Not sure how to move forward post diagnosis.

I'm so sorry to hear how you're feeling.

I remember having replied to you after your diagnosis, and sharing some resources - including the one about how we can feel afterwards. That might be worth another read now, as it does include some insights from other autistic people, along with links to read more. So I'll just share them again here, for ease of reference:

NAS - How you might feel after a diagnosis

NAS - Other advice covering post-diagnosis including:

• Formal support following an autism diagnosis
• What can I do if formal support is not offered or is not enough

If you haven't yet been offered it, have you looked into taking therapy, which could help you to process your feelings? I found that service very helpful, and chose counselling to help me with that process, rather than therapy.

Either way, given how you're feeling I suggest asking your GP for advice and support. These articles contain some information that might be helpful in that context:

NAS - Autistic fatigue and burnout

NAS - Depression  

I hope that something here is helpful, and that you feel more positive soon.

Thank you for reposting these helpful resources. I have been looking at them and working my way through my thoughts.

Unfortunately, 2 weeks after my autism diagnosis I also recieved some upsetting news around a medical diagnosis of something physical that I'll have to live with now.  It could have been dealt with had I been listened to 20 years ago, but is now too advanced to be cured. I think that's adding to the numbness and overwhelm and has meant I've struggled to process my autism diagnosis and take in any resources as I've been feeling a bit of information overload when it comes to medical stuff. I appreciate you replying again and reminding me of the resources available as I'm struggling to find my way through. 

I've had one post diagnosis meeting with my assessor and have another one next week. I was a little too overwhelmed to make best use of the first one so I'm hoping I'll cope better with the next one to be able to ask more and share more of my thoughts. 

I've done a lot of therapy in the past and feel it caused me some harm by not seeing my autism. That's something I'm trying to figure out if I can work past to ask for more talking therapies. I know this sounds really negative but I'm reluctant to trust another counsellor due to past experience when I was told the potential of me being autistic ( something I raised rather than they suggested) wasn't relevant in counselling. 

Dear Ellie1984,

I can see you have already had a really great reply from Bunny (thank you Bunny!)

I am sorry that you are going through such a difficult time and it is really good that you have reached out to the community. We are here for you and hope being part of this space helps you feel a little better. 

I can understand why reading resources may be really difficult for you at the moment. It can feel like a lot of information when you are going through overload. I thought I would share one resource that doesn't require to much reading. It is the Autism Services Directory - I thought this may be useful as you could find autism specific services if you wanted to consider therapeutic, social or activities in your area. 

Take care,

Olivia Mod

Dear Ellie1984,

I can see you have already had a really great reply from Bunny (thank you Bunny!)

I am sorry that you are going through such a difficult time and it is really good that you have reached out to the community. We are here for you and hope being part of this space helps you feel a little better. 

I can understand why reading resources may be really difficult for you at the moment. It can feel like a lot of information when you are going through overload. I thought I would share one resource that doesn't require to much reading. It is the Autism Services Directory - I thought this may be useful as you could find autism specific services if you wanted to consider therapeutic, social or activities in your area. 

Take care,

Olivia Mod

Thank you. Im always grateful for any response and support. I've chosen not to disclose my autism to anyone yet so I'm doing this alone which is why this community is so helpful to me right now.