POTENTIALLY DUMB QUESTION ALERT, but I'm here for a reason.
I have SEVERE ADHD which a lot of the time feels like I'm bordering on autism when it comes to specific interactions. I've developed a habit of just, throwing out the phrase "oh, I'm just hella autistic" as a reason if I do something weird in a social interaction, like get overly passionate about something or get awkward or whatever.
I've never been formally diagnosed with autism, but I've had therapists suggest I may be autistic. Idk why I keep fucking saying that I'm "autistic" I feel like it's just easier to both say and explain as opposed to "oh I'm neurodivergent" or "Oh im just mentally ill :3" Its also cus I assume most people know what Autism looks like and thus I dont have to explain as much, as most people dont know what severe ADHD looks like and I assume most dont even take ADHD that seriously.
Is that something to just throw around like that?? 'Cause I have friends who actually are autistic, and after hyperfixating on all kinds of mental health research, I don't exactly fit the bar for autism, I'm wayyyyy too outgoing and sociable(?) among other things. My symptoms fit more under severe ADHD or potentially even AuADHD. Which I also have no idea how I can go about getting a diagnosis.
I have seen numerous psychologists and therapists get their backs up about people even saying "I'm depressed" or "I've been depressed lately" - and they'll quickly jump in to say "YOU ARE SAD. DEPRESSION IS A MEDICAL CONDITION - HAVE YOU BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH DEPRESSION? No? THEN YOU'RE SAD, NOT DEPRESSED" - so I personally steer clear of any and all self-diagnosis. I am not a doctor - I can only accurately describe my symptoms, not the cause or condition.
Before I try to explain anything, do you know what alexithymia is?
Yes, of course "depression" is a catchall term like "the vapors" was for Victorian housewives affected by everything from low blood volume to domestic abuse to black mold. I don't think you know anything about autism though.