Introducing Myself

Hi Kit - nice to meet you

I think most autistic people have social anxiety - I do but I am reasonably good at masking it. The isolation of the pandemic has made it worse though and get even more stressed than I used to about social interaction. My youngest son (who is a young adult now) has huge  difficulties with social anxiety and had Selective Mutism in School and now at college (he’s not going into college at all now due to social anxiety and other issues). So we can definitely relate! The pandemic has definitely increased our difficulties with this. We feel so isolated and to be honest i (and my son) feel like failures. We can’t seem to cope with the most normal things and it really damages our self esteem. Getting through each day is difficult at the moment. So it’s good to come on here and realise that we are not alone in struggling like this. So many autistic people feel like this and we can support each other. 

Hi Kit - nice to meet you

I think most autistic people have social anxiety - I do but I am reasonably good at masking it. The isolation of the pandemic has made it worse though and get even more stressed than I used to about social interaction. My youngest son (who is a young adult now) has huge  difficulties with social anxiety and had Selective Mutism in School and now at college (he’s not going into college at all now due to social anxiety and other issues). So we can definitely relate! The pandemic has definitely increased our difficulties with this. We feel so isolated and to be honest i (and my son) feel like failures. We can’t seem to cope with the most normal things and it really damages our self esteem. Getting through each day is difficult at the moment. So it’s good to come on here and realise that we are not alone in struggling like this. So many autistic people feel like this and we can support each other. 

Hi there! I had to drop out of college because the combination of the work, socialising and commuting was too much for me. I sometimes experience “freezing” where I either get overwhelmed by anxiety or have a sensory overload. I become hyper aware of my mind and body and as a result I can’t talk or move.

Hi Kate it's nice to meet you to 

It does seem to be something we all suffer from in one way or another unfortunately. I hate social anxiety, it is really hard to live with as people and interacting with them is a huge part of every day life. I try not to as seeing people and interacting is a huge trigger. I suffer from other anxiety as well but social anxiety is my main problem. It sounds like you and your son also find it really hard to cope with. I'm so sorry, I know how hard it is to live with. Since the pandemic I've felt very isolated as well, mental health services are more withdrawn now as well feel like they don't care and abandoned me. Hey Kate don't be hard on yourself and tell your son the same. You're not failures at all! You have a lot to cope with, Autism, anxiety and the world is not an easy part to be a part of. Remember that you got through yesterday and that you will get through today as well! You got this Kate, both of you. I'm glad you found this place and feel able to come here when you need support, it's also a good place to be just to relax and chill. I come here a lot as well at the moment. It's nice to be with you all. 

Take care Kate, hope you and your son have a great day