Autism and ocd

[Star]

My adult daughter was diagnosed with autism recently and since then I have started to believe I also have it. I am spending lots of time googling and doing on line tests. Not sure if this is another obsession or not.

[G0ldenwr0ught]

Hi there!! I have wondered the same thing based on oddly specific social media algorithms, and done a fair bit of research on autism and adhd. I think that if you’re worried about it to an extent that it becomes disruptive, then it becomes an obsession. If you’re just curious and using this curiosity to get to know yourself better and discover helpful tools, and it isn’t causing you distress, I don’t see any harm in it- otherwise, you might need to take a step back and try to accept the uncertainty.

[Sallyskins]

It might be better to get a proper diagnosis, one way or another, from a psychologist - and then to leave it there!

Online investigations can lead you to think you have all sorts of conditions which you haven't got. There is a wonderfully funny book called Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome - the author has been reading a medical encyclopaedia and goes to his doctor, saying that he has all the ailments in the encyclopaedia except for housemaid's knee!

Like, I think, a lot of people with OCD, I have questioned if I have autism - but I haven't (and that's the diagnosis of a clinician!)

I think this constant have-I-or-haven't-I-got-it can become an obsession. It's all right to ask the question, but don't let it eat at you.

[Star in reply to Sallyskins]

Hi I have booked an appointment with a psychologist that is experienced with doing autism assessments in adults. I am not sure if this is me looking for reassurance or not. Sometimes it is hard to work out if this is a genuine concern or not. I do have a history of health anxiety OCD.

[Sallyskins in reply to Star]

That's a good start! Try to accept what the results of the assessment are - don't question it. If it's negative, leave it there. That doesn't mean you can't research and read up on autism on behalf of your daughter, but knock the online tests etc for yourself on the head.

As I'm sure you know, health OCD demands more certainty than is reasonable, and some people with it have themselves tested repeatedly. Resist the temptation as much as you can. As I said previously, it's so easy to convince yourself you have all sorts of diseases and conditions that you haven't!