• Replies 4 replies
  • Subscribers 82 subscribers
  • Views 465 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Making friends

SummerBerries

I'm feeling very lonely since my ex partner of 4 years recently broke up with me. I posted more about this on another thread, but he was the only person I unmasked around and now I feel like I'm back in a box. 

I don't even know where to start with making friends but does anyone have any recommendations of online communities I could join? I'm into crochet, gaming, animals, psychology etc. 

Or I live in the South of England if anyone has in-person suggestions of groups? As far as I'm aware there aren't any directly in my area. 

I just deeply miss that connection I had with my ex and it terrifies me that I'm never going to meet anyone who understands me like that again. I would probably get over this feeling of loneliness if I didn't know what I'm now missing. But it's been the 4 best years of my life feeling free and now it's all just gone. 

  • I have the same problem with loneliness and struggling with making new friends i only have a very small network of friends i struggle with communication at time with having autism and it impacts to my loneliness. I see others around me enjoying there lives with there partners and i’m happy for them but i do struggle thinking it would be nice to have that or just to meet a friends to go out abd fo things with Blush

  • Are "friends" even worth the effort?

  • In addition to hopefully enjoying this community and making some connections here, you might also find it helpful, as a starting point, to read the advice in these articles:

    NAS - Loneliness - includes links to examples of some other autistic people's experiences of loneliness and how they cope.

    NAS - Making friends - a guide for autistic adults

    In terms of some more specific, practical suggestions:

    You could ask your GP for a referral to a social prescriber (I've just had my first two appointments, and already have some useful ideas from it). The prescriber's /  link worker's role is to work with you, potentially over several sessions, to develop a personalised care and support plan that meets your practical, social and emotional needs.

    This could include helping you to find local groups, for example. The article below explains more:

    NHS England - Social prescribing

    You might be able to find some socialising opportunities via the the NAS's directory - whether through a local NAS branch, or other types of support group or social programmes:

    NAS - Autism Services Directory

    NAS - Branches

    You might be able to find some local groups that fit with your interests and hobbies by searching on Facebook and/or Google.