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Christmas is a struggle

NAS83894

Hello

I have not been diagnosed with autism, but have always felt I don't fit in and am wondering now in later life if it is worth or even possible to try and get a formal diagnosis?  What are your experiences please?  I am a scientist who has no real friendships outside of work and I find it difficult to feel part of any groups and my own family.  I am OK with one on one relationships, but I always need a time limit/exit strategy, so am wondering if this is a recognised sign?  I find Christmas hard every year since I hate family gatherings and know that I will probably upset someone at some point.  I suppose I was hoping that a formal diagnosis might make it easier to explain to people why I don't want to participate - but is that just me looking for excuses?  Is there a reliable way I could self-assess before considering whether to waste anyone's time?

Thank you for listening.

K

Parents

  • Thank you all so so much for your warm and helpful replies! I didn't think anyone would respond, but so many of you have been so thoughtful and so generous with your time. I will read through everything you have all said, make some notes and have a good think. It does sound like there might be some reliable self diagnostic tools that I could look into and perhaps then I would feel more confident about finding some coping strategies - especially at this time of year. I have found over the last 25 years that my family probably feel hurt by my responses to situations and so I do need to learn a way to deal with this. A diagnosis or a set of tools for behaving in social situations might be useful! Thank you all so so much and I hope you get through the oncoming weeks successfully.

    K

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  • Thank you all so so much for your warm and helpful replies! I didn't think anyone would respond, but so many of you have been so thoughtful and so generous with your time. I will read through everything you have all said, make some notes and have a good think. It does sound like there might be some reliable self diagnostic tools that I could look into and perhaps then I would feel more confident about finding some coping strategies - especially at this time of year. I have found over the last 25 years that my family probably feel hurt by my responses to situations and so I do need to learn a way to deal with this. A diagnosis or a set of tools for behaving in social situations might be useful! Thank you all so so much and I hope you get through the oncoming weeks successfully.

    K

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