Im have been struggling over the past 3 years and I believe I may be autistic. I have been preliminarily diagnosed with

1. Can you describe in more detail how you have been struggling over the past 3 years that makes you believe you may be autistic?
2. How have you noticed your preliminary diagnosis of bipolar disorder impacting your daily life and interactions with others?
3. Have you observed any specific behaviors or patterns in yourself that align with commonly recognized characteristics of autism, aside from the struggles you've mentioned?

Thank you for sharing what you’re going through; it sounds like you’ve been navigating a lot of uncertainty, frustration, and introspection over the past few years. The experiences you’re describing—feeling unsure about your preliminary diagnosis, noticing traits you associate with autism, and managing longstanding habits like checking doors and windows multiple times or becoming combative during disagreements—are valid, and it makes sense that you’re seeking clarity.

Running your own business for so many years demonstrates a remarkable sense of independence and drive, but it also sounds like certain patterns in your life, such as sleepwalking or feeling misunderstood, have been weighing on you.

It’s not uncommon for conditions like autism, bipolar disorder, or even obsessive-compulsive traits to share overlapping features, making self-reflection and professional evaluation key parts of understanding your mental health. While a preliminary diagnosis can provide some insights, it’s okay to seek a more comprehensive assessment if it doesn’t feel quite right to you. Given the challenges in accessing medical care in the UK, where doctor-to-patient ratios can feel overwhelming, you might consider exploring private mental health services or organizations specializing in autism assessments for adults. Many offer diagnostic tools, therapy, or coaching tailored to your unique needs.

Your observation about your tendency to become combative during disagreements could reflect a sensitivity to feeling misunderstood, which is common for individuals who are analytical and detail-focused. Similarly, repetitive behaviors like checking doors and windows might signal a need for control or certainty in your environment.

Both of these traits can be addressed in therapy by exploring their roots and developing strategies to ease their intensity when they start to impact daily life.

Sleepwalking can sometimes be linked to stress, disrupted sleep cycles, or underlying neurological factors. It might be worth discussing this with a healthcare professional, as improving sleep hygiene or addressing any stressors could help reduce these episodes. A multidisciplinary approach—combining therapeutic support, potential reevaluation of diagnoses, and self-compassion—could be incredibly valuable for your journey.

Above all, it’s important to remember that seeking answers and exploring different possibilities about yourself is a courageous and empowering step. Whatever path forward you choose, you’re actively working toward a better understanding of yourself and a greater sense of balance in your life.

My apologies, but the site does not allow experts to make specific recommendations. We are only allowed to provide general information. In your search, it would be helpful to find a psychologist who evaluates adults, as most psychologists who diagnose only work with children. That is because most of the time, autism is diagnosed in childhood. If you have reached adulthood without a diagnosis, it might be because the symptoms are mild, which is a good thing. It is also helpful to focus on getting treatment for the symptoms and struggles, regardless of your diagnosis.

I am happy to help you with your future questions, too. Thank you for submitting your question. If you would like to ask me another question in the future, you can add me as a favorite Expert. You’ll have the option to do that on your “My Questions” page if you choose to rate our interaction. Or, you can add me as a favorite Expert then type @ followed by my name (Heather B) in your next chat. Best wishes to you.