds being outside of a controlled environment extremely upsetting and anxiety provoking.
My eldest brother has classic autism presentation, including banging his head on the floor when he was a toddler. He taught himself to read before he went to school and was in a mentally gifted program. Basically, my family tree is riddled with ADHD an/or autism. Another brother was diagnosed with ADHD and was one of the first generation to receive ritalin
I don't know how much sense it makes to seek a diagnosis for myself at this point, but I think it might be good to get my son diagnosed. He is in his early 30s and has had disabling anxiety since high school.
My mom passed away 3 yrs ago, and since then I realize that she is possibly the only person that I felt completely comfortable with. I mask slightly with my son because I want him to feel secure around me and like I can handle things. But with my mom I was totally myself. Since she died I have found myself realizing that I will probably never find anyone else I can be completely "me" with. I have always been extroverted, used to have friends, but I realize I have to mask to have friendships, and I have lost the energy to do that. It is so tiring to mask that I spend a lot of time happily alone. I feel that maybe if I met other autistic people that I wouldn't be condemned to a life with no real social connection now my mom is gone.
Thank you for your videos, especially for this one. I am much older, 64, but about a year ago I began to suspect that I was on the autistic spectrum when my son, who had earlier been diagnosed with ASD and was diagnosed with ADHD, said that his doctor thought I had both and he thought it too. I could not see his doctor, because he lives in Scotland and I live in Finland, but after thinking it over and taking some online tests (AQ 50 gave me 46/50) I tried to get an assessment in the public healthcare. After 3 months’ waiting I got a GP (who knew nothing about autism) to interview me and then she consulted by herself a psychistrist who was very dismissive. He said that it is no use to have a diagnosis in my age, and anyway, I probably don’t have it but only social anxiety and panic disorder. I knew they were wrong, so after thinking it over again I am now going to be assessed by experts in a private clinic. It is expensive, but I want to be treated like a human being. That psychiatrist did not know that decades of masking leaves deep scars in the mind and they had to addressed to, in addition to the autism that does not go anywhere or heal miraculously when you grow old.
Congratulations on your diagnoses! I have my results appointment on Thursday and I’m so nervous…hopefully it goes well!👍
I hope it goes well too! Rooting for you!
@@TheNeurocuriosityClub Thank you!!
I was able to get ride of my I'll Herpes after the holidays herbs from #Drdodoyi contact on CZcams now
Wonderful video, thx alot ❤
Awesome video!! ❤
Im getting adhd tested tmrw and was nervous and scared for how it was gonna be but this will hopefully clear it up!
I honestly think that psychology is an obsession for so many of us because we are autistic and we're missing information about people.
You are so helpful
Thank you
I recently stopped masking so hard and it feels good. BUT! I am privileged in my ability to do that because I work at a place where EVERYONE is neurodivergent! (Yay, Diversity and inclusion!)
It's so funny that you look so much like my friend, who is also neurodivergent!
Can you share what assessments they used? I was assessed and diagnosed with Autism and ADHD recently and they used the MIGDAS for Autism which I had never heard of and threw me for a loop.
Oh my gosh… a captive audience specifically asking me to unmask and infodump about my special interests?? I WANT THAT _pfft I’m so friggin autistic XD_
It sounds fantastic doesn't it?!
I’m kind of scared to ask to get an assessment since some people in my life consider me as a person who likes to self diagnose.. I was with my psychologist over a call and she said ‘’You don’t seem like you have adhd.. is it possible that I can have autism and not adhd?? I honestly at this point don’t know what to do.
Hello 😀 I have been wanting to get tested myself for autism, but I have heard it’s pretty expensive. How much did it cost from start to finish for you? ( If you don’t mind me asking). Thank you! 😃
I was able to get ride of my I'll Herpes after the holidays herbs from #Drdodoyi contact on CZcams now
It sounds like your assessor was amazing. I want to get assessed but I’m nervous because there’s only one in my area and they’re a male. As a female I’d much rather work with another female. I guess there is only one way to find out what the experience will be like.
Is this in the USA or Canada ?? I'm self diagnosed with autism and I have been officially diagnosed with adhd first
I’m 47 and on the wait list for an autism assessment on the NHS in the UK. Pretty certain I have both ASD and ADHD. The wait is doing my head in now, I just want to know now.
I know how you feel xx fellow Brit
@@lilme7052 Hang in there, your turn will come soon enough. I was right. Diagnosed ADHD November 28th and autistic December 19th.
Is it possible to get a diagnosis but have another one and have different results?
I wish the neuroclastic website had reviews and info for these doctors they recommend, like M25 says doctor ABC was great or F42 says XYZ. The only two in my area are older men, who do not mention autism just aspergers, and all the reviews are parents saying how they helped their kids... I'm kinda sad...
This song has a completely different meaning for me now….😳🤯
The Real Me- the Who
I went back to the doctor
To get another shrink
I sit and tell him about my weekend
But he never betrays what he thinks
Can you see the real me,
doctor, doctor?
Can you see the real me, doctor?
Oh, doctor
I went back to my mother
I said, "I'm crazy, ma, help me."
She said, "I know how it feels, son
'Cause it runs in the family"
Can you see the real me,
mother mother?
Can you see the real me, mother?
Oh, Mother!
Can you see
Can you see the real me?
Can you see
Can you see the real me?
The real me, the real me
The cracks between the paving stones
Like rivers of flowing veins
Strange people who know me
Peep from behind every window pane
The girl I used to love
Lives in this yellow house
Yesterday she passed me by
She doesn't want to know me now Wo!
Can you see the real me,
can ya, can ya?
Can you see the real me, can ya?
I ended up with the preacher
Full of lies and hate
I seemed to scare him a little
So he showed me to the golden gate
Can you see the real me,
preacher, preacher?
Can you see the real me, preacher?
Can you see,
can you see,
can you see, oh
Can you see the real me doctor
Can you see the real me
MOTHER!?
Can you see the real
me me me me me
Why am I not this talented?, This is so amazing.
Daddy (God the Father) informed me I am Autistic.
Couple years later a bat 🦇 professionally diagnosed me as Autistic.
How old were you when you got both diagnoses?
28!
I was able to get ride of my I'll Herpes after the holidays herbs from #Drdodoyi contact on CZcams now