Hi

Hi and welcome to the community! 

Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for us to feel lonely and isolated.

In addition to hopefully enjoying this community and making some connections here, you might also find it helpful to read the advice in these articles:

NAS - Loneliness - includes links to examples of some other autistic people's experiences of loneliness and how they cope.

NAS - Making friends - a guide for autistic adults

You might also be able to find some socialising opportunities via the in the NAS's directory - whether through a local NAS branch, or other types of support group or social programmes:

NAS - Autism Services Directory

NAS - Branches

Finally, you could ask your GP for a referral to a social prescriber. Their role is to work with you, potentially over several sessions, in order to develop a personalised care and support plan that meets your practical, social and emotional needs.

Hi Bunny. Nice username! Thank you for the links good of you to find them, they are interesting reading. Hopefully they can help me with these things, I haven't done well trying to help myself, it was kind of like I was diagnosed and it explained so much but also left me on my own with no idea what to do next.

I'm on a waiting list for help with my autism and ADHD, but so far I haven't heard anything about it.

A social prescriber sounds like it would be helpful. Never heard of someone like that but its the sort of thing I think would help me.

I spend most of my time on my own, too anxious to get out and be around others.

Thanks for your help.

You’re most welcome!

Berrybunny said:

it was kind of like I was diagnosed and it explained so much but also left me on my own with no idea what to do next.

I completely understand this feeling! It’s just like how I felt, around 18 months ago.

Your assessment report should have outlined some suggested next steps. Also, the advice articles here could be particularly helpful to you in respect of this:

NAS - After diagnosis

Therapy is often recommended after a diagnosis, which our GPs can arrange (you may also be able to self refer). If you go down that route, you might find it helpful to borrow or buy this book, which includes discussion of various types of therapy and counselling, together with advice on choosing the right therapist or counsellor - all from an autistic person's viewpoint. Several of us here have found it very helpful, including me:

The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy

You’re most welcome!

Berrybunny said:

it was kind of like I was diagnosed and it explained so much but also left me on my own with no idea what to do next.

I completely understand this feeling! It’s just like how I felt, around 18 months ago.

Your assessment report should have outlined some suggested next steps. Also, the advice articles here could be particularly helpful to you in respect of this:

NAS - After diagnosis

Therapy is often recommended after a diagnosis, which our GPs can arrange (you may also be able to self refer). If you go down that route, you might find it helpful to borrow or buy this book, which includes discussion of various types of therapy and counselling, together with advice on choosing the right therapist or counsellor - all from an autistic person's viewpoint. Several of us here have found it very helpful, including me:

The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy

Well I'm always being told I need therapy so that might not be a bad idea lol

I don't think my gp recommended this but I was younger then so maybe it wasn't a thing then. I have a deep fear of doctors and hospitals so I try to avoid them if I can but I'm due to see my gp in the next month, I can ask then

I'll have a look at that book.