{"id":247,"date":"2025-02-15T09:13:30","date_gmt":"2025-02-15T09:13:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etonpsychiatrists.co.uk\/blog\/?p=247"},"modified":"2025-10-21T23:32:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T23:32:17","slug":"journey-to-understanding-autism-and-adhd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etonpsychiatrists.co.uk\/blog\/journey-to-understanding-autism-and-adhd\/","title":{"rendered":"Journey to Understanding Autism and ADHD"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This article shares the deeply personal and transformative experience of one of our patients, offering insight into their journey with mental health challenges. The narrative highlights the significant impact of a compassionate healthcare provider, particularly Dr. Rostamipour, <\/strong>and aims to provide a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in diagnosing and managing conditions like anxiety, depression,<\/strong> autism<\/strong>, and ADHD.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background: Struggling with Anxiety and Depression<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Before seeking private help and meeting Dr. Rostamipour ,<\/strong> I had been diagnosed with anxiety <\/strong>and depression <\/strong>for about 10 years. Not one professional in the health service <\/strong>had ever considered that I might have undiagnosed autism<\/a> or ADHD<\/a>. During school, it was acknowledged that I was different, and I was told I was dyslexic at one school but not at the next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Misunderstood During a Mental Health Crisis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of my worst experiences was during a mental health crisis when I was told that if I just lost weight, I would be happy and fine. It was totally reductive and dismissive of my emotions, symptoms, and experiences. I felt completely misunderstood and isolated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Possibility of Autism and ADHD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because of these experiences, I never thought it was possible for me to have autism<\/strong> or ADHD<\/strong>. The first time the possibility was suggested was by someone with ADHD<\/strong> who thought I might have it too. I went to my therapist, and they actually thought I might have autism<\/strong> but not ADHD.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Lifetime of Struggles: Fitting In and Coping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For my whole life, it seemed like everyone else found things easy. For me, everything was a struggle\u2014fitting in, making work, maintaining friendships and relationships. I rarely felt understood. I\u2019ve done so much work to try to understand myself<\/strong> and learn to cope<\/strong>, but I always felt like I was fighting a losing battle. I thought that if I got a diagnosis, it would help me understand myself better and learn how to cope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Turning Point: Meeting Dr. Rostamipour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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When I first went for my assessment, I was scared. What if I was a fraud or wasting someone\u2019s time? But Dr. Rostamipour <\/strong>was kind and explained everything. He told me his background and how the process worked. When I got my first diagnosis of autism <\/strong>and the recommendation for an ADHD assessment, <\/strong>I felt relieved\u2014I wasn\u2019t a fraud. At last, I had a reason for why I was different, but I also thought, \u201cWell, what now?\u201d It felt like a problem to be fixed, but I also felt a sadness, knowing that I might always find some things difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unexpected ADHD Diagnosis: A Revelation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I was initially very surprised when ADHD<\/strong> was mentioned, as I had been basing my views on the symptoms typically seen in men. I did some research into ADHD in women<\/a>, and the symptoms began to resonate with me. I pursued another assessment, and Dr. Rostamipour <\/strong>was again kind. I received my ADHD <\/strong>diagnosis. He explained the medications, therapy <\/strong>options, and accommodations I could ask for at work. Though a bit overwhelmed, I was relieved that care didn\u2019t stop at the diagnosis. I was introduced to Bruce and have been seeing him regularly. I have hope for a more positive future.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning to Thrive: Medication, Therapy, and Support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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I\u2019m now on a journey to understand <\/strong>how both diagnoses affect me and toward self-acceptance,<\/strong> and I\u2019ve started educating my family. I\u2019m a few months into my medication, <\/strong>and while my dose isn\u2019t yet final, I\u2019ve already begun to notice benefits: daily tasks are getting easier, and I\u2019ve even been praised at work for my organization<\/strong> (which I never thought would happen). I look forward to continuing to work with Bruce to understand myself better and develop skills to cope with overwhelming or overstimulating areas of my life. I hope to gain the confidence to advocate for myself instead of fearing that asking for accommodations makes me a burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges with Standardized Assessments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In terms of the generic screening questions for autism <\/strong>and ADHD,<\/em><\/strong> I found them too black-and-white. Some of my answers didn\u2019t fit neatly into \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno.\u201d My assessment was more of a conversation, and Dr. Rostamipour <\/strong> used our discussions to guide the answers. Some symptoms I never associated with myself were revealed through this process. For example, I didn\u2019t think I was bad at organization, but it turned out that what I considered \u201corganization\u201d wasn\u2019t actually effective. If I had answered the assessment questions without that conversation, the results may have been different. I actually learned a lot about myself during the assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also felt that the ADHD <\/strong>questions were more geared toward male symptoms. I was grateful to have someone who understood ADHD<\/strong> as a whole to help guide me through the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Navigating the Complexities of Autism and ADHD<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I still need to understand how my autism<\/a> and ADHD<\/strong> interact, as some aspects seem completely opposite on paper, yet I experience them both. Overall, this is a journey of learning and acceptance. Without seeking Dr. Rostamipour <\/strong>and Bruce\u2019s help, I think I would still be \u201csurviving,\u201d but now I\u2019m on a path to \u201cthriving\u201d as best as I can with the challenges these diagnoses bring. I hope to eventually see the positive attributes of having autism <\/strong>and ADHD.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advice for Others: Pursue an Assessment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If anyone suspects they might have autism<\/strong> or ADHD<\/strong>, I believe they should pursue an assessment. A diagnosis can empower individuals to advocate for themselves and help normalize these conditions. Personally, I\u2019ve already met colleagues with autism<\/strong> and ADHD,<\/strong> and it has been freeing to connect with them without judgment. I hope to find community in this group, which is something I\u2019ve never had before. Looking back, I think if I had known about this community earlier, I would have been less nervous at the beginning of my journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Advice from the Patient:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If anyone suspects they might have autism <\/strong>or ADHD,<\/strong> I believe they should pursue an assessment. A diagnosis can empower individuals to advocate for themselves and help normalize these conditions. Personally, I\u2019ve already met colleagues with autism<\/strong> and ADHD, <\/strong>and it has been freeing to connect with them without judgment. I hope to find community in this group, which is something I\u2019ve never had before. Looking back, I think if I had known about this community earlier, I would have been less nervous at the beginning of my journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related Services and Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n