”Jag var liksom beredd på att ingen skulle tro på mig någonsin" : Vuxna kvinnors upplevelser av väntetid och mottagande av neuropsykiatrisk diagnos

The purpose of this master thesis is to explore how adult women describe their experiences of waiting times and how they made sense of their diagnosis. Four adult women, 22 to 32 years old, were interviewed through semi structured, qualitative in-depth interviews. The results indicate how the interviewees long have suspected that they have adhd or autism, but were doubted by themselves and others, mostly based on stereotypes of how adhd and autism are expressed. Most interviewees experienced a long process trying to receive an assessment and found the waiting time frustrating. One of the purposes of the diagnosis was to serve as an explanation to the individual’s difficulties – the interviewees described how the diagnosis brought a sense of relief. Moreover, the diagnosis enhanced understanding and support from others and provided access to social support services. Receiving a diagnosis that explains their difficulties and can provide support is crucial for the individual and their social environment. However, the diagnostic process and the power of medical diagnoses is problematized and discussed in a larger social context from a sociological perspective.