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Late autism diagnosis/ depression

Jd

Hi. 
just wondered about others views on autism and depression. 
struggling to find someone who understands my views and thoughts on life.

Recently had a rough spell where my wife’s been quite ill and at one point was touch and go as to whether she would make it,  She’s slowly recovering now but is looking like she’s gonna struggle to walk properly again amongst other things.  
I’ve had many a dark day especially recently and she’s telling me it’s all pointing towards depression and think she doesn’t believe I am autistic. 
I am basing my autism diagnosis on my whole life not just recent events and the assessment team views me as a strong enough case to asses me and my gp said I would be very surprised if I’m not on spectrum. 
depression could be a factor as juggling a 7yr old showing similar traits to myself as well as work, HomeLife and my wife’s illness on top of autism it’s been a very hard period.

But it’s not being helped by the fact people constantly doubt me and putting pressure on me for their own needs. Have agreed to speak to my gp about depression and autism but it’s very difficult to talk about it when you think nobody believes you and your looking for a get out clause/excuse. 

I know I am on the spectrum somewhere and it doesn’t bother me really. A lot of my life makes sense since discovering about autism and myself and it’s helping me understand me. Just wish others would understand me too...

Parents

  • It must be difficult for you both, but you seem to be going in the right direction.

    At our age, there is always going to be some doubt about diagnosis and/or self-identification. But my finding is that by deciding that a label fits well enough, you can then free yourself up to deal with fears, anxieties and depression. I admit that I have fallen heavily under the influence of a school of thinking that depression can be comparatively easy to shift, given some personal modification of circumstances. And i have quite a history of shaking off depression. But it helps to personally accept some sort of label; despite the obvious deficiencies of labelling. Unfortunately though, that does tend to mean that there won't be too much sharing of your experience with other people.  I have found almost no one i can talk to about this, as I am a self-imposed exile from the UK; and locally it is completely taboo. I live in hope of finding some sort of support group; but it hasn't happened in three years, yet.

Reply

  • It must be difficult for you both, but you seem to be going in the right direction.

    At our age, there is always going to be some doubt about diagnosis and/or self-identification. But my finding is that by deciding that a label fits well enough, you can then free yourself up to deal with fears, anxieties and depression. I admit that I have fallen heavily under the influence of a school of thinking that depression can be comparatively easy to shift, given some personal modification of circumstances. And i have quite a history of shaking off depression. But it helps to personally accept some sort of label; despite the obvious deficiencies of labelling. Unfortunately though, that does tend to mean that there won't be too much sharing of your experience with other people.  I have found almost no one i can talk to about this, as I am a self-imposed exile from the UK; and locally it is completely taboo. I live in hope of finding some sort of support group; but it hasn't happened in three years, yet.

Children
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