Just diagnosed and feel like I’m going backwards

Exactly as you have said, once you embrace your uniqueness, I think the other things will start to make more sense. I don't imagine it will ever be an easy ride for us all, but that's the price to pay for a brain that sees the world differently

Haha I love that.

When I look at the Ladbrokes sign I think they must have the s in the wrong place. Shouldn't it be Lads broke?

I sometimes think I spend far too much time fixating on signage and stuff that is clearly meant to make sense but which, technically, fails completely to do so . I'm forever misreading and mishearing things. One song I've known for years is about someone needing help and they ask (in the lyrics) "would you take me out for lunch?"

... There's me blissfully singing away to that and thinking 'why on earth is being taken out for lunch going to help a mental health crisis?'. 

Was a real Easter bunny thing for me when I finally read the lyrics to learn he was asking "would you talk me off the ledge". 

Oh, yeah, okay, can't argue there... That's a pretty viable ask in such a situation.

Good to know you feel the same on that too.

Thank you. Enjoy your Sunday.

Haha that took me a minute. I actually just turned around lol then I realised what you meant when I re read the title.

When I paid by card in a shop it said World pay and I had to double take because I thought it said Word play.

Hi Maja,

Comforting to know about the overthinking etc, that I'm not alone with this either. Makes perfect sense to me to identify by sharing own experiences. Small talk has always baffled me. It feels pointless and it's tiring to even try.

I'd love a cat - they are magical. 

Enjoy your Sunday :-)

If you like wordplay too... From your initial subject title: have you tried turning around?

Hi TwelveTwelve,

Good to read this and I agree in embracing our uniqueness. I think I am happy being me regardless. 

Thanks - we are definitely not alone anymore. I am still discovering what helps, but I know that creative writing and wordplay bring me joy. Find it hard coming out of it though - I think that's an autistic thing too. Always learning.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Yes I think it will. I have that hope. 

Hi Scentsibubble,

Similar to you, I have recently been diagnosed (38, male) and similar to you, I was in a state of overwhelm. I had never had any sort of neurological or mental health issue in my life (although was obviously undiagnosed as Autistic) . Then about a year ago I was on a work trip away from home, and froze up in the hotel, completely lost the ability to talk, and couldn't hold a thought for more than a few seconds, I thought I was having a stroke! Long story shot it put me on a path to a diagnosis of ASD. 

With that context, I completely understand what you have said above, I have found that the things that seem to focus my mind help, a big one for me is playing computer games, or reading up on areas of interest (Autism and world war 1 seem to be the current trend!) . But honestly, and I say this so that you don't feel alone, coping is something that I have yet to master! I think it may just be that we are on our own Autistic rollercoaster, and there will be highs and lows! It's been amazing to be able to jump into this community when the coping gets hard, sometimes just replying to a comment or posting for advice releases the pressure. It reminds me that there is a lot of people who can help and who feel the same, and that I am not some alien!

I also find solice in praying too. When I remember that it was God who made me this way, it makes me realise I should embrace my uniqueness.

One thing is for sure, you are not alone, there is loads of us!

Pets are always the best company! Enjoy  

Congratulations on your diagnosis, I received mine a few weeks ago and I’m 52! It definitely takes time to adjust to this new reality. I also feel I have regressed, but for me wanting to only eat certain things, craving sameness in my little world and struggling with change worse than usual. I assume it will get better with time. 

I too have that worry. So, we're together on this one

My greatest relief and co-regulation team are with me a.t.m. ... One cat curled up next to me on each side. (One half on me actually). My safe and happy place. And where I'm always 100% understood. 

Sounds like the perfect day you should try and accommodate more of that becuase your brain and nervous system likes it. 

So relatable, I’m the same writing on here over think it and think I’m talking about myself all the time. Apparently this is another spectrum thing, so when your in conversation with someone, we tend to share information and knowledge, rather than surface level small talk. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend hoping you feel a bit more refreshed

Thank you, yes it does.
Noise cancelling headphones and brown noise for me. Sometimes classical piano and sometimes complete silence. With a sock over my eyes if there’s still too much light.. a clean one obviously . I have a heated eye mask too but won’t use in this weather, but I find it so comforting when the weather is cooler, laying down listening to classical piano.

Healthy food definitely helps and meditation. I did some today.

Hi

Good to read your message. I really hear you. It’s great to hear from females of a similar age who are in the same boat. It is really difficult feeling so alone and misunderstood.

Hope we can all chat more. It has made me feel less alone already having identification with others. 

I had a better day today but probably because I had a quiet day to myself. Managed to make a healthy meal and do a bit of creative writing. 

Still feel like I don’t really know who I am. Sometimes I do. Then sometimes I wonder if I’m just operating on autopilot.

Still overthinking even writing on this forum. My head wonders if I’m doing it right and I think- I hope I’m not making it all about me- those kinds of thoughts. 

I guess it will all take time :-)

Sorry just wanted to add, I cope by saying no, and ignoring other people’s disappointment as much as I can, by allowing myself to rest. I cater to my sensory needs by darkening the room, sitting in silence, walking in nature, reading, deep breathing hot baths and meditating. I eat a healthy diet and don’t drink much. Very basic but essential. When I’m going on trips, I make sure I have my things around me that give me comfort and try to keep my routine as much as possible. Haha looks like I did have a few things to say after all. I find meditation and vagus nerve activation switches off my nervous system when I’ve ignored it all day / week. I hope some of this helps. 

Hi, I’m in a bit of a state of overwhelm and exhaustion myself so it’s hard for me to write anything interesting right now, but just wanted to say, I’m 48 female and just been diagnosed and I too am feeling like you. Also discovering that some people are not willing or interested to understand or anything positive so here we are still masking, feeling like I’m out here managing on my own in my own world. We just have to accommodate our selves with our own needs. I’ve discovered a lady on You Tube called Mom on the Spectrum. One of her videos today was about late diagnosed females / burnout / why all of a sudden we feel more of the autism differences we have always lived with but managed to over ride. Great to watch. Anyway Hi and I hope you are doing OK

Hiya,

Thank you. Great to be here.

Thank you :-)