• Replies 9 replies
  • Subscribers 85 subscribers
  • Views 206 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
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

Opening up about autism at work

Squid

Hi everyone 

I'm new here. I'm currently off work for a couple of months due to general mental health issues. Part of this is that I'm just starting to work through that I'm likely autistic. I've been referred for an assessment by my GP (which will take months to begin) but I know myself really well and I think it's extremely likely that the assessment will say I'm autistic. I've felt that I might be for years but have never built up the strength to do anything about it.

I work in a job/role that really isn't that compatible to my autistic traits but I've masked so long and so well that no one would really know how deeply uncomfortable and distressing it is to me on a day to day basis. This period off work feels like the culmination of me trying to cope for years and years and finally getting to my limit.

I'm really keen that this is a turning point for me where I'm really open with my work about things because this feels like a huge opportunity for me to change my life for the better by finally just being open and honest. But this is also terrifying me and I keep getting stuck on the "but they "know" me as this person so how can I then be like, actually that isn't really me, I've just been incredibly good at masking for a long time" thought pattern.

I'd love to hear anyone's experience of this kind of thing or tips on how to approach it cos at the moment I'm trying to make my way through it without a clue what I'm doing or what I could do.

Thank you Heart️ 

Parents

  • You will probably find that you don't need to change very much. What changes is your attitude. You can be calmer because you understand what is happening. You know why you're anxious, nervous, struggling, etc. And why you might need to step away for a few minutes if things get a bit much.

    You can put less pressure on yourself to perform, which can mean you do just as much once you get used to it but it feels easier.

    You can also feel more comfortable allowing yourself time to relax in the evenings or whenever. It's not laziness.

    This means others will still see the 'you' they now, just a slightly calmer less stressed version. You may feel different but not look as different as you think.

Reply

  • You will probably find that you don't need to change very much. What changes is your attitude. You can be calmer because you understand what is happening. You know why you're anxious, nervous, struggling, etc. And why you might need to step away for a few minutes if things get a bit much.

    You can put less pressure on yourself to perform, which can mean you do just as much once you get used to it but it feels easier.

    You can also feel more comfortable allowing yourself time to relax in the evenings or whenever. It's not laziness.

    This means others will still see the 'you' they now, just a slightly calmer less stressed version. You may feel different but not look as different as you think.

Children
No Data