Published on 12, July, 2020
I am yet to be diagnosed and really struggling with all the faux pas I've probably committed over the years. I have extreme social anxiety, but when actually committed to a conversation I open up far too much and living in a small community its just making me not want to go out at all.
I've tried masking for years but truth is I just don't have the energy to mask or keep friendships going. I'm panicking a lot and feel at odds with the world. I feel too much! I feel like a fraud as I have no diagnosis, I feel like I will lose the plot if I'm diagnosed and be even worse if I remain undiagnosed. I am sick of hearing were all on the spectrum it just doesn't help me at all I don't understand the world or the people in it and want to hide away or be mute.
I don't have any answers no one takes me seriously so I don't feel like I can talk about it.
I struggled pre diagnosis too. It took a lot of stubborn effort and depression to get referred for assessment. I am over 60.
Since being diagnosed this year I have been feeling a lot more empowered to help myself. I learn a lot just on this forum, so stick around. I have bought a specific book recommended by another person here, and quite honestly I feel positive that I can accept myself as whoever I am and work on behaviour/depression. We all find different ways of coping, but I found having a formal diagnosis both settled my mind and stopped other people saying “Oh no you’re not!”
Thanks for your reply! Yes I just want to be taken seriously and understand my issues and I think a diagnosis would help me in that area. I just have to stop thinking of the past I think thank you for reaching out to me x