Adult ADHD but potentially Autistic?

Hey everyone!

I’m just wondering if anyone has been diagnosed with Autism as an adult?

I’m 26 and was diagnosed with Inattentive type ADHD (ADD) last year and I take medication for this. However, I actually think I could be leaning more towards Autism?

My mum has always told me that she thought I was autistic, even as a child, but I always thought that was maybe a bit too far and the way that I am wasn’t quite as severe as Autism. Perhaps I was protecting myself from the fact she could be right?

The reason I think this is, although I know I have ADHD, I am very overly anxious about change. Now in my adult life where ‘real life’ is starting to surface, the potential for change is creeping up on me and I am very daunted by this. My current job, which I love and I am very comfortable with, just isn’t financially suiting me anymore and I know that I should really look for a new job but I am terrified to leave my comfort zone and have that change in surroundings and people. I know this sounds like a common fear for most people, however I have left my current place of work before and had 2 jobs in that time which I just could not adapt to, so I returned to where I am now and it was like a weight lifted. With that probably sounding like a common concern for a lot of people, it’s more the little things that really get me going. I think people on the outside looking in would probably think I’m a “control freak” with things, but I don’t mean it to be controlling! It comes from a routine/comfort/trust mindset. Eg.) I sent my partner to pick up our cats monthly flea and worm treatment. I told him specifically what one to get and how many etc, I get the same one every single time... but he returned with something different. He had a good, valid reason for doing so but this was catastrophic for me and the anxiety I felt over this damn flea treatment was ridiculous.

Sudden change in my day is also awful for me. If my partner suddenly announces that he is on his way to my house to stay the night, this stresses me the hell out. It’s not a problem! I love to see him... but this was not in the day’s plan.

There are a few other social aspects that also spark concern and always have, but what throws me off is that I am not shy. I can talk to people until I am blue in the face, especially at work as I work in customer services. However, if I am going to crowded place or a gathering for a friends birthday and there are going to be people I don’t know there, this makes me very anxious. So the social side can seem quite contradictory!

I can also be very particular about things. I think OCD may be a little strong, but I am very funny with specific things like certain smells, ensuring dishes and cutlery are clean to the point I will smell them and if they smell like water (don’t ask🤦🏻‍♀️) then I will rewash them. I also like things to be done a specific way, especially if something does not match the image I had in my mind. If I have an outfit idea in my mind and I do not find this outfit, the world is ending and potentially my plans to which I was going to wear said outfit. I am also the same with cooking.

I could be totally overthinking this! But, I think I could just be realising that this could be more that just ADHD.

Has anyone else experienced things like this?

Thank you so much!