My generation didn't get diagnosed with much nor did we take medication. We mostly grinned and beared because our parents were made of sturdy stuff. They told us to play outside and come back for dinner.
As a result there were cases of autism, chronic depression, anxiety, gender dysphoria, etc which went largely undiagnosed. We used coping mechanisms to get by instead.
I met a friend recently who thought he was likely on the spectrum but at almost 63 he had never seen a doctor about it. He figured this was the way he was and went about his life by adjusting to it.
My son was diagnosed at age 22 and was shown to be the classic high functioning autistic person. Higher intelligence but with some issues involving emotional demonstration and regulation leading to periods of excess anxiety. It is as if the brain takes from one area and gives to the other. In high school people just thought he was always chill.
Everyone has something and at least today we tend to catch things earlier. The risk that a misdiagnosis leads to slightly wrong medication which is why my son is coming off his as per the latest recommendation.
Autistic people need mostly exposure therapy instead of being drugged.
Interestingly enough, it was through my transgender journey that I stumbled upon my revelation that I am autistic. Finding out BOTH at 50 certainly is something. Every little quirky thing in my life and childhood can be attributed to those 2 discoveries. My past makes sense now. I couldn't believe how much I was masking. I still look back and shake my head. I don't blame my parents for not knowing. I masked well, but it is there. Growing up in the 80's without any of that terminology no one really knew. We just adapted. I have since stopped masking. And honestly it has made the world a bit more difficult. But while I am more vulnerable, at least I am being authentic.
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There seems to be some correlation between being gender variant in being on the spectrum. I am not myself but apparently it is not uncommon to have both. Of course older people were often not aware and simply regarded it as their normal
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