Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello, I'm new here and this is the first time I've ever reached out to other people.
I'm 31 and have been suffering with chronic depression for over 5 years, well...only those 5 years have been treated.
My entire life has been a struggle. From being forcibly removed from a Wendy House as a child, screaming because it was safe and I was left alone to getting fired from every job I get because I "don't fit in" or get on with other people there eg. I just don't talk to them or I don't have the same energy.
I've never had friends and in my adult life I count 1 and the rest are people online. The distance from them makes me feel safe.
I play a lot of online video games. Not loud, shooty types but one's like Final Fantasy 14 when I can just exist in a world for a while and gather some stuff to craft with for hours. I don't have to talk to anyone but I like seeing people there.
I'm also an artist but I never really finish any of my pieces ha.
So today I finally had a requested phone call from my GP and...i froze. I panicked and I said all the wrong things and I just couldn't express why I feel I may be autistic. I had the conversation all planned out on my head but when it came to it I just crumbled. I felt stupid and attention seeking...everything I said could be put down to depression or just...nothing. I'm so upset but I couldn't explain my life in 10 minutes.
The good news is, is that he told me to send him a written letter via post explaining why I wish to be tested etc. But I'm struggling. It's not that I don't have reasons and examples and family members to back me up, it's that I feel I'm once again just going to be washed over with the "you're just eccentric" or "it's the depression" brush.
I just...can't say what I want to and this phone call took years for me to make and I feel just so utterly stupid.
Is there anyone who could give me a few tips to help filter my thoughts to put them on paper for me to send to him? Anything that could help properly express the struggles I had growing up and in adult life? I feel like because I cant express them, I can't make anyone believe me and that is devastating...
Thank you for your time :)
I did it like this
Dear Doctor XXX
Here is why i think i have autism and would like to be referred for an assessment
family relatives with autism/ADHD/OCD or labelled weird
1 uncle bob
2 mum suspected
3 etc
reasons why i think i have autism
1. very anti social
2. i stim
3. I have shutdowns once a week
4 hypersensitive to sound and light
.etc.....list of traits u have
other people
1. my mum said when i was young i was "weird"
2. librarian/counsellor suggested I am autistic
autism related conditions I have
1 Eczema
2. Anxiety
3. Depression
4 OCD
..... etc