Misdiagnosed with ADHD as a kid, later found out I have Autism

Same thing happened to me! Diagnosed with ADHD at around 6 years old and on high doses of stimulants until around 12, nothing worked for me no matter the med or dose and stimulants could have potentially worsened my psychosis later on.

You def could have been misdiagnosed but it’s also really likely you have both. 50-80% of autistics have ADHD and 30-50% of ADHDers have autism. They used to be exclusive but that changed in 2013. You know your journey best ofc just throwing it out there. Also ASD does stand for autism spectrum disorder so you weren’t wrong. But in general the community likes to distance themselves from the word “disorder” bc autism isn’t disordered thinking it a different way of your brain being wired. Great example of doctors being 10 steps behind their patients.

If you like reading, I highly recommend a book called “Field Guide to Earthlings” by Ian Ford. It’s written by an autistic person, and I have never related so much to a book! It explains a lot of the differences between how autistic and allistic (non-autistic) people think and interact, and has some self-help advice. In terms of finding happiness as an autistic person, my #1 piece of advice would be to make friends with other neurodivergent people (people with ASD, ADHD, etc.). Of course, this is MUCH easier said then done for people with ASD, but I can tell you that it makes life feel so much worthwhile and fun. For me, all it takes is one good friend — someone with whom you can take off the mask and be 100% yourself. Similar special interests are a great place to start!

As i said i was misdiagnosed at a young age. A family friend who is a doctor diagnosed me with autism in 06 however that wasn't good enough. My actual doctor made me stay on my adhd medication. I wasn't OFFICIALLY diagnosed until 2017 and I'm trying to learn as much about it as i can. I've lived my whole life under a false medical condition and i want to learn to finally be happy with who i am. Autism, anxiety, depression. I don't want medication. I want to learn how to live my life to the fullest without medication. Hoping to find people in a similar situation. I'm INFP myself

I do not know much about autism. I could send you to google scholar. There, i found out that red riding hood may have had autism and thats the source of her naivety and trusting nature. But maybe do not call it a disorder, literally no one calls it that anymore, because that may root unhappiness like maybe call it “difference”. Look up famous people on the spectrum. And about masking … it can be useful under some pretense but generally among a friend i guess stimulation (puzzles or like i like movie) and stims (i actually hand flap im so textbook def.) are the best bet for unmasking id say idk maybe watch a ted talk. Ive never been misdiagnosed before tho thats crazy.