Recently Diagnosed and Don't know what to do

HiOscar 

Thats an interesting observation about neurotypical people. This area is one that gets me trouble more than others, my need to be honest and tell the truth.

I hope it’s easier for the the younger people although I suspect it’s probably not.

thank you very much for your replies, there is a masking that I will not be using again as this has caused me multiple anxiety disorders and since I cannot really understand social communication and how it really is and the layers of complications a back and forth conversation can go, it triggers my anxiousness affecting my mental health in addition to it is getting the majority of all the mental and physical energy that I have in addition to panic attacks

Hi Lonehare, 

I agree with you about not putting yourself under pressure about masking/unmasking.

I have been masking for over 70 years but not about everything. In the workplace sure but not always, at home sometimes as required, to myself probably a little, etc.
I am not entirely convinced about the apparent on/off simplicity of masking/unmasking. Is it really like an actor taking off the makeup and dropping the part they are playing. No, because to me masking is a much needed defence mechanism used in environments that I feel or are somewhat to very hostile. I don't feel the environments have changed that much over the years.

I am pretty sure that neurotypical people do not always tell the truth is this masking too - or is that just lying, feeling guilty, and for many other reasons.

I am old and may be it is a lot easier for younger people to unmask. I do hope so.  

Hi sunnysunshine and welcome.

I think that sounds like a great thing to do it will help you understand yourself a bit more.

I think masking/unmasking for me is something I try not to put myself under pressure to do, the unmasking bit anyway. I do unmask but only when I feel safe enough to do so.

Hopefully you’ll get some good advice on here.

Hi sunnysunshine,

Welcome to our online community.

Glad to hear you're receiving some answers. For many, getting an autism diagnosis helps make sense of experiences that may have felt confusing for years.

Our website has a diagnosis hub, this includes information, practical and multimedia resources to support autistic people and their families before during and after diagnosis.  

You may want to visit the other resources on our website, we have advice and guidance on a wide range of information about autism, socialising and relationships, communication and education: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance 

You can try searching on our Autism Services Directory for diagnostic services in your local area.  The Directory also includes listings for support and social groups for autistic people, their families and friends. 

Knowing what causes distressed behaviour can help you to develop ways of dealing with it. On the National Autistic Society's advice and guidance section about behaviour has practical information and tips to support autistic people:

• Masking https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/masking   
• Meltdowns https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/meltdowns  

I hope you find this information useful.

Rishma Mod