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Newly diagnosed, people dropping away

Chloe1980

Has anyone else found since diagnosis that people dropping away as you start to unmask? I’m actually thinking that the only person I’ll be left with is my 9 year old daughter and one or two friends. It’s shocking me to realise how many layers of masking there is and I keep peeling away more and more and of people don’t completely drop away then they go quiet, family, friends , acquaintances, in a way sometimes it’s a relief but it’s also lonely and scary but now I’m unmasking I can’t revert back as I now thats all fake and so meaningless. I’m questioning everything, all the weight I’ve carried all these years and all I wnat to do is protect my daughter as I’m pretty sure she is autistic too, she’s on the waiting list for assessment. Maybe she’s all I need, maybe it’s okay to be alone at least for now, maybe to speak your truth finds your true people , maybe what you think is family are strangers. It’s a very strange time.

Parents
  • Chloe1980 said:
    Has anyone else found since diagnosis that people dropping away as you start to unmask?

    If you broadcast the fact you are autistic then I found many people will exhibit that they have a stigma of any mental health issue and basically treat you like a leper - they lack the understanding of it and probably fear it so just fade away.

    I've recently found that many of my family are autistic and they all keep very quiet about it due to the adverse response from others.

    I found it much easier to partially mask when socialising to make others feel at ease around me. The changes I've made to my life allow me a lot more energy and I can comfortably mask for modest periods of time so it is no real issue for me, plus allows me to enjoy some aspects of socialising.

    In essence the world isn't ready for us in our natural state so you can consider this if you want to maintain normal interactions with it or be your true self and struggle to find those who will accept you.

Reply
  • Chloe1980 said:
    Has anyone else found since diagnosis that people dropping away as you start to unmask?

    If you broadcast the fact you are autistic then I found many people will exhibit that they have a stigma of any mental health issue and basically treat you like a leper - they lack the understanding of it and probably fear it so just fade away.

    I've recently found that many of my family are autistic and they all keep very quiet about it due to the adverse response from others.

    I found it much easier to partially mask when socialising to make others feel at ease around me. The changes I've made to my life allow me a lot more energy and I can comfortably mask for modest periods of time so it is no real issue for me, plus allows me to enjoy some aspects of socialising.

    In essence the world isn't ready for us in our natural state so you can consider this if you want to maintain normal interactions with it or be your true self and struggle to find those who will accept you.

Children
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