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The Autistic Lorry Driver in need of help

MarkJ

Have just been diagnosed as Autistic at the age of 60, having been treated for depression since my late teens.  My Autistic Diagnosis has been with my GP for some time now, however, I have heard nothing from them.  I’m feeling at a complete loss and not sure if there’s a way out of this.  I go to bed most nights not feeling bothered if I wake up or not.  I’m managing to keep down my job just, but things seem to be spiralling.  It’s very difficult to remain positive.  I just need someone to listen and do something for me.

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  • MarkJ said:
    My Autistic Diagnosis has been with my GP for some time now, however, I have heard nothing from them.

    I don't think many GPs have the spare capacity to be proactive these days and go asking you if you need help, but the onus is on you to ask them for what you need.

    In your shoes I would consider the following approach:

    1 - read up on autism and understand which of the autistic traits are the ones causing issues for you. I would estimate this taking a few days of your spare time to read a book like "Autism For Dummies (2025) - ISBN 9781394301003 (paberback); ISBN 9781394301027 (ebook)" which is good for targetted reading of the bits that you want to know about.

    2 - Realise that good autism related therapy is very rare to find on the NHS. You can ask your doctor for some but I would not expect success as the NHS are quite limited in their resources too.

    If you can afford it, a private psychotherapist is the best thing you can invest in (in my opinion) so long as they have a track record of working with autists as we need a different approach to "normal" patients. At £50/hour they are remarkably good value but will take a few sessions to start seeing results.

    3 - Use the therapist for pointers on how to help yourself and take back control of your own mental health around this. Use the therapist to keep you on track, talk through your life experience with (this sounds a bit hippy but is actually critical to coming to terms with the lifelong trauma of the autistic experience and helps you deal with the defence mechanisms you use unknowingy that are often the source of your issues) and get to really find healthy coping mechanisms for the problems in your life.

    If always seems darkest at first but the knowledge of your condition is a great place to start with to steal its power over you. Your therapist will be your guide but you will be the one walking that path, making yourself stronger, wiser and better with every step.

    As the darkness starts to lift you will find more reasons for going on. Many here have been on a similar path to you so feel your pain but also know there is hope to be found if you find the right help.

    Of course I'm just some random off the internet and you shouldn't rely on what I say - do your own research and hopefully you will find something that works for you.

    Welcome to the club by the way.

Reply
  • MarkJ said:
    My Autistic Diagnosis has been with my GP for some time now, however, I have heard nothing from them.

    I don't think many GPs have the spare capacity to be proactive these days and go asking you if you need help, but the onus is on you to ask them for what you need.

    In your shoes I would consider the following approach:

    1 - read up on autism and understand which of the autistic traits are the ones causing issues for you. I would estimate this taking a few days of your spare time to read a book like "Autism For Dummies (2025) - ISBN 9781394301003 (paberback); ISBN 9781394301027 (ebook)" which is good for targetted reading of the bits that you want to know about.

    2 - Realise that good autism related therapy is very rare to find on the NHS. You can ask your doctor for some but I would not expect success as the NHS are quite limited in their resources too.

    If you can afford it, a private psychotherapist is the best thing you can invest in (in my opinion) so long as they have a track record of working with autists as we need a different approach to "normal" patients. At £50/hour they are remarkably good value but will take a few sessions to start seeing results.

    3 - Use the therapist for pointers on how to help yourself and take back control of your own mental health around this. Use the therapist to keep you on track, talk through your life experience with (this sounds a bit hippy but is actually critical to coming to terms with the lifelong trauma of the autistic experience and helps you deal with the defence mechanisms you use unknowingy that are often the source of your issues) and get to really find healthy coping mechanisms for the problems in your life.

    If always seems darkest at first but the knowledge of your condition is a great place to start with to steal its power over you. Your therapist will be your guide but you will be the one walking that path, making yourself stronger, wiser and better with every step.

    As the darkness starts to lift you will find more reasons for going on. Many here have been on a similar path to you so feel your pain but also know there is hope to be found if you find the right help.

    Of course I'm just some random off the internet and you shouldn't rely on what I say - do your own research and hopefully you will find something that works for you.

    Welcome to the club by the way.

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