Diagnosed in June at 40!

Hi. I was diagnosed ASD in June. I’m a 40 year old divorced single mother of three. Eldest has ADHD/ and oppositional defiant disorder. ( also suspect ASD) my youngest son is definitely on the spectrum and on the list to be seen (he’s 6 told the wait is 18 months here in North Wales)

The positive side of being diagnosed is I can stop blaming myself for failing at almost everything inc careers, education and relationships. 

The negative side is I wish I’d got diagnosed while I was young as I’ve gone through hell with depression and anxiety and alcohol.

There are times in my house that I just want an hour of no noise. I feel it all building up, too many different sounds. The children wanting different things from me. It’s overwhelming. I struggle with concentration and can only seem to do one thing at a time. I sometimes feel I can’t breath like I want to run into a field in the middle of no where and be alone.  I try not to think about all this as it would make me feel stuck in a whole trying to get out. The future again seems overwhelming. I’m trying to stay in the ‘now’

I love my children very much and feel guilty that I feel like I want to escape sometimes!

I don’t want to socialise yet admire and envy people who do and sometimes feel left out and lonely. Hate school runs, too many people, too much noise , too much going on. 

I feel tired, old. I’ve put on lots of weight and feel at my worst! I don’t seem to be able to care for myself and can’t remember the last thing I bought for myself.

Im just hoping things get a little easier. More manageable. I need to be more organised for sure and struggle to keep to rotas.

Im not sure what help is available if anyone knows. ( north Wales) 

Thanks 

Parents
  • Have you been to back to your GP to see if there are any support services in your area?  It might be worth asking for support with executive functioning as well.  Also congratulations on raising three kids on your own - I certainly couldn't do that.  I am sure you are a great mother despite what you may think.  It might be worth looking at ways you get a bit of time out from the kids even for 30 mins.  Is there a relative that can help?  Or, do they like playing on computer games?  Something that will absorb them in their own rooms for say just 30 mins so you can get a bit of a breather. 

Reply
  • Have you been to back to your GP to see if there are any support services in your area?  It might be worth asking for support with executive functioning as well.  Also congratulations on raising three kids on your own - I certainly couldn't do that.  I am sure you are a great mother despite what you may think.  It might be worth looking at ways you get a bit of time out from the kids even for 30 mins.  Is there a relative that can help?  Or, do they like playing on computer games?  Something that will absorb them in their own rooms for say just 30 mins so you can get a bit of a breather. 

Children
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