Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello
I am Matthew.
I was given a diagnosis of High Functioning Autism 7 years ago.
Having already been given a diagnosis of Bipolar Affective Disorder when a teenager, I was loathe to accept and add another label to get my head around.
It has only been in the last two years that I have felt the need to explore the Autism thing.
In the last couple of years I was prescribed a medication that really helps me feel psychologically well.
I now begin to question why I prefer not to go out and try to make new friends.
Before I would say it was paranoia or even psychosis i.e. 'hearing voices'.
So I realise now that it must be the Autism affecting my social anxiety.
How do I best educate myself in 'taking risks' and 'letting go' of social anxiety?
In addition to posting my own comments, I hope to be educated by other community members' experiences
Hello newbie19,
Welcome and thank you for sharing your story with the community - I hope you feel well supported here.
You may find the following information useful around anxiety in adults with autism, which may help to explain some of the feelings you're experiencing:
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/mental-health/anxiety/autistic-adults
If you were interested in counselling (NHS & private), you may like to have a look on the Autism Services Directory: http://www.autism.org.uk/directory under 'Health' & 'Counsellors'
If there are no counsellors in your area on the directory, you may like to try the links suggested at end of this web page:
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/strategies-and-interventions/strategies-and-interventions/counselling#H2_6
All the best,
ChloeMod