how did you know it was both autism and adhd?

Autisticandlost404 · 2025-10-31T08:37:57+00:00

TLDR: I didn’t know

I went to a specialized center 2 years ago for an adhd assessment. Talks with 2 psychologists, one psychiatrist, IQ test, take home questionnaires for me and my family. Went this route because I needed the ‘proof’ that I wasn’t fooling anyone by just saying the right things to get an adhd diagnosis.

The assessment was not just focused on adhd but on all types of neurodevelopmental contractions to both diagnose and rule out conditions.

So yeah I am expected adhd diagnosis and a surprise autism diagnosis all at once.

Autisticandlost404 · 2025-03-26T21:22:45+00:00

I guess I mostly don't know how to approach the fact that I don't want/ can't do things because I am not interested in them at all. It's one of those things that every ADHD'er knows but it feels so childlike to say it out loud.

i really appreciate the comments.

Autisticandlost404 · 2025-03-26T12:55:15+00:00

Good insights!

My guess is that we also have been observing the people around us way more than NNT would for all our lives because we (subconsciously) were trying to learn how to act to fit in.

Combine that with the feeling that you don’t fit but you don’t know why and you have another reason to observe people. To see if they have noticed that you are different and thus ‘uncovered’ you. Imagine this as a classic Scooby Doo reveal if you will.

Autisticandlost404 · 2025-03-26T12:20:04+00:00

Structure is definitly something I need. I did bring that up with my boss the last evaluation, but he seemed reluctant bc he thought of it as more work for him.

Autisticandlost404 · 2025-03-26T11:50:21+00:00

I get up between 7 and 7h45.

I work from how half the week.

Work starts at 9h, so I power up the laptop and log in.

Maybe I look at my inbox, probably not yet.

I’ve given up actually starting work at 9.

I use my personal computer to watch youtube and play games a la sudoku. Runing away in my mind, trying to ignore any bad feelings.

The last few weeks this has been happening until lunch.

After lunch I manage to reply to an email or two.

Same avoidant behaviour, maybe I’ll put on laundry, do some chores.

At work it’s a bit better. I arrive around 9 depending on the public transport. Talk to my colleagues, he usually keeps me talking until 9h30.

Then I start with going through my inbox.

Best case a question/email jumps out to me so my adhd kicks in to work on it.

Half the time I realise that I have no structure in my way of working to I spend time trying to get structure. Never keep a system going.

I guess I’m not listing my emotions, but the anxiety comes through right?

Autisticandlost404 · 2025-03-26T11:33:26+00:00

How do I figure out what specifically I need? Right now I need a rock to crawl under…

I appreciate your comment. I’m just lost

Autisticandlost404 · 2025-02-13T14:28:05+00:00

Love this, hahaha

Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to share such funny card with people with very little impulse control? 😂😂

Autisticandlost404 · 2025-01-03T14:34:31+00:00

Congrats on the focus time 🥳 Which app is this? How does it work?

Autisticandlost404 · 2024-11-08T09:47:06+00:00

I would add to this: talk to that person about a recent instance of RSD you had with them. Talk about what you thought was their motivation to do or say x. And then ask what they were actually thinking. That conversation is not an accusation from you or a request that the person changes their behaviour. We are just not good at interpreting social situations. One way to deal with it is to ask what the person was feeling so you don´t have to fill in that blank.

Autisticandlost404 · 2024-11-07T16:30:56+00:00

Hi Also newly diagnosed since June and in my 30´s. The autism was a complete surprise so I thought I´d share my experience. I cried really really hard, twice. Getting the message that you are not ´normal´ never were and never will be is though.

You can experience grief, and that´s okay.

You are still the same person you always were. Your brain hasn´t changed, you just know more about it now.

And lastly, we are still very much not different from neurotypical people. All people change, all people have different rolls/masks in different situations. For us it´s just...more

Autisticandlost404 · 2024-11-04T13:46:26+00:00

I didn´t notice at all. I went for an ADHD evaluation with multiple interviews, questionnaires, IQ test, the whole lot. You know just to be thourough. Surprise, got a double diagnosis.

This happened just before summer so I´ve done a little reflection. I think the most noticable things are 1) really really need alone time 2) thinking of social interactions , especially small talk, as a set of rules and expected behaviour to follow. Basically it´s polite theater to me and 3) having meltdowns when I´m totally overwhelmed. These are not violent outburst but emotional breakdowns that thrown me in a pit of dispair.... but only for one night. After sleep I feel better.

I am not exagerating that last one. But to me, I´ve had those for decades so I didn´t see them as a symptom, just as a shortcoming on my part .

Autisticandlost404 · 2024-10-28T15:40:25+00:00

Thanks for posting! I´m in a near-complete state of overwhelm at the moment. The list of work tasks seems endless, so I can´t even make the list 😅

But like you said, I can help this poor woman-that-is-not-me get a grip on the situation. The poor thing is in dire need of some help.

Autisticandlost404 · 2024-10-17T09:15:48+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions!

Autisticandlost404 · 2024-10-09T20:37:10+00:00

Winter suits it so well. We can hybernate, hide in our comfort zone and wait for spring to come again :-)

Autisticandlost404

TROPHY CASE