Autism and Me - Getting an Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD Diagnosis.

[@lynncarter4964]

so helplful! about labels, my husband also says he "hates labels" but I think labels save lives, and often. If a husband doesn't know his wife is having peri menopause symptoms, he will think she is possibly insane and needs to be on (damaging) anti depressants, when all she needs is patience (about 2 years of it), more reassurance and being heard by him without judging. When a teen has ASD and doesn't know it, it is conclusive in psychology studies that they are more prone to depression and suicide because they can't find their tribe, and they feel like they don't belong on this planet. Personally I love labels, they help me to know how to treat a person who has a condition that needs a certain kind of support FROM ME. Before I knew about my husbands ASD, I was hard on him, now I give him the space he needs. Labels are good! thank yo so much for this video

[@OverthinkingOutLoud]

You're totally entitled to think labels are good. Unfortunately, nobody is the same, so the best you can do is lump a group of people with similar features together and label them. I'll never agree that's a good thing, but respect to you!

[@meurighailstone1999]

Thanks Colin, this was the video that inspired me to push my GP to get my asd assessment (took a lot of pushing). Diaagnosed with asd a couple of months back. This video really spoke to me, so many similarities. Cheers!

[@Ronelle-g9j]

Thank you for making this video. It helps me immensely to understand my brother, who is also on the spectrum. Thank you for advocating for everyone who are affected by autism. Sending you positive and good vibes. 🙏💕

[@chriscohlmeyer4735]

Years ago when you were close to finishing Silver Fox I came across that channel. There was something about you that resonated with me... Over 11 years ago I started a journey of coming to terms with what happened to me as a teenager, a roller coaster of depression and discovery and learning why my interactions with my mother were so frustrating right from birth. ASD and ADHD along with the C-PTSD eventually came together as a compounding factor to the abuse and trying to figure out my sexuality (bent). In grade school I only got bullied into fighting the new kids, I was the strongest, skinny weird space cadet kid and quickly won every fight. Junior High (Middle School) I ended up in the brainy class, there were 13 classes of about 30 students per grade level - it was interesting that each of us had strengths and weaknesses across the different subjects. Going back to third grade is when I learned to hate school when I was sent to a tutor. The tutor quickly saw that the reason I was sent to her was bogus, she did identify my form of dyslexia, solution was to read anything and everything to increase my vocabulary but keep my reading for school at grade level so I wouldn't upset the teachers. High School it was massive, five similar sized Junior High feeding that one school or a very small boarding school run by a childhood friend of my mother. Described it to one friend "That sounds like a prison farm"... LOL yes but no guards and afternoons to wander far and wide if you weren't cooking that day. It was good for me but there was also a dark side besides football (soccer) injuries. Few real friends but so many had my back looking out for me including one bouncer that let only me into a gentleman's club at closing time - last I saw him was at a real prison farm.

[@GoldilocksZone-665]

What I learned about school has haunted my adult life. I learned how good it feels to get to the doors and then walk away! That has never left me. The awareness that just because we've been sentenced it doesn't mean we can't seek freedom. As an analogy... Imagine being sentenced to execution and being led to the block. But there are no shackles on you. The guards are unarmed. They're all rather sluggish and complacent. The door to the outside world is standing open. Who is going to 'take their medicine' in that situation? I learned to evade. It feels absolutely amazing. It's almost worth getting sentenced to death just for the feeling of escape! Unfortunately - it makes me diabolically useless as an adult! If I really don't want to do something (even worse if I don't see the point) I'm out of there.

[@clairefirth2383]

This is the video that convinced me that I was worthy and to get my official diagnosis. Got my ASD diagnosis 3 years ago and its changed so much in my life for the better. Thanks for giving me the push i needed

[@Judymontel]

So glad I found your five year update and came to see this video as well! So much wisdom. I want to add that besides the spectrum itself, I think various neurodivergent traits interact in specific ways with our specific history. I was somewhat isolated as a child, but importantly, NOT bullied. As an adult, I've seen what prolonged stress (like, a couple of decades) can do to my coping strategies - they just fall apart sometimes. Over the past several years I've been taking steps to change my surroundings in ways that will hopefully allow me to cope better. Sometimes this has meant that stressors increased temporarily in order to reach a future environment that is more calming and supportive of who I actually am (vs who I think I should be or who I would like to be). I try to stay logical as I navigate this stuff, and I'm seeing improvement, but I appreciate having found your channel and your balanced outlook. I also REALLY appreciate coming along with you on your walks - the country is beautiful and calming.

[@yvonnefarrell1029]

6:12 "brain in complete overdrive" is literallly true apparently, which presents as a kind of sensation of being surrounded by Jell-O because things are feeling going on slowly around you. It feels the opposite of what is actually happening in one's brain. Also I really get that thing about school for a lot of kids it is awful, not the excitement the teachers expect. Thanks for doing this; will help you and the subscribers too. God bless.

