Published on 12, July, 2020
my daughter is in her early 30's and I am sure that she has ASD. As a child she seemed so normal and sociable but gradually as an adult she developed more and more traits of the autism that her brother has been diagnosed with. Recently she seems to have lost all the joy in her life -she goes to work during the week ms the rest of the time she lives in her room and does not interact with anyone. Over the years I have tried to help her and have persuades her to go to the GP but all they do is prescribe anti depressions and tell her to contact I talk. I fwel she needs more specialised help but don't know where to go or how to persuade her to seek that help. I feel at the end of my tether as she shows no signs of ever moving out or being independent and she seems to have become increasingly hostile towards me despite my efforts to help her.
It sounds like a really difficult time for you and your daughter....what really flies out to me in your post is that your daughter has a pretty full on week at work and may want to relax and have a wind down time on her own at the weekend like most working people. I agree that it is worrying she is spending a lot of time on her own in her room... Do you know what a typical day looks like for your daughter? What are her work colleagues like? does she like/enjoy her work? she may well be depressed.. and her confidence & self esteem low. It's really hard but unless she wants/asks for support there is nothing really that you can do... she is an adult. sometimes family members are not always best placed to help, because of the relationship and closeness we have. There may be a range of issues bothering your daughter that she may not want to discuss with you (harsh as it sounds).. All you can do is to convey to her you are there for her, and leave leaflets of organisations offering support/friendship groups/ clubs near her, so when she decides to seek support it is because she is ready... Sadly with budget cuts to social care it's a tough old world out there now...
Please also consider getting some support for yourself, as you sound very worried. Please don't lose hope...