Autism and health anxiety as I get older

Yep, had this too Lonehare12 

Appear to be emerging from it myself - touch wood...

I concluded it partly down to just the sustained volume of experiences relating to ill health - that of others and accumulation of experiences myself, the social expectation of older people that they get more of this (Ok figures show that the bulk of NHS spending does go on older people).  I also have to get used to my bodies ability to shrug off things like infection quickly is not as good as it used to be.  Aches and pains take a little more attention for causative analysis and resolution.

So it's a bit like trying not to look at someone's nose when they tell you not to.

Also, because I was (and can still be sometimes) almost at the point of giving up and felt like I had no reason to be around tha was worth all the grief I was experiencing.  I have actually actively looked for illnesses that could come along that would facilitate that for me in a socially acceptable way.

However, just last week when an NHS e-message asked me whether I still wanted the appointment I had been waiting for for 2 years - I reflected, thought, well actually, the same symptoms of renal pain from the stones I know are still there haven't recurred for 2 years and thought... No I don't need it - maybe a gamble but one I can live with and maybe that frees up resources for someone who can't.

I can't really explain with any certainty this situation in me.

However there are some of my personal circumstances worth mentioning:

I reckon that I am actually properly getting out of burnout.

I have been away from a lot of the chronic stressors that put me there to start with for long enough for me to recover.

I have accepted my vulnerabilities and those of others better.

I have used physical exercises that have helped change my posture and bearing so that I carry myself in an outwardly more confident way.

I have done a lot of the mental heavy lifting to be able to see things from a healthier perspective.

To do this I searched out and embraced support.

Crucially I reconnected to the values that closer reflect who I am and want to be.

Maybe there's something in this that can be answer for you too :-)

All the best.

Thank you for sharing this so honestly.

A lot of what you wrote really resonated with me, especially what you said about accumulated experiences, burnout, and gradually reconnecting with yourself and your values.

I appreciate the thought and care you put into this  it’s given me a lot to reflect on.

I am confident that there are many of us experiencing similar situations post diagnosis.  Research numbers are not needed to impress this for people that in this group as I think we all "get one another" about it.

Thank you for your appreciation.  It helps me feel better to engage with others in this fashion - both to help define my own thoughts and experiences and to get a sense of value for helping others. 

Lonehare12 said:

 it’s given me a lot to reflect on.

I am told metaphorically that the way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.  Sorry if it gives you a lot to think about.  I tend to overfill people's dinner plates too, hehe something for me to think about there! :-)

As I have just posted in another response that I expect that I and others shall still be here if you want to discuss it more.

It's a nice sunny day where I live and I'm off to the garden to do some arboreal therapy :-)

I hope the sun is shining where you are at present.

Best Wishes

Thank you

The one bite at a time idea resonates. I’m learning to slow my thinking and not take everything on at once.

I also smiled at the overfilled dinner plate comment, very relatable.

Arboreal therapy sounds lovely…nature often helps my thoughts settle too. 

Thank you

The one bite at a time idea resonates. I’m learning to slow my thinking and not take everything on at once.

I also smiled at the overfilled dinner plate comment, very relatable.

Arboreal therapy sounds lovely…nature often helps my thoughts settle too.