Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi I'm Joe I'm a 21 year old guy who discovered the other day that I'm autistic I genuinely had no idea. Ive always struggled fitting in always watched from a far never quite felt like I belong. I struggle socially and every friendship and meaningful relationship Ive had seems to collapse. its given me social and anxiety and depression. I'm shocked despite me having dyslexia and dyspraxia nobody has picked up on it. i came on here maybe to find people who have experienced similar. maybe you feel scared angry happy relived? kind of how I feel rn. idk what will happen rn barely anyone knows im scared to share with the world. scared of the label the judgement. scared of losing the people around me due to being different.
TBH my family have been very supportive but it hasn't helped my loneliness and im finding it hard to make relationships and form genuine connections.
It's impossible to tell everyone. But among those you will tell there will be few who won't take it well, and then just ghost them if possible.
My family still doesn't want to even acknowledge it, but since they never helped me in anything I don't need them.
what's the difference in label between weirdo and autistic? it comes from the same kind of people who are ableist and racist best to be avoided.
That's true i think the hard part is people have treated me so badly without the label so how will they treat me with it and even if i do have it and they are nice it still wont make it right. I'm also scared of revealing it to others.
Welcome
Good thing is, being autistic explains all complications and miscommunication issues you had in a past, and you no longer have to take on faith what people tells you, even if it doesn't feel right, because now you know it's not right for you even if it's right for them
Welcome. Whatever you are feeling is valid and it will take time for you to mentally process your diagnosis.
There is a useful article here, showing some common reactions to a diagnosis https://aucademy.co.uk/2022/01/20/six-common-reactions-during-autistic-discovery/. You may experience some or all of the stages in no particular order. You may alternate between them.
You may want to take your time in telling people, there is no rush. If you tell too many people too quickly you are putting additional pressure on yourself, having to try and process their reactions as well as your own.
How cause I'm finding it confusing rn
thank you ill give that a go thankyou
For me its lead to a huge identity crisis and i no longer know whats acceptable from me as an individual
Try looking around this site: https://embrace-autism.com/
It highlights some positive aspects of being autistic.