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K

kavya~

1mo ago in First steps & introductions

My kid got diagnosed but won't talk about it

My 12yo got diagnosed with autism. They refuse to acknowledge it, call it stupid, say everyone's a little autistic. I'm not forcing it but the denial worries me. They have the diagnosis. They're not accepting it. Now…

Everyone#advice-request#identity#teen-acceptance#teen-denial
17💬 2New reply 1mo ago
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nikhil~

1mo ago in First steps & introductions

Diagnosis was a relief but my parents are grieving

They reacted to my diagnosis like I told them I was dying. They're sad, angry, mourning the 'normal' child they thought they had. Meanwhile I'm just feeling... seen for the first time. My clarity is their tragedy. How…

EveryoneCN: Grief#acceptance#emotional-support#parent-child-conflict#parental-grief
20💬 2New reply 1mo ago
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eli~

1mo ago in First steps & introductions

First post — late-diagnosed at 39 and still digesting it

Just here to say hi. Got an autism + ADHD diagnosis last month. The relief and grief are showing up at the same time and I don't quite know what to do with that.

ND adultsCN: Diagnosis#intro#late-diagnosed
64💬 2New reply 1mo ago
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tara~

1mo ago in First steps & introductions

Everyone's telling me to 'embrace neurodiversity' but I'm just scared

I've read all the 'ADHD is a superpower' posts. Cool. I'm still terrified about what my future looks like, whether I can hold a job, whether anyone will love me. Acceptance feels far away when survival feels uncertain.…

EveryoneCN: Anxiety#anxiety#emotional-support#future-worry#toxic-positivity
16💬 2New reply 1mo ago
K

kavya~

1mo ago in First steps & introductions

My diagnosis has become my entire identity

Six months post-diagnosis and I've joined every ADHD group, read every book, reorganized my life around accommodations. I'm grateful but also—when do I stop being 'the ADHD person' and just be me? I swapped one box…

Everyone#balance#identity#identity-consumed#reflection
20💬 2New reply 1mo ago
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nikhil~

2mo ago in First steps & introductions

The therapist I found is hopeless

Diagnosis psych was great. Referred me to 'an ADHD specialist' to help with next steps. This therapist has no idea about ADHD, keeps trying to analyze my childhood, and dismisses my diagnosis as 'a label.' I thought…

EveryoneCN: Medical#bad-therapist#practical-advice#support#therapist-selection
28💬 2New reply 2mo ago
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nikhil~

2mo ago in First steps & introductions

I was diagnosed but I don't feel different

Officially ADHD. I expected some revelation. But I wake up and feel exactly the same. All those struggles are still there. The diagnosis alone didn't fix anything. I thought knowing would change everything. It didn't.…

EveryoneCN: Diagnosis#diagnosis-letdown#expectations#reality-check#story-invitation
14💬 2New reply 2mo ago
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eli~

2mo ago in First steps & introductions

My spouse still doesn't believe it's real

I have a diagnosis. My spouse thinks I'm making it an excuse. This is creating a chasm in our marriage. They think if I try harder or stop 'using ADHD' as a crutch, I'd be fine. I have proof. They have doubt. We're…

Everyone#advice-request#relationship-conflict#spousal-denial#spousal-support
27💬 2New reply 2mo ago
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eli~

2mo ago in First steps & introductions

My kid got diagnosed and everyone's suddenly an expert

We went public with our kid's ADHD diagnosis (had to for school accommodations). Now random people give unsolicited advice: 'You should try this diet,' 'My nephew's cousin was cured with yoga,' 'You're medicating your…

Everyone#boundary-setting#judgment#practical-advice#unsolicited-advice
18💬 2New reply 2mo ago
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tara~

2mo ago in First steps & introductions

The diagnosis confirmed my deepest fear

I always knew something was 'wrong' with me. The diagnosis just made it official. Now I have proof I'm not normal, and that's both validating and devastating. Knowing is better than not knowing. But it's also lonelier.…

Everyone#emotional-support#internal-shame#self-worth#shame
18💬 2New reply 2mo ago
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aarti~

2mo ago in First steps & introductions

Nobody warned me about post-diagnosis depression

Got diagnosed ADHD at 30. First week was relief. By week 3, I was depressed. Grieving all the ways this affected my life before I knew. Is this normal? The clarity feels like opening a wound. Did you experience…

EveryoneCN: DiagnosisCN: GriefCN: Medical#grief#mental-health#post-diagnosis-grief#story-invitation
20💬 2New reply 2mo ago
K

kavya~

2mo ago in First steps & introductions

Should we test our other child?

Older kid diagnosed with autism. Younger one is 'fine' but shows some similar traits. Do we get them tested or let them be? Are we creating labels unnecessarily? One diagnosis feels like opening a door to finding…

EveryoneCN: Diagnosis#advice-request#family-testing#multiple-kids#sibling-diagnosis
13💬 2New reply 2mo ago