Alexandra Benedict: 'Discovering I had ADHD and autism as an adult saved me'

For Alexandra Benedict (1977), her diagnosis of autism and ADHD as an adult helped her make sense of her life - and understand her place in the world. Now her love of puzzles, which she uses as a way to relax and focus her 'flyaway' brain have made it into her latest book 'Murder on the Christmas Express' (2022).

Alexandra Benedict lifted the lid on being diagnosed as an adult. In 2022, a new report showed that there was a huge rise of 787 per cent in autism diagnoses in England between 1998 and 2018, largely owing to an increase in recognition - with many women finally getting a diagnosis[1].

Like many people diagnosed later in life, Alexandra had been searching for answers for a while. Often people struggle, thanks to dismissive healthcare professionals, an overburdened NHS, and simplistic stereotypes, which means they didn't fit what officials thought people with autism and ADHD acted like.

'I was diagnosed earlier this year after a lifetime of feeling ‘wrong’, and now I’m learning to accept myself, and work with, rather than against, my strengths,' says Alexandra.

'I have a photographic memory and I can play memories from when I was three or four-years-old. It's brilliant when reliving great memories but extremely traumatic when reliving difficult ones. My therapist said that from the way I was processing the traumatic memories, it was very clear and vivid. Amongst other things, she thought I may be on the autistic spectrum.

'I had looked into it before, because people before have commented on my memory and my mannerisms could point to it. I did some online tests, but my empathy levels are very high, and I thought that may rule me out. 'My therapist told me it was a myth that autistic people cannot have empathy - sometimes it is the complete opposite and they over-empathise - and that clicked for me.

'I was considered a very shy, but hyper-intelligent student. I used to hide in the school toilets to avoid things. I fell into books and other worlds, that was my comfort when I was very small and it still is. I had films I'd watch again and again... anything other than life.

'So, it were very classic symptoms of autism in women because we are socialised so differently and not allowed to melt down. I've burnt out many times and I've been diagnosed with ME, which a-lot of women with autism and ADHD are diagnosed with. The body shuts down as it can't cope to live in a world not meant for you.'

Alexandra added: 'I'm obsessed with Agatha Christie and the golden age of crime. I go to them for my general life advice. 'I always want to address what is going on underneath things, in the guises of cosy crime. It's important to me that other people see them recognised.'

[1] Russell et al: Time trends in autism diagnosis over 20 years: a UK population-based cohort study in Journal of The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines - 2022

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