Hello it's me. So I got diagnosed with autism as a kid, around 15 years old, but my parents didn't seem to like the diagnosis so I never got any treatment or anything. So I go about my adult life with the background assumption I have autism.

Flash forward to today, my employer changes healthcare plans and suddenly I have psychiatric care coverage for the first time ever as an adult. I've been dealing with some stuff so I book a few appointments with the assumption I have autism. We'll long story short, over a few sessions the doctors have me screened and determine it's very unlikely I'm autistic in a medical sesne, which was kinda shocking to me.

But they tell me stuff like autism diagnoses have become better since I was a kid, so that calms me down. They tell me it's far more likely I exhibit what's called schizoid personality disorder (SPD) , which often seems like autism on the surface. I guess it explains a lot.

Anyone have experience with this?

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[–] 18 points 6 days ago

I'm glad you have access to care and I hope it's useful to you!

I had a somewhat opposite experience. I was diagnosed with bipolar in my 20s (type II, rapid cycling). After 2 years of trying to find a medication combo that worked for me, my doctor recommended me to an intensive day program. I went for the intake assessment and they were like, "Um, you aren't bipolar." Okay? Anyways, I stopped meds (with doctors blessing) and went on with my life.

I got diagnosed with autism in my 40s and suddenly it makes a lot more sense.

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