[@danielaruhl1710]

Wow, your‘e describing my life. As a woman born in rural Germany in the 70s I had no chance getting an early diagnosis. Within the diagnostic process of my daughter (gifted, ADHD, Asperger’s) I found out what had been „wrong“ with me my whole life. Got ADHD last year age 49, still waiting on my ASD assessment. My thoughts on this kind of 24/7 depression and anxiety: I am not a big fan of medication, probably because I‘ve tried some anti-depressants, which did not help, but when I started taking ADHD meds, my „regular“ anxiety disappeared. I am still on a very low dosage, but this „I am scared to leave my bed, life doesn’t make any sense, I don’t wanna do this anymore“ thought first thing every morning is gone. Of course, bigger things like supermarkets, appointments and most social situations still stress me out, but when I am on my own and able to relax, I do enjoy my life. That‘s a lot nicer than before. So exploring the spectrum to find out where you are as an individual might also help to find some helpful meds.

[@stellamcqueen4809]

Thank you for this! I don't know you from a barge pole (mixed metaphor intended) but I am recently diagnosed AuDHD also, age 44. It is so helpful having personal stories like yours to help me understand myself and my diagnosis better. I'm on ADHD meds now and it is such a relief having more calmness and space in my brain for thoughts now that the constant WHIRRING has stopped. I also had to stop working, from a job i really enjoyed, due to massive burnout from AuDHD and comorbidities. Such a common story which helps me feel less like a failure. Off to listen to your followup now!

[@kellyburns7630]

Hearing someone else share of their mental health journey so honestly is so helpful. Thank you . Your videos are having an impact❤

[@carolbenson6752]

Hi, I just found this channel. I’m 70 and have never talked about how I’m feeling. Whenever anyone asked I always say I’m fine. I dint know if I’ll be able to contribute here, I hope I can. Thanks for this space

[@knrdvmmlbkkn]

"Whenever anyone asked I always say I’m fine." I sometimes wish I was comfortable with lying... so I could answer that.

[@MartinBettler]

Very honest, very insightful. I think I experienced and still experience a diluted version of the same, which makes it more bearable. But I recognize myself in it. It is darn good that you keep sharing and speaking out your mental condition. My recipe was and is in many ways to cope for myself. Which I hope to change. I am 54.

[@Risingstar0324]

I love you and your openness regarding ASD and how it has affected your life. I appreciate you and how you have come to understand more about yourself. We are, as you said, on a spectrum of one sort or another. I know I am, yet have never been diagnosed. I send my love to you and to Shaun. 💖 Freddie

[@OverthinkingOutLoud]

Thank you so much!

[@louispeel9919]

I found out about me when I was 54 when my First Born was diagnosed, ASD, by a Specialist. It was this man that informed me that I was on the autism spectrum. Don't worry, I am not straight either! lol

[@manyBlessings2all]

Excellent & Lovely video - Thank you - from an ASD adhd female late diagnosed aged 48 in Dec 2017.. & glad to see the link to the 5 year update, I'll go watch it now 😊

[@BrianSmith-lo3mj]

WOW, You are describing my life. I'm speechless ... lol ... You just gained a subscriber and I hope you get many more in the future.

[@yorkshiredrone]

Loved this video when it first came out, really spoke to me❤ great idea for a new channel too, look forward to the content. On a side note, wow the Gopro/Camera quality back then was vastly inferior to the latest ones, tech for ya.

[@OverthinkingOutLoud]

Haha! They were. I'm still using our GoPro 7 from the boat. I think they're up to GoPro 13 now, so I imagine the quality has improved even more!

[@yorkshiredrone]

@OverthinkingOutLoud Night and day, Dji have joined that party too, damn Gopro you had a good run...

[@marcmccook9154]

Great presentation all around

[@petercaseybrick]

oh everything you go through i have and I was diagnosed years ago. turrets, asperous.and just a few years ago with bipolar depression.i have therapy every two weeks and medication est.if I achieve one thing a day I take that as a win.helps me cope with the voices in my head.i understand now how I was growing up and why I did the things I did and still do.anyway bro have a cool day.

[@anthonycooper5877]

❤

[@launacasey6513]

*hugs*

[@johnbillings5260]

I know what you mean about dog barks causing physical pain.

[@radleyg9486]

We’re all in a spectrum in some way ❤

[@stellamcqueen4809]

With autism, only autistic people are on the spectrum. Non-autistic people are not on it because the starting point of the spectrum is 'is autistic' and the symptoms fan out from there.

[@knrdvmmlbkkn]

@@stellamcqueen4809The person wrote "a spectrum". There are several different spectra.

[@Robinicat]

Bravo to you for sharing. I think if I had a kid with your school experience, I would home school OR get the school to speak to bullies OR send you to a school for children who need extra support. You probably could identify many people all around whom you know who are on the spectrum. Vive la différence!