Published on 12, July, 2020
Depression is a coat I’ve been wearing since I was 16. It’s a garment for all seasons. It’s the air I often breathe. I wish I knew that I was autistic when I was that scared, traumatised 16-year-old. I had absolutely no idea. And now, in my 40s, I understand: I’m autistic in a random, brutal world, when I all I crave is peace. It’s no wonder that, like many other autists, I feel depressed. However, it’s not all doom and gloom – finally knowing that I’m autistic has led to me connecting with fellow autists, and as a result, I feel less alone and less depressed than I did all those years ago.
Here's an 'Autistic Not Alien' video about depression: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzvqipWBSjs
I'm happy things are better for you now. I definitely started feeling better too after knowing about autism, I experienced new struggles yes but overall it was worth it.
I'm happy for you too, Ryan. Knowledge is power and the key to self-forgiveness. We need to be kind to ourselves.