I have been struggling with depression and anxiety for a number of years now, I'm 25, and have been through counselling and medication which haven't helped much. I have also suspected for a number of years that I am on the autistic spectrum but I feel like I'm making this up to cover for my mental health problems. I associate with most autistic traits and with a lot of people's own stories on this site. For years now I have tried to forget about it and tried to just get on with my life and get better but coming out of lockdown and starting to see my friends again has been incredibly challenging.
Me and my Councillor had spoken about the possibility that I am autistic but I didn't get on with him as he was really impatient with me when I struggled to communicate with him. I called my doctor as well to ask about a diagnosis but was basically told I was talking rubbish. This makes it really hard to reach now when I'm struggling the most.
It's not that I'm just looking to be diagnosed for the sake of it, even though my anxiety makes me feel like this. My friends want to help me get better and I think that if I was able to approach the subject with them or my mum then they would be able to understand how I feel and why I do the things I do. For example, a few of us were up late to watch wrestling and I just sat queit the full night because I felt so disconnected and had to go downstairs to sit by myself for a while.
How has anyone else approached the subject with a friend or family member, or would it be easier to not say anything and either try with my doctor again or just try to cope with it somehow?
I'm sorry if this doesn't make much sense but I'm not really making much sense in my head either.