Published on 12, July, 2020
I could do with some advice please. I have recently been diagnosed, I'm 43. Since my diagnosis I have told virtually no one. I didn't have friends anyway but now find myself reluctant to even to talk to anyone at all, even just a conversation. How do I get myself out of this, I am feeling isolated, lonely and have realised that I actually don't have any friends at all I am scared if people know my diagnosis they will just be polite and 'friendly' because of it. I know a couple of people have done that to other autistic people I'm aware of. Sorry for the long post.
Hello, thank you for sharing your post. I can understand how you feel, especially the bit about people being "friendly" just because they know. I am always afraid of this. I want to be treated the same as everyone else, not as a charity case so I identify with how you feel.
Hanging around here, making some posts and commenting on some conversations. Thats how I made friends on here and found somewhere I felt finally at home. Also it might be worth checking if there are any autism support groups in your area, I found one near me and I go once a month, it really helps
As far as NT people go, not everyone will understand but I can honestly say that more often than not I have been surprised at the positivity people have shown towards me and more often than not it has not changed how they treated me.
There is always hope