I need some guidance.

Nope, Claude is also a black and white. It's funny because like Jinxy he knows his purring soothes me. If I'm in meltdown because of noise he doesn't purr. He also likes his personal space!

Ginger cat I’m assuming? They are always the most affectionate ones! My Jinxy is black and white - shy to strangers, affectionate on his terms, and would prefer if you didn’t get in his personal space - I think we have an understanding of each other

Chortle chortle, they're great aren't they! When I'm not in meltdown and he needs some security he nuzzles his head into my armpit of all places. It makes me smile as he is a big, semi feral Tom and a large character. If the next door neighbours cat could see him when he's doing that I think his street cred would drop a few places

Are we the same person?  Whenever I have a meltdown, I sit in my room in the dark with my cat and just cry and stroke him and he will purr because he knows the sound soothes me

My cat is definitely my best friend, I’ve spent a lot of time recently lying in my dark bedroom as meltdowns have increased in number and in length. He has been brilliant and generally lies down the side of me, if I don’t want to be touched he curls up giving me some distance. He knows what I need and when...and I know what he needs when he sits on my bedside table and meows once...food!

Hi Morgan. I am in a similar situation. I have autism and anxiety. have really struggled to be able to work how I am possibly going to live with the issues I face, as my life is currently going through major changes that feel I can’t cope with. I also love my cat more than anyone else. If you ever want to talk, sometimes getting out your feelings to someone who understands your struggles may help

Yes struggling as youd expect -i know ill say the wrong thing .... just hope people understand - seems to be what ive done all my life so difficult to come to terms with 

I just never want anyone to feel as alone as I have ... its been so difficult - no one has to be bullied all their life just because they think differently.

So we're stronger when we get through it, and thats all i want people to know.

Welcome Jack, I'm assuming you are new

Hi, I'm new, but so understand how you feel - I'm over twice your age and I've made it this far you can really achieve - everyone here understands - try living 50+ years without knowing whats going on!!!

1, You are NOT alone - unless you want to be - everyone is here when you need them

2. You are NOT crazy youre fine, you just need to find a strategy - it really is OK - crazy people live their lives without thinking what theyre doing!!! all youre doing is challenging yourself to find a way - pretty sure that aint crazy.

3. You definitely have wonderful talent in something - we get angry when we care and cant fix something - its just frustration - this shows you care about whatever it is - all youve got to do is identify it, work out what the best thing to do is and use that as a strategy - so easy to type into a forum but it comes - believe me

4. Order is good, so write a list - what are you worried about on one side, and what you can do about it on the other - if the what can i do about it column is blank, put a big line through it and forget about it forever - then all you're left with is the to do list!

5. Lockdown - this is where you can really go for it - its a massive opportunity because we can achieve things if we focus - we dont need to go out - get yourself nice and peaceful, think about what you want to be or achieve - this can take days - don't rush it. Get fitter? Sort the house out, learn something - a language maybe - once you've got something, then you are all good - you know how an obsession can become a passion - just find out what it is.

Honestly, please believe me you're going to be fine - find your calm and use what you think your weaknesses are as strengths

I hear you sweetie! Went down this road when I got diagnosed at 31 and was offered absolutely nothing... the best advice I can give is to see if there is any local groups running in your area as that is what helped me. also, communication with the people around you is important, but even if you are struggling to speak, there is no harm in writing or doing a sound recording as that’s what I do with my mum and dad when am struggling to articulate to them face to face or over phone. 

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAmL-ABhDFARIsAKywVadBT24zdL-8GhftXjq5WP73iV3ne3jj-EvS0XXVXzqbr7FdSzSpEqgaAsEDEALw_wcB

This is a helpline you can contact, or sounds like talking things through will help you a lot. 

Hi, Morgan:

I’m dictating this with dictation software, so please excuse any spelling mistakes or words that seem completely out of place. :-) Just sipping coffee as I sit here with my little dog and my heart goes out to you after I read your post.

Thanks for your post and your total honesty in it. I can’t speak for anyone else but I just want you to know that your post, to me, is exactly the reason we have this community and can share and gain support from others. I hope you’re feeling better today and that you’re getting lots of kitty cuddles and love and support from your cat. It is totally OK and fine to have our pet as our best friend! I think that’s why they are given to us.

As I reread your post it seems to me your most pressing need is someone to talk to, ideally in real time. Although I live in Canada, not the UK, I suspect that through the charity that hosts this website, if you were to contact them, you would be able to find a telephone support line where, free of charge, you could phone and gain support, potentially even 24 hours a day if you were in crisis. I believe the UK, like Canada, has a government funded health system, and a relatively strong social safety net, so such a service is likely more easily accessed than it might appear.

I know telephone support is not the same thing as in person support, not that we are really getting the latter right now due to the pandemic, but phone support is surprisingly soothing. I have used it myself and it was invaluable.

I would recommend simply starting with this website, and contacting them through the “contact us” type of page that sites like this usually have. Again, if you reach out to the people who run this site, they will likely be able to refer you to a support line of some sort.

On a related note, although it might not be ideal, if the support line is not specifically dedicated to autism but the staff members are compassionate and caring, that could still be a great stopgap measure that could help you at this time.

It’s totally awesome and wonderful that your cat is there for you as your best friend. Please give her a cuddle from Canada for me. I’ll pet my big tabby cat Lily in honour of your cat as I think of you both and send you supportive thoughts. 

Please keep posting on here, anytime you need us! I recently joined this site and it feels so good to have such supportive community.

Elizabeth

It’s more so the ASD that affects me and my IBS. Life is just an uphill battle everyday and i have to live with this forever and it seems unfair that people get normal brains meanwhile i’m stuck with this brain that doesn’t understand things and has meltdowns and is overly obsessed with harry potter and stranger things. 

I can’t even comprehend the fact i am 26 because in my head i am not. 

My cat is literally my best friend. She means the world to me and i can easily understand my feelings towards her and i can actually differentiate between feelings when it comes to her. 

Im just feeling beat down, and exhausted at this everyday battle. 

how are you now ?

Keep talking to your cat.  It will keep you sane and it's better than talking to yourself.

I always found it easier to talk to my cat than to people and other family members.  Mainly because the cat was much more pleasant and civilized.  And understood my mood.

Also, does anyone have closer attachment to animals than people. I have a cat and I find it so easy to explain to my cat how i feel about her which is thing but love but i find it hard explaining anything to my girlfriend. I see in pictures. I think in pictures so i have to translate everything before saying it.