Missed Diagnosis of Autism

Misdiagnosis of “something else”

Diagnosis of autism in older adults is becoming statistically more frequent, but many of us have garnered multiple other diagnoses by the time our autism is recognized. I have read articles repeatedly that discuss how there is such a high frequency of mental health diagnoses among older autistic adults. I have read studies, I have read on multiple forums and discussion pages how individuals have been given drugs, shock treatment, years of psychotherapy or counseling, all to no avail. For many of those late diagnosed individuals uncovering their “hidden” autism was the key to better mental health and self understanding.

I was given 5 “diagnoses” by one professional neuro psychologist early on in my search for diagnosis. I learned after the testing sessions (expensive sessions over 2 days which required travel and an over night motel stay) that this person had NEVER diagnosed a single person with autism. He had to give me diagnosis of 5 other mental conditions to explain my test results and answer my questions. I already had 2 diagnoses from other professionals, anxiety and depression. I took those test results with me to the very experienced autism specialist ( who had diagnosed many adults with autism and worked with them afterward, yes I asked! ) He pointed out that my very irregular test results, with super high performance in some tests and super low results in others showed very clearly my uneven neurological development (autism)
The first professional had simply no familiarity with autism so applied symptoms he was familiar with to come up with diagnoses that explained my test results. He could not see the autism because he had no training besides his initial schooling in 1970 , when autism was not clearly understood or well defined except in extreme examples and was known as infantile schizophrenia.

This points out that many of us may find that our diagnoses are noted to be “atypical” , since we don’t fit the classic description of our diagnosis but its to the best knowledge of the professional that gave us the diagnosis “atypical bipolar” “atypical schizoid personality disorder” “atypical borderline personality disorder” etc. If you have “atypical” diagnoses, and have been through multiple failed attempts to treat the diagnosed condition, consider that instead you may be autistic. I am still anxious and sometimes depressive, but even the depression has lifted greatly now that I know I am autistic and can make adjustments to my life to help remove stress and avoid the most difficult of my autistic struggles.

Being autistic and not knowing it, I learned a lot of unhealthy coping mechanisms early in my life. I am a survivor, but I needed help (therapy) to explain how I could make choices in my life and how I could make healthier choices.

I had to have somebody teach me that I had alternatives, how to set boundaries, how to say NO and how to enforce my choices with healthier responses than those I had used in the past. It took some coaching and some practice, but life is its best ever. If you are struggling with seemingly untreatable diagnoses, if you are in constant emotional pain, if you can not find relief in your current situation, it is time to start asking yourself what needs to be changed, whether it is to seek diagnosis for autism, to seek therapy or finding a “life coach” to help you see other alternatives, I hope you find what you need.

But first you have to be able to see that there might be healing answers you never dreamed of.
Don’t be afraid to reach out and to keep trying until you find the answers. Life does not have to be continual emotional pain and misery. You deserve happiness and peace.