• Replies 30 replies
  • Subscribers 75 subscribers
  • Views 2233 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Hi

Tizzle85

Hey everyone. 

I'm Tara, 39 years old from West Midlands.

I've very recently started the referral process for a formal autism diagnosis.

I have suffered with mental health issues most of my life since I was a child. 

I had 2 bouts of post natal depression and was told I had GAD. I've been on numerous types of SSRIs and been for counselling, CBT etc.

The reason I went for the referral was because since I have become perimenopausal, I am finding my symptoms of my thought processes/behaviours etc increasingly unbearable. I suspected initially I might have traits of ADHD but it was the mental health practitioner who said he felt it was more Autism and perhaps ADHD aswell.

This has been a huge shock to me, however, the more I educate myself, the more I am joining the dots and figuring myself out in a new light.

I feel somewhat distressed that my life up until this point could have been much different.

However I'm trying to be positive about it and reach out to others, not necessarily for validation but to make some new friends and to listen to other people's experiences too.

Parents

  • Hey Tizzle85, welcome. 

    I think you will likely find on this forum: that your words will be heard, your experience will resonate with many others here, and you will become more likely to be able to feel comfortable to say what you mean / experience (rather than having to explain, justify, tone down, or translate things - in the way many of us may find necessary to do so in the real World).  It is still worth remembering though, this is effectively a public space (that is where our Online Community rules are important - in support of our safeguarding).

    (Differences of experiences, interests, opinions, or miscommunications; can still arise, as we are each still an individual ...with our varied outlook and lived experience).

    I once read somewhere, (I should have bookmarked it, as I cannot recall where it was written), that some Autistic women can report things like: "menopause broke my masking ability".  I guess that is not so surprising; when we consider what a transition point that impact of menopause can be for some women.  It is another biological stage of a woman's life (stigma really should not apply).  Ditto, when we are supporting everyone's wellbeing and mental health.

    In some topics, still, there are aspects of understanding Autism which can seem to require further research, communication and advocacy or lobbying.  I believe assessment of the appropriate Autism-friendly adjustments to clinical psychology techniques and environment (continuous improvement should be included in that quest.

    I feel that when our Community combines our respective positive efforts, we can be a force for beneficial change accordingly.

  • in reply to DormouseAtRest_25

    Hey there Wave  thank you for your message.

    I know exactly what you mean about having to 'explain, translate, tone things down'. It's been an issue I've had since as long as I can remember. 

    I've always been very blunt and straight to the point. It comes across as me not caring, when in actual fact, I'm a very caring and compassionate person. I feel that I absorb people's emotions and take them on as my own, which is super draining. 

    But yeah, on the flip side, I can be very blunt which is so conflicting to my actual sensitive nature. 

    My main take on all of this is that I feel that I am at constant conflict within my brain. I'm not sure if that resonates or makes sense? 

    • I will make sure you take all of your advice on board and thank you for taking the time to write me such a detailed response Grinning 
Reply
  • in reply to DormouseAtRest_25

    Hey there Wave  thank you for your message.

    I know exactly what you mean about having to 'explain, translate, tone things down'. It's been an issue I've had since as long as I can remember. 

    I've always been very blunt and straight to the point. It comes across as me not caring, when in actual fact, I'm a very caring and compassionate person. I feel that I absorb people's emotions and take them on as my own, which is super draining. 

    But yeah, on the flip side, I can be very blunt which is so conflicting to my actual sensitive nature. 

    My main take on all of this is that I feel that I am at constant conflict within my brain. I'm not sure if that resonates or makes sense? 

    • I will make sure you take all of your advice on board and thank you for taking the time to write me such a detailed response Grinning 
Children
No Data