Hi everyone, similar story.

Hi everyone,

I am a 30 year old male and was diagnosed with ASD last month.

In short,

I’ve suffered from severe depression and anxiety since a very young age and have had a series of breakdowns since my late teens (which I am shocked to see how many people share a similar story with).

My last breakdown, which was a few years back, led me to talking about other possibilities. I actually have a younger brother with ASD (who funny enough, I suggested to ask for an assessment some years back) who I relate to very much. Strangely and unfathomably, I felt ASD would not be the case for me.

I guess some characteristics might be that I have sensitivity to light/sound (mainly) but less so to touch/smell where the formers can be a problem and lead to migraines. I am also very obsessive and literal. I find I get very distracted or zoned in on an interest which can be frustrating for others (my partner is probably to be highlighted here? ) but being distracted myself, is stressfull; I was also tested for deafness on a few occasions for this very reason during my school years (amusingly, I had acute hearing).

Much of youth was an intensely stressful struggle of socialising – so, as an outlet most of my time was put into playing/writing music which turned out to be one of the few things that would force me into socialising.

I am quite "chatty" (which might sound as a contradiction – however I find I can only socialise in small bursts) and very much empathetic.

Currently I feel relieved as it answers so many questions, however I am finding it difficult to process and would appreciate any advice that might have been helpful to you along the way.


So hi…and thanks for taking the time to look.

Jonathan