I haven’t been diagnosed but I’ve been referred by my GP. I’m at a loss on how to survive. I feel alone and broken. I don’t know where to start from…
I haven’t been diagnosed but I’ve been referred by my GP. I’m at a loss on how to survive. I feel alone and broken. I don’t know where to start from…
I haven’t been diagnosed but I’ve been referred by my GP. I’m at a loss on how to survive.
It helps to realise that you were the same person before the referral - nothing has changed.
If you think you are autists then you can take some tests online (just search for "free online autism test") and the questions are quite close to what the assessment will ask, so the results will give you a good idea if you really are autistic.
You can also take some time to inform yourself about autism - I found a good book to pick up the basics without having to read a tome about it was:
Autism For Dummies (2025) - ISBN 9781394301003 (paberback); ISBN 9781394301027 (ebook)
With the tests you took and the following list of autistic traits (see https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/before-diagnosis/signs-that-a-child-or-adult-may-be-autistic ) you can start researching the things that impact your life.
Once you know a bit more you can use this commity to look for how other people deal with similar issues, join in, ask questions and interact at your own pace in anonymity - very low stress.
Then, if funds allow, I would recommend getting a psychotherapist (find one with a track record of helping autists) and they can help you navigate your issues, help you understand your experiences and help you process the traumas that all autists have.
If you want a roadmap - that is what I would recommend.
We are here for you when you want to talk.
I haven’t been diagnosed but I’ve been referred by my GP. I’m at a loss on how to survive.
It helps to realise that you were the same person before the referral - nothing has changed.
If you think you are autists then you can take some tests online (just search for "free online autism test") and the questions are quite close to what the assessment will ask, so the results will give you a good idea if you really are autistic.
You can also take some time to inform yourself about autism - I found a good book to pick up the basics without having to read a tome about it was:
Autism For Dummies (2025) - ISBN 9781394301003 (paberback); ISBN 9781394301027 (ebook)
With the tests you took and the following list of autistic traits (see https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/before-diagnosis/signs-that-a-child-or-adult-may-be-autistic ) you can start researching the things that impact your life.
Once you know a bit more you can use this commity to look for how other people deal with similar issues, join in, ask questions and interact at your own pace in anonymity - very low stress.
Then, if funds allow, I would recommend getting a psychotherapist (find one with a track record of helping autists) and they can help you navigate your issues, help you understand your experiences and help you process the traumas that all autists have.
If you want a roadmap - that is what I would recommend.
We are here for you when you want to talk.
Thank you so much! I’ll take the test. I’ve also taken several tests and I definitely have the traits. I’ve also read up all the links you posted previously. My GP also provided links to an autism hub I joined and it’s been helpful. For years I was treated for depression and was just going through the motions but now that I know my limits and some coping strategies I have lesser breakdowns… I’m enjoying life more especially now that I know that I’m very sensitive to sound and light… but unfortunately information isn’t magic and I’m still having difficulties. In fact, things seem worse but also better and those strategies don’t always work…
My downward spiral yesterday started as a result of a surprise visit from my sister and her family. This is supposed to be good right? Your loving sister surprised you and even brought you gifts, but it was the worst thing that could have happened to me. Everything just became like I was in the middle of a tornado with no way to calm down. It was too much. Too much emotions, too much activity, too much noise and I’m still trying to recover a day after…
Now I can control my environment and my actions but I very well can’t control surprises right? And there’ll always be surprises in life. I had to go to the bathroom for a few good minutes to cry and just be in the dark with my ear plugs. It was awful and I’m still trying to calm down… I’ve been in bed all day.
So please how do you cope with surprises?
