After diagnosis, what’s next?

Totally agree with you there. I’ll be honest this is where my plushies come in to help me. But I am struggling with severe guilt over what makes me happy. I think I did a post about it but I can’t seem to move on hmm  

I reckon most people just need hug therapy.

Just someone to hold you and say it's ok.

When I got diagnosed I was of course first advised about this site so I joined. As for therapy I’ve been told I could be doing therapy for rest of my life and also need particular meds. The problem is with the nhs you only get so many sessions so if you need continuous therapy the only option is to go private. Unfortunately everyone I e seen has dropped me and I feel my current emdr therapist is gonna do the same despite now being diagnosed with CPTSD and possible personality disorders 

Unfortunately I think neurodiverse or neurotypical, mental health isn't a priority for the NHS. Though we're very lucky to have such a health service and they do an amazing job in many respects, some areas don't get captured and/ or funded as well. 

My (private) report says I should have some therapy to come to terms with the diagnosis.

It also recommends some therapy for my emotional issues since I bond to the therapists and feel abandoned when they stop. I struggled to walk away from the assessment sessions.

I'm on my own not because I don't need someone, but because I need someone too much. I assumed I was just too romantic but it seems to be childhood issues.

Anyhow this would all need to be private I think. I can't see the NHS helping.

My GP offered to look at my report.

There wasn't any support after diagnosis. I could've done with some though as I didn't come to the realisation myself that I had it like many others I've read about on here. It was suggested that I should be assessed by a mental health practitioner who assessed me for anxiety issues. I didn't really know anything about autism. I had the assessment, I was diagnosed and that was it. I was very unsettled/ scared and upset initially because I didn't really understand anything about it (and noone explained what it meant). I decided to pay for private therapy because I tried through the NHS and the lady said she didn't have much experience with neurodiversity. Though expensive, private therapy has been invaluable for me. 

I too was diagnosed with Autism last month. Also, I received some Post Diagnostic Support Sessions to discuss and understand some Aspects of my Autism Diagnosis better.

I will be sent some information and contact details of other services that provide support for Autism in the next couple of weeks.

Sorry to hear that but it’s a common story for most of us sadly as an adult. 
I am starting to learn that I need to find my own support weather that is through therapy, surrounding myself with my own kind or even looking into a meet up place with like minded people who just want to be heard. 

I have received no support since diagnosis

The Autistic Author Pete Wharmby helpfully listed "10 things you need to figure out after an autism diagnosis...":

www.facebook.com/.../

MrBlueFox said:

phone call of dooooooooom

Isn't every phone call a "phone call of dooooooooom"? I feel your pain.

I'm in the exact same position. There is little to no help available unless the private route is available to you. NHS waiting lists vary depending which area you are in. I also have difficulty with the 8.30 phone call of dooooooooom.

I didn't, except to join here and read Chris Packham. That was quite a few years ago. Unless you are lucky to be able to pay for private counselling and lucky to find a neurodivergent counsellor you click with....and/or  other like-minded/knowledgeable people to discuss with....Maybe I've been incredibly fortunate - but it is possible. Having said that - there are some aspects on the more "practical" side rather than "communication" side - like executive functioning difficulties - whereby I cannot see how anyone or anything could help.

Find blogs, videos, articles that resonate with you. Like most autists diagnosed in adulthood - you have to more than likely work it out for yourself. It's always work in progress but you may come to understand yourself far more than someone who hasn't been through all this. How cool is that! 

Peace out.

I had been taking part on here around 2 years before my assessment and as I understood it there is little or no help after late diagnosis. 
Because of that I started therapy roughly 7-8 months ago and now attend on a casual basis. 
The sessions I mention are private and not through the NHS, I tried to apply after my gp put me on antidepressants and offered the talking therapy at the same time. I had a screening appointment for the therapy but no one ever got in touch or even let me know if I was unsuccessful. 

Other than the recommendations mentioned in my report and some relationship advice thrown in for good measure that is probably the extent of it. 

None at all Roy. In Scotland at least, it seems what services there are, are focussed entirely on the young. Adults are just written off.

Thank you for your reply, I’m going to make an appointment to see my GP, Bunny kindly recommended a good book, I’ve just listened to the preview as an audiobook and added it to my library.

I used to be able to book GP appointments on the app, this function has now been removed, it’s back to the 8.30am lottery of phoning, I’m going to see if a reasonable adjustment can be put in place, telephones are my old foe. Don’t really want to explain to a receptionist why I need an appointment, someone else then triages it and decides wether I need an appointment.

The place that diagnosed me has a long waiting list for counselling, I’m moving out of the area hopefully by Christmas so they felt it wasn’t worth me joining the waiting list. I can’t afford private counselling, I think I will see what the GP can recommend.

I had 12 sessions of therapy via my health insurance, but now self referred to NHS talking therapies, due to start next month, I think about a 4-5 month wait from requesting to my appointment, but that may differ.  Not sure how it will be as had the feeling during the screening phone call - whether I wanted to have their therapy, when I asked if it was suited to autistics, so will find out soon enough

The autism clinic where I was diagnosed last December, arranged several follow up appointments to discuss issues that came up, and to go over the challenges and strengths listed in the medical report. I found that very helpful as I had time to process things between appointments. I was referred on to NHS Autism Services for a series of follow up appointments to assess my needs, but I am still on the year long waiting list for that. I was also referred onto two organisations that can help me with some of my executive functioning difficulties, but I am procrastinating and yet to manage to make contact.

The clinic also gave me a handout that included a list of recommended books, websites, TV programmes, podcasts and YouTube channels.

My GP received a copy of my medical report but he hasn’t suggested anything, but perhaps he wouldn’t unless I mention it. 

I think I have been fortunate receiving any of this, as your story Roy sadly, is all too common on this forum.

I wonder if it might help to contact the place where you received the diagnosis and ask for more information on what might be available to help you move forward. If they can’t offer anything other than to put you on a waiting list for counselling, the only thing I can suggest is to make an appointment with your GP or look at online resources.

Thanks for the update.