Recent diagnosis and depression

My 22yrd old daughter just been diagnosed with ASC with possible ADHD. She is very depressed and if she is not working she just stays in bed. She works in a cinema so works late shifts. She won't get out of bed to eat before work and then just eats junk food after work. She had a meltdown because she is gaining weight but when I suggest getting up to cook something healthy before work she just says she doesn't have the energy. I offered to cook extra in the evening so she could reheat it the next day but she said she doesn't like reheated food. She has an answer for everything. 

I am struggling to help her as she will not accept my help. Is this an autistic thing or is it the depression? She sobs on my shoulder and I just don't know what to do.

Her room is disgusting and I offered to clean/tidy it for her but she refuses to let me. Her personal hygiene is poor and its hard to get her to shower once a week. (this has always been a battle) 

I just want her to be happy....... Help!

P.s. Her Dr prescribed her Sertraline today after an email exchange

Parents
  • There is actually quite a lot here, so apologies for answering in bits. I'm still awaiting an ASD diagnosis,  but I do have ADHD as well as Depression and Anxiety so I think I may be able to offer you some of what I've learned for my own needs. Firstly, I think your daughter will continue to push you away if you keep making suggestions to her. It's difficult to explain why, but I always hated when people made suggestions like 'make some time and cook a healthy meal'. It's a very simple solution and it sounds easy and obvious, but Depression makes you feel like gravity is just pulling you down. Everything feels like an effort and it's incredibly frustrating because you know in yourself that you should be able to just get on and do it, which makes it even worse. On top of that, issues with executive function make it difficult to plan, so it becomes incredibly overwhelming and you end up giving up and reaching for a quick and easy solution just to get by, like junkfood.  I always found that the best way was little goals. If she would rather not reheat a meal, but doesn't have energy, how about going at it sideways. Say you are preparing a meal, something simple like a stir-fry. Would she like you to chop up some extra food so she just needs to throw it in a pan later? Some meals like chili are way better if reheated so perhaps batch cook a chilli and freeze in single portions? There is supposedly a summer out there, so some chopped fruit and veg that can easily be picked up, right at the front of the fridge is always a good option. Does she do anything in bed? Perhaps she can read something or do something with her hands like knitting or sewing? 

    She is probably also feeling very overwhelmed and very much like she doesn't know who she is anymore so it may be good to have chats at her own pace about what she is figuring out about her diagnosis, what makes things easier, what makes them more difficult. Sometimes she won't want to talk at all. She shouldn't feel like she has to. I'm not a very social person as I deal with people all day (I'm a receptionist) so when I'm not working, I need some alone time to recover and regroup.  Personal hygiene is probably something I can't help you with here as I can't stand the feel mess on my skin so have a shower before I leave the house each day,  as well as three times a week to wash my hair. But with my room, I find that again, it's a question of little and often. As well as tackling things from the side rather than head on. 'I'm doing a load of washing, do you have anything to go in? I've got a bag of rubbish, do you want to add to it before I throw it out?' If she has the chance to make the decision for herself, the worst she can do is say no. But it is less likely to put her on the defensive.  It has helped me throughout the years and has made it easier to function.  Having a routine and agreed upon jobs can also help. For example, I live with my folks and my job each week is to hoover. I also wash my own dishes and tidy after myself. My room is my own space but the rest of the house is for everyone. Saturday is hoovering day, I can only do it when my family is out but it sets me up for the rest of my weekend as once completed, I have the satisfaction of knowing the task is complete, as well as a bit of head space that makes me feel like I can finally move onto the next task. Sorry this has become a bit longwinded. I've partially emptied out my brain. Hopefully anything there is useful. If she has an answer for everything as you say, change the nature of the question. Finally, I didn't get on with Sertraline, it made me feel like a zombie. It will hopefully be different for her but drugs she shouldn't feel afraid to ask for something different if she doesn't get the best out of them. Also,  drugs alone are not the answer. Pair it with counselling, meditation (even guided meditation s on YouTube can be excellent) and having physical activity and hobbies. She needs to discover that for herself, but always take the little bit here and there as well as not the direct approach but working from the side. She needs to discover it on her own, and she won't if she feels forced. All the best.

  • Thank you so much for your reply. It is a learning curve for us all and I will try and take it slowly and not tell her what she should try but try to tackle it from the side. The eating issue will continue for a while I think but I will be patient and try to encourage her bit by bit. 

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  • Thank you so much for your reply. It is a learning curve for us all and I will try and take it slowly and not tell her what she should try but try to tackle it from the side. The eating issue will continue for a while I think but I will be patient and try to encourage her bit by bit. 

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