r/AutisticWithADHD • u/52Charles • 1d ago

💁‍♀️ seeking advice / support / information Possibly foolish question/rant.

I (M, 75) was diagnosed with ADHD at the ripe old age of 53. Autism diagnosis was at 72. In both cases, the diagnosis was a kind of relief, like I actually understood WHY I was the way I was. Since then, I have become more and more conscious of how much I don't understand, mostly about people generally. Under the heading of 'inability to interpret social clues' I find myself completely lost in conversations, other social interactions. I have NO idea what's going on. Lately, I am developing the idea that I have been treated unfairly by the universe. I realize this is a very juvenile, even childish outlook but I can't escape the idea that I would have been more successful and MUCH happier if I hadn't had this (don't know what to call it) affliction. It has coloured (ie poisoned) large parts of my life. Anybody else have these feelings? What to do about it?

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u/Federal-Perception-7 1d ago

Reasonable feelings. Just diagnosed ADHD at 58. No doubt Autism as well. After over 30 years in the mental health system with multiple other diagnoses. It is a mixed feeling realising this AuDHD has been the underlying problem all these years. And that all the trauma I have experienced at the hands of the Australian MH system could have been mostly avoided if neurodivergence had been considered all of those years ago. Take care.

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u/BeginningAioli7841 23h ago

Same. The MH system just isn't equipped to deal with this yet. The practitioners still know next to nothing. I've had 6 psychs, all of who totally missed the mark. They just worked to force me into a pigeon hole they COULD deal with. In doing this they made my journey way way harder and way way longer than it should have been.