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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

  • I used to try real hard every year ti find the money, and do all the stuff people think of as Christmas. 

    Gradually that has fallen away, and this Christmas apart from a bit of "free gifting"  I have bought and given nothing except the actual message of Christmas.

    I shall also spend it alone with the cats as My exotic O/H is travelling with her brother to East Germany to visit distant rellies, and someone has to feed these little munchers. 

    I declined my daughters usual overnight Christmas eve stay too, as I needed to help load a 1990s Scroocco onto a trailer and she only ever gives me stuff to do and prattles on about herself.

    Having dropped all the usual stressors, I feel unusually peaceful and unstressed.

    All I want for Christmas is an equitable and swift resolution to the Ukraine conflict, along with an out break of general increased human honesty, and love.

Reply

  • I used to try real hard every year ti find the money, and do all the stuff people think of as Christmas. 

    Gradually that has fallen away, and this Christmas apart from a bit of "free gifting"  I have bought and given nothing except the actual message of Christmas.

    I shall also spend it alone with the cats as My exotic O/H is travelling with her brother to East Germany to visit distant rellies, and someone has to feed these little munchers. 

    I declined my daughters usual overnight Christmas eve stay too, as I needed to help load a 1990s Scroocco onto a trailer and she only ever gives me stuff to do and prattles on about herself.

    Having dropped all the usual stressors, I feel unusually peaceful and unstressed.

    All I want for Christmas is an equitable and swift resolution to the Ukraine conflict, along with an out break of general increased human honesty, and love.

Children
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