Post Diagnosis Counselling

I got diagnosed at 17, just a few months before I turned 18. After my diagnosis, I went to CAMHs every week or so up until the last month or so, when they started spreading out the appointments so I could get used to not going anymore.

Generally, we just talked about how I was coping with the diagnosis, the things I struggle with, how I could find ways of calming down or relaxing, how I can improve on certain social interactions I've always struggled with, but more importantly, she helped me to understand that many of the things 'normal' people do are confusing or ineffective, and that while I struggle with socialising, I'm much better equipped for other situations in different areas i.e. attention to detail regarding the things I enjoy, such as animals.

Since then, I've become far more relaxed, a LOT more outgoing, I talk to people more, I don't worry so much about what they think of me in certain respects and generally happier at coping with situations by myself rather than running to hide in my room for days on end. I've even gained the confidence to sign up to a uni course that involves a lot of teamwork and interaction because now I know I can get along with people over subjects I like.

I think the counselling comes with getting a positive diagnosis, because thats what happened to me, and to my autistic cousin when my aunt got him diagnosed (I've got Aspergers, hes further down the spectrum than me).

I got diagnosed at 17, just a few months before I turned 18. After my diagnosis, I went to CAMHs every week or so up until the last month or so, when they started spreading out the appointments so I could get used to not going anymore.

Generally, we just talked about how I was coping with the diagnosis, the things I struggle with, how I could find ways of calming down or relaxing, how I can improve on certain social interactions I've always struggled with, but more importantly, she helped me to understand that many of the things 'normal' people do are confusing or ineffective, and that while I struggle with socialising, I'm much better equipped for other situations in different areas i.e. attention to detail regarding the things I enjoy, such as animals.

Since then, I've become far more relaxed, a LOT more outgoing, I talk to people more, I don't worry so much about what they think of me in certain respects and generally happier at coping with situations by myself rather than running to hide in my room for days on end. I've even gained the confidence to sign up to a uni course that involves a lot of teamwork and interaction because now I know I can get along with people over subjects I like.

I think the counselling comes with getting a positive diagnosis, because thats what happened to me, and to my autistic cousin when my aunt got him diagnosed (I've got Aspergers, hes further down the spectrum than me).