Published on 12, July, 2020
Back before I was diagnosed with, or even thought about, having Autism I was struggling with my mental health. I looked at PTSD and Complex PTSD, both of which came out as a negative result. After meeting with a consultant psychiatrist he advised that I need assistance dealing with trauma which started in childhood and continued in various forms throughout my adult life. He suggested, and referred me for Intensive CBT.
Forward on 18 months or so and I have been diagnosed with Autism and realise that a lot of my issues and behaviours could be attributed to my then undiagnosed Autism. Three weeks ago I have now started the Intensive CBT for GAD (General Anxiety Disorder) and am struggling to believe it will help me. The therapist has explained that my anxieties with fit into two categories which are 'Real' and 'Hypothetical'. She then went on to say that regarding the Hypothetical anxieties I need to just "forget about them and move on" and that she can only help with the "real stuff".
I am not an expert in Autism but I'm pretty sure that's like asking me not to breath, eat or drink. I need help dealing with things when my brain is flooded with hypothetical anxiety, as this is what leads onto the meltdowns and socially unacceptable behaviour.
Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions. I have done some online searching and it appears the ABA may help but it seems more aimed at people with learning disabilities, which I don't have.
Thanks
CBT doesn't always suit autistic people, so I'm not surprised to hear that you're struggling to see how it will benefit you. I had the same experience with CBT (for anxiety and depression) before I was diagnosed. The therapist and I agreed, part way through, that it wasn't going to help me, due to my then-probable neurodivergent traits and wiring.
In respect of finding a more suitable form of therapy - coupled with a therapist who understands autism - you might find the following book helpful, as I and several others here have done:
The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy
"In this candid, witty and insightful exploration into therapy, Steph Jones uses her professional and lived experiences as a late diagnosed autistic woman and therapist, as well as consulting therapists from across the world and tapping into the autistic community, to create the ultimate autistic survival guide to therapy.
Steph confronts the statistics, inadequate practices and ableist therapists head on and poses the questions of how we can make therapy neurodivergence-affirming and how to create safe spaces for autistic individuals. With strategic and practical advice to help recognise the 'red flags' of a dodgy therapist and provide a clear roadmap to finding your confidence and setting the appropriate boundaries with a new therapist, Steph has every question answered."