What do you think of when you think of autism? Until recently, the male to female gender ratio for neurodiverse conditions was thought to be 3:1; The number of women appears to be significantly underestimated.
why? Most of the research done on autism has involved male volunteers, meaning we now have a better understanding of how autism manifests in those of us with XY chromosomes. means. Additionally, women may now be socialized into “masking” (artificially performing social behaviors that are considered “good” by neurotypical standards), so even if they are diagnosed, they may not be diagnosed until later in life. It is thought that the disease may not be diagnosed until later.
Hannah Molesworth is an artist, model and autism awareness campaigner from Weymouth, Dorset. She was misdiagnosed as having anxiety and depression, and was told years ago when she was 23 that she was actually autistic.
This is her story.
Autism in women: misdiagnosed as anxiety and depression
“You don’t look autistic – really?”
I don’t know if anyone can describe what an autistic person “looks like.” But that didn’t stop people from asking me this question. This is one of the many ways autism is misunderstood.
People with autism are often described as feeling different from the people around them. But it’s hard to know what’s “different” if you have to stick with just your own experience.
For me as a child, it manifested as constant crying, restlessness, and being overly attached to my parents. By my teenage years, I felt anxious and miserable and expressed those feelings by hurting myself.
One minute I was needy, the next I was withdrawn, and I had very few friends. And my teachers couldn’t understand my inconsistent behavior either.
My mother thought I might have a mental health problem and suggested I see a GP. And by the time I was taking her GCSEs, I had been diagnosed with anxiety, depression and anorexia.
But none of those labels meant anything to me. It’s true that I was avoiding food, but it had nothing to do with control. I had an aversion to foods that had a mushy texture.
Still, the term “anxiety attack” is the perfect way to describe how I suddenly feel overwhelmed without any warning.
Once, during a trip to IKEA, the noise, strip lights, and smell of wood became unbearable. I started crying and jumped into a dresser to avoid people’s eyes.
My driving instructor was the first to use the word “autism” in the context of my behavior.
I was 17 and took all of his instructions too literally. If he told me to pull over to the left, I would do it no matter what other cars were doing.
Growing irritated with me and worried that I was dangerous, he explained that his brother was autistic and urged me to see a doctor.
I went to the doctor, who again denied my concerns.
There was no way I was autistic, he explained, because I had made the appointment myself.
Over the years, I’ve become an expert at hiding the aspects of myself that make me feel different. I integrated into society enough to go out with my friends at night, and we got married in 2015. But the marriage didn’t last because I was pretending to be someone I wasn’t.
Desperate for answers, I decided to pay for a private appointment with an autism specialist and was finally diagnosed with autism at the age of 23.
I was very relieved that there was a label. Understand that there is a reason why you feel the way you do.
Not that life as an autistic adult has been easy. With no support available locally, I had to go online to find a solution. So I found solace in conversations with other autistic people.
They taught us that while we can’t stop all the meltdowns that can be triggered by social or sensory situations, there are strategies we can learn to control them.
I still get caught off guard from time to time. Like when I was recently surprised by fireworks and ended up in a state of shock and tears. I find supermarkets equally unbearable, full of chatter.
But I love live music, so if I know I’m going to an environment with loud noises and flashing lights, I can psych myself up for it. I also started to see my condition more positively.
I have a really good memory and a keen eye for detail. For example, 10 years ago, she was able to tell her mother without hesitation that her mother had kept a set of spare keys in colored pots in a cupboard in a particular room.
One of the biggest challenges is how others react to autism. My life has been filled with people who understand my condition.
I don’t feel like going out, but who can understand that I have to leave the party early? That means my bubble is often burst by comments from strangers.
Yes, an autistic person can sit in a pub and have a drink with you.No, I’m not that guy. big bang theory.
Out of frustration with the public perception of autism, I started the hashtag #DoILookAutisticYet? This piece went viral, so I hope it opens people’s eyes to the reality of autism. But it’s also for people who feel the same way I do. People who have received a mental health diagnosis that doesn’t apply to them at all.
If you seek the answer, you may find it.
What is autism?
Dr Sarah Bourla, Consultant Psychiatrist and author @themindmedic said:
“Autism begins in early childhood and affects how a person views themselves, the world, and interacts with those around them.
Until recently, studies had put the male to female sex ratio at 3:1, but new evidence suggests that the number of women with the disease was underestimated. It can manifest as different difficulties and affect people in different ways.
Some people may have difficulty with social communication and reading other people’s feelings. They may also be sensitive to certain sounds, textures, or tastes, the latter of which often affects their diet.
There is no cure for autism, but people suffering from mental health conditions associated with autism, such as depression and anxiety, may need therapy or medication. ”
For more information about Hannah’s autism awareness campaign, visit facebook.com/doilookautisticyet and @doilookautisticyet.
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