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Diagnosed last year Age 24

Autistic Tiger

I was diagnosed back in October of last year and since then I've just been a mess mentally, (worsening depression, anxiety, and self-hate). Before I was diagnosed, I was under the impression that I was struggling with just both anxiety and depression for most of my life and that these difficulties I've been having could be fixed. Now, however, I've been having difficulty coming to terms that I'm autistic, that the difficulties won't go away, and that I will have to find a way to work with them. I don't know how to accept myself.

  • I'm sorry you feel like this. I'm still struggling with self-acceptance two years after diagnosis, although it is slowly getting easier. Obviously your autism won't go away, but it is still possible for depression, anxiety and low self-esteem to improve in autistics; the fact that you are going to be autistic forever doesn't automatically mean that you will always suffer poor mental health as a result. I think acceptance can improve over time.

    Is therapy of some kind an option? It might help you to process your thoughts and feelings faster or more easily.

  • in reply to Autistic Tiger

    It’s a common consideration that diagnosis has two affective steps to it: The first is elation that a window has opened; the second is to find out that the resources aren’t there.

    ‘GeniusWithin’ is a good charity for helping you find your way through the ‘mire’ that is Autism on-the-ground. Though you’ve got to be quick, the space fill up quick for counselling, at the start of the month..:)

    ‘Free Courses England’ have courses, you guessed it, for free. Level 2 Understanding Autism, is the name of the course, when you enrol they find a sponsor as a final step.

  • in reply to D

    It has answered some lingering questions about myself but it has somewhat given me more. Hopefully, I will come to terms with the diagnosis. 

  • in reply to DeSpereaux

    To be honest, I don't know where to look (I'll look into that understanding autism course). I feel like I was thrown into the deep end when I got diagnosed.

    I don't know why I'm depressed, I thought the diagnosis would have helped me come closer to finding the cause. I feel like my depression is caused by multiple different factors. 

  • Have you considered using Autism Resources in your area? Or have you found that you depression is a result of a lack of community resources?

    Because I found that there was a catastrophic lack of resources in my area, so I signed up for an ’Understanding Autism’ course with free courses England. My take on the situation was that, I wasn’t going to let despair reclaim me because the community is ailing, if I cannot go under or through then I’ll go over..!Slight smile

  • Hi. I was diagnosed at 28 and went through similar emotions. It is really tough to come to terms with. I can’t say you won’t have difficulties, but I can say that knowing the source of the issue can really help manage it and make it better. Knowing and identifying how you struggle in relation to ASD can help you make adjustments to your life to lower that anxiety and depression.

    If you can afford it, I would recommend counselling with someone who specialises in autism. And people here will always listen and support!

    Hope you feel better